Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign the agreement awarded from RFP #10637 to Seneca Family of Agencies for $1,480,920 to provide best practices in response to the requirements set forth in the Continuum of Care Reform specifically as it relates to the scheduling and facilitating of Child and Family Team meetings and providing Family Finding and Engagement for the period March 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020;
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% ($148,092) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work; and
c. Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY2017-18 Adopted Budget in the Department of Social Services Unit 001-5010-SOC005-8262 to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $207,481 (4/5ths vote required)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign the agreement awarded from RFP #10637 to Seneca Family of Agencies for $1,480,920 to provide best practices in response to the requirements set forth in the Continuum of Care Reform specifically as it relates to the scheduling and facilitating of Child and Family Team meetings and providing Family Finding and Engagement for the period March 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020;
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% ($148,092) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work; and
c. Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY2017-18 Adopted Budget in the Department of Social Services Unit 001-5010-SOC005-8262 to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $207,481 (4/5ths vote required)
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.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) issued RFP #10637 in October of 2017 and three responsive proposals were received from Door to Hope, Rebekah’s Children’s Services, and Seneca Family of Agencies. Seneca Family of Agencies was tentatively awarded the Agreement and it is being brought for your Board’s approval. Two significant components of CCR are addressed through this Agreement. One is the requirement for counties to actively seek out and support familial and community connections for children and youth in out-of-home care. This is commonly known as “Family Finding and Engagement” (FFE) and the provision of this service is a primary outcome of this Agreement. Secondly, CCR also requires the development of the Child and Family Team (CFT) approach for all children and youth in foster care. The CFT model provides the context and requires shared responsibility to assess, plan, intervene, monitor, and refine services over time as a child or youth remains in out-of-home 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 or youth.
The California Department of Social Services composed ACL NO. 16-84 which outlines and provides a broad overview of the requirements and guidelines of the CFT process. The need for planning, scheduling, facilitating, documenting, and preparing all children, youth and families for a CFT exceeds internal capacity for both Monterey County Family and Children’s Services and Probation. CFTs also require that a neutral party to act as a facilitator.
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 CFT allocation. CFT funding is allocated annually to Monterey County Social Services - Family and Children’s Services and Juvenile Probation Departments to serve eligible families. Additional funding is also provided through Social Services Realignment funds. DSS recommends increasing appropriations and estimated revenues by $207,481 for the Department of Social Services Unit 001-5010-SOC005-8262 in the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget. Future fiscal year costs will be included in the Budget Request for FY2018-19 and FY 2019-20.
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.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
__Administration
X_Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Ginger Pierce, MAIII x8784
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: Seneca Agreement, Seneca Resolution
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report