Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) for leveraging of Title IV-E Foster Care Administrative funds, and to establish current fiscal year financial obligations of both parties for the period July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) future Fiscal Year agreements establishing the financial obligations of both parties, which do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) for leveraging of Title IV-E Foster Care Administrative funds, and to establish current fiscal year financial obligations of both parties for the period July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) future Fiscal Year agreements establishing the financial obligations of both parties, which do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will allow the Monterey County Department of Social Services (DSS) to partner with the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) to provide services described in Education Code § 42921 to children living in licensed foster homes, or living with approved relatives or near-kin. Some of the services described in §42921 include tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and transitioning and emancipation services. The MOU between DSS and the MCOE will facilitate services to a larger group of foster youth to support their overall educational attainment and stability while, at the same time, improving communication and information between education providers and case managers.
The provision of services will be accomplished through the leveraging of federal funding for Foster Youth Services as a match to Title IV-E administrative funding for Foster Care and Adoptions.
Title IV-E reimbursement rates are established by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Consequently, renewals of this agreement are required annually in order to establish the financial obligations of both DSS and MCOE since the Title IV-E reimbursement rate varies from year to year. The Department is seeking approval for the DSS Director to sign up to three (3) future agreements consistent with Title IV-E reimbursement rates established by CDSS. Since the County share of the rate is based on a pass-through of outside funds, such delegation will permit continuity of service while not exposing the County to additional financial liability.
The timing of this agreement is dependent on notification of the Foster Youth Services allocation for MCOE as awarded by California Department of Education in order to determine the fiscal obligations of the parties.
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 these services is provided as a pass through from Social Security Act Title IV-E through the California Department of Social Services. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC005 are included in the FY 2015-16 Adopted Budget. There is no impact to the County General Fund contributions.
Prepared by: Daniel Bach, MA III, x3525
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: M.C.O.E. Title IV-E Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report