Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #1 to Agreement A-13849 with Seneca Family of Agencies by adding $161,082 for a revised contract total of $1,642,002 for the period of March 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020, to help transition youth from residential care facilities to family-based settings and to provide an administrative support at Child and Family Team meetings; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($164,200) of the current amended contract amount, and 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 Amendment #1 to Agreement A-13849 with Seneca Family of Agencies by adding $161,082 for a revised contract total of $1,642,002 for the period of March 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020, to help transition youth from residential care facilities to family-based settings and to provide an administrative support at Child and Family Team meetings; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($164,200) of the current amended contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) was established to keep children and youth in their homes whenever possible. When children and youth must be separated from their biological parents, CCR sets in place fundamental principles and requirements. One being that all children should live in a permanent home with a caring, loving adult and the second being that child welfare services are most effective when delivered in the context of the best interests of a child or youth and are delivered in a manner that is family-centered. Two significant components of CCR are addressed through this Agreement. One is “Family Finding and Engagement” (FFE), and the other is the development of the “Child and Family Team” (CFT) approach for all children and youth in foster care. Regular CFTs must be provided to all children and youth who are experiencing out-of-home care because of foster care placement for both Child Welfare and Probation children and youth.
The purpose of this amendment is to add $161,082 to support ongoing CCR efforts in the FY 19-20 budget. The amount of $45,082 will provide administrative support and note taking at CFT meetings, previously done by Social Work Supervisors during the role out period. CFTs facilitation is at full contract capacity, facilitating over 50 CFTs per month. It is not cost or time efficient to have two county staff attend each CFT. This is an agreed upon solution. The amount of $116,000 to the FY 19-20 budget is being added to implement the Active Supportive Intervention Services for Transition (ASIST) program. This is additional funding that came from CDSS to provide short-term resources to aid in the transition of all children and youth residing in residential placements to family-based settings. ASIST augments existing programs and funds that provide extensive family-finding efforts, specialized permanency services, targeting ongoing transition support, and youth/caregiver coaching to reinforce permanency and achieve stabilization.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this Agreement. County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is partially funded though Federal Title IV-E, Federal Adoption and Legal Guardianship Incentive funds, and State General Fund. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC005 are included in the FY2019-20 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Department to improve the quality of life for children who have been victims, or are at high risk, of abuse or neglect. This Agreement helps the most vulnerable families in the County to reunite whenever safe and appropriate, supporting an inclusive planning process to assure the services and supports they need are decided upon and provided via a communicative, team-based process.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Chelsea Chacon, MAII x8596
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: Original Agreement, Amendment #1
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report