Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies to support the Resource Family Approval Program, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 in the amount of $403,674; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three future amendments where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($40,367) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work not to exceed maximum of $444,041.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies to support the Resource Family Approval Program, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 in the amount of $403,674; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three future amendments where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($40,367) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work not to exceed maximum of $444,041.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Resource Family Approval (RFA) program was authorized through Senate Bill 1013 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2012) and requires the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the county welfare agencies, foster parent associations, and other interested community parties, to implement a unified, family friendly and child-centered resource family approval process. Prior to RFA, there were different application, assessment, and approval processes for relatives, near-kin and licensed foster family, guardianship and adoptive homes.
This agreement will fund Seneca Family of Agencies to support the RFA Program to ensure families are assessed for RFA approval in a timely manner. This includes ensuring open communication with the Department of Social Services - Family & Children’s Services, oversight of adherence to RFA requirements and time frames, discussion and decision making regarding written referral and assessment issues, evaluation of contract usage and effectiveness, and making recommendations for processing, or process modifications.
Seneca is a full-service agency providing family evaluation assessments to resource families and continues to provide services focused on retention efforts to ensure children remain in Monterey County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to form, as has the Auditor- Controller’s Office as to financial provisions.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded by Social Services Federal and State revenues. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues of $199,839 in SOC005 are included in the FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget and FY 2024-25 will incorporate appropriations/revenues of $203,835 in the corresponding 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 foster children by expanding capacity for timely completion of Resource Family Approvals in partnership with Seneca Family of Agencies.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
__Administration
X_Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Chelsea Chacon, Management Analyst III, x8596
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachment: Agreement
Proposed agreement is filed with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.