Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Monterey County Office of Education to support Foster Youth services for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, in the amount of $716,133; 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% ($71,613) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $787,746.
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 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Monterey County Office of Education to support Foster Youth services for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, in the amount of $716,133; 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% ($71,613) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $787,746.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will allow the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) to partner with the Department of Social Services to provide services described in Education Code Section 42921 to children living in licensed foster homes, or with approved relatives or near-kin. This will be accomplished through the leveraging of federal funding for Foster Youth Services as a match to IV-E administrative funding.
The leveraging provided for in this MOU will allow services to be provided to a larger group of foster youth to support their overall educational attainment and stability, while improving communication and information between education providers and case managers. It is expected that this partnership will increase referrals for mentoring, counseling, and transition/emancipation services, as well as ensure the identification of service-related gaps.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to legal form, as has the Auditor-Controller’s Office as to the financial provisions.
FINANCING:
The funding for these services is provided as a pass-through from Social Security Act Title IV-E through the California Department of Social Services. The eligible expenses are included in the Department’s quarterly request for reimbursement and MCOE is providing the required match, approximately 62.5% based upon the federal discount rate, There are sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in the Social Services SOC005 FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget and future years will be incorporated into the budget process. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
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 foster children by expanding the Department’s ability to keep children in out of home care in their schools of origin.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Sara Sturtevant, Management Analyst II, x4413
Approved by Roderick W. Franks, Director, x4430
Attachments: Agreement
The proposed Agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report There is no impact to the County General Fund.