Title
a. Approve and authorize the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Monterey County Office of Education for a term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023 to leverage $206,381 in FY2019-20 Title IV-E Administrative funding to support Foster Youth Services;
b. Authorize the Acting Director or the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the IV-E Administrative Memorandum of Understanding establishing the future fiscal year financial obligations of both parties, which do not significantly change the scope of work;
c. Approve and authorize the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services and Chief Probation Officer to sign an Interagency Transportation Agreement with the Monterey County Office of Education, Monterey County Probation Department, and Monterey County School Districts for a term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023 to provide transportation to the school of origin for children in foster care with funding governed through the Title IV-E Administrative Foster Youth Services Memorandum of Understanding; and
d. Authorize the Director or the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services and Chief Probation Officer to sign up to three (3) amendments to the Interagency Transportation Agreement where the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Monterey County Office of Education for a term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023 to leverage $206,381 in FY2019-20 Title IV-E Administrative funding to support Foster Youth Services;
b. Authorize the Acting Director or the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the IV-E Administrative Memorandum of Understanding establishing the future fiscal year financial obligations of both parties, which do not significantly change the scope of work;
c. Approve and authorize the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services and Chief Probation Officer to sign an Interagency Transportation Agreement with the Monterey County Office of Education, Monterey County Probation Department, and Monterey County School Districts for a term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023 to provide transportation to the school of origin for children in foster care with funding governed through the Title IV-E Administrative Foster Youth Services Memorandum of Understanding; and
d. Authorize the Director or the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services and Chief Probation Officer to sign up to three (3) amendments to the Interagency Transportation Agreement where the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Title IV-E Administrative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will allow Monterey County Office of Education 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 amount of Title IV-E funding varies from year to year, which is why the Board of Supervisors is being asked to allow for three amendments of this MOU to be signed by the Director of the Department of Social Services which will establish future fiscal year funding.
Through this MOU, services will 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.
Additional funding for transportation services to keep foster youth in their School of Origin when it is in their best interest will be provided, arranged, and funded for the duration of their time in foster care through the Interagency Transportation Agreement. Funding terms and conditions for the transportation services are set forth within the Title IV-E Administrative MOU but the transportation program is governed through the Interagency Transportation Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved the two agreements. County Counsel has approved both agreements as to form. Monterey County Probation has reviewed and approved the Interagency Transportation Agreement.
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. The expenses and the revenue are included in the Department’s FY2019-20 Recommended Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Health & Human Services and Administrative Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Departments of Social Services and Probation to partner with agencies throughout the County to improve the quality of life for foster children by expanding the Department’s ability to keep children in out of home care and in their schools of origin.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__ Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Sara Sturtevant, MAII, x4413
Approved by: Henry Espinosa, Acting Director, x4430
Approved by: Marcia Parsons, Chief Probation Officer, x3911
Attachments: IV-E Administrative MOU, Interagency Transportation Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report