Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Wayfinder Family Services to provide family finding and engagement services to child welfare and probation youth and supportive services to kinship caregivers who are caring for foster youth in Monterey County for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 with a contract total of $1,356,611; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($135,661) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate of $1,492,272.
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 Wayfinder Family Services to provide family finding and engagement services to child welfare and probation youth and supportive services to kinship caregivers who are caring for foster youth in Monterey County for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 with a contract total of $1,356,611; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($135,661) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate of $1,492,272.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this agreement is to provide family finding and engagement services to Monterey County child welfare and probation youth who need a network of support or a permanent home and to provide supportive services to kinship resource parents who are caring for foster youth in Monterey County. The goals of these services are to increase the number of relatives and kin who are involved in a foster child’s life and to ensure kinship caregivers have the supports they need to provide permanency to youth in foster care. It is anticipated the Family Finder will be able to serve 7-9 youth at a time for about 6-8 months, and the Kinship Navigator will be able to provide case management to 7-10 caregivers annually with ongoing support groups and trainings for all kinship caregivers in Monterey County. Wayfinder Family Services will be opening an office in Monterey County in order to provide these services locally.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Agreement. County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
Funding is provided by Excellence in Family Finding and Engagement Support (EFFES) Allocation, flexible Wraparound funds, and Realignment funds. EFFES has a 50% match requirement which will be provided through the wraparound and realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and revenues in the Social Services Fund 001-5010-SOC005 are included in the FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Health & Human Services and Administration Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing family finding and kinship support for families receiving child welfare services.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Chelsea R. Chacon, Management Analyst III, Ext. 8596
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director. Ext. 4430
Attachment: Wayfinder Family Services Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.