Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Aspiranet for Resource Family Approval family evaluations with for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $383,562; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($38,356) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $421,918.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Aspiranet for Resource Family Approval family evaluations with for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $383,562; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($38,356) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $421,918.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Resource Family Approval (RFA) program was authorized through Senate Bill 1013 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2012) and requires the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the county welfare agencies, foster parent associations, and other interested community parties, to implement a unified, family friendly and child-centered resource family approval process. Prior to RFA, there were different application, assessment, and approval processes for relatives, near-kin and licensed foster family, guardianship and adoptive homes.
This agreement will fund Aspiranet to support the RFA Program to ensure families are assessed for RFA approval in a timely manner. This includes ensuring open communication with the Department of Social Services - Family & Children’s Services, oversight of adherence to RFA requirements and time frames, discussion and decision making regarding written referral and assessment issues, evaluation of contract usage and effectiveness, and making recommendations for processing, or process modifications.
Aspiranet is a full-service agency providing family evaluation assessments to resource families and continues to provide services focused on retention efforts to ensure children remain in Monterey County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to form, as has the Auditor-Controller’s Office as to financial provisions.
FINANCING:
This agreement is fully funded with State RFA revenues. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for SOC005 are included in the FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget and FY 2026-27 will be included in the corresponding budget process.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Health and Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Department to improve the quality of life for foster children by expanding capacity for timely completion of Resource Family Approvals in partnership with Aspiranet.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Alexis Boerlage, MA II, x4737
Approved by: Roderick Franks, Director, x4430
Attachments: Agreement
The proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report