Title
Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee, to sign the Tri-County Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Project Agreement for the period March 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 with Santa Cruz County Human Services Department, and San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee, to sign the Tri-County Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Project Agreement for the period March 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 with Santa Cruz County Human Services Department, and San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Senate Bill (SB) 855 amends Section 300 of the Welfare & Institutions Code (W&IC) to extend jurisdiction of the juvenile court to children who are identified as being commercially sexually exploited, and whose parent/guardians have failed, or have been unable, to protect them. In response, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has developed The Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Program. This program is elective for counties who wish to receive funding for the purpose of developing and implementing a protocol to address prevention and intervention services for children who are victims, or at risk of becoming victims, of commercial sexual exploitation.
In an effort to be innovative and proactive with the CSEC Program, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties have agreed to develop a Tri-County CSEC Protocol with the goal of creating an effective program which will serve the needs of the three counties within and across county jurisdictions. These efforts aim to recognize common barriers and strengths within the three counties, to include: limited funding made available by CDSS for protocol development, limited resources for CSEC victims in the counties, the close proximity of the counties, and their history of collaboration and cooperation. Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito County have been allotted a combined funding amount of $105,283 from CDSS, which is comprised of $43,503, $41,577, and $20,203 for each county, respectively. These funds will be combined in order to meet the cost of hiring a consultant to facilitate the project process, as well as the cost of conducting business pursuant to the protocol development (to include the cost of conducting meetings, kick-off and closing events, mandatory staff, youth, and caregiver trainings, etc.).
This Agreement represents the collaborative efforts of the three counties to implement a shared CSEC Protocol. In consideration of the time constraints associated with this funding, as well as the need for each of the counties to obtain Board approval, this Agreement is being signed in counterpart.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this Agreement. County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
Funding for the Department's share of costs will be provided by state general funds. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
Prepared by: Patricia Hernandez, MA II, x6768
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4434
Attachments: Tri-County Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Project Agreement
Proposed Agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report