Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee, to sign an agreement for $169,135 with Aspiranet for operation of the CHERISH Receiving Center for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee, to sign up to (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee, to sign an agreement for $169,135 with Aspiranet for operation of the CHERISH Receiving Center for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee, to sign up to (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Contractor operates the CHERISH Receiving Center which provides a safe and nurturing environment for children 0-18 years of age who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or a disruption in foster care placement. These children need a safe, comfortable place to stay until their home issues are resolved, or until they can be placed with a foster family. The Center offers this nurturing and supportive environment for children when they are first placed in protective custody. Children only stay at the CHERISH Receiving Center for a maximum of 23 hours while safety concerns are resolved or placements in foster care, or with relatives, are arranged.
The CHERISH Receiving Center provides a child-friendly, safe, home-like environment through the successful collaboration between Aspiranet and County’s Family & Children’s Services. The trained childcare staff cares for the immediate basic needs of each child such as bathing, providing clean clothes, lice treatments, meals and engagement in age-appropriate activities. Children also receive medical and behavioral health assessments that follow them when they leave the Center.
The Department of Social Services, in continuing its dedication to the children subjected to abuse and/or neglect, and in order to support those children through the trauma experienced through removal from their homes, seeks to continue services with Aspiranet for the operation of the CHERISH Receiving Center.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
Funding for these services is provided with a combination of Federal revenues and Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOCOO5 are included in the FY 2015-16 Adopted Budget. Approval of this action has no impact on the County General Fund.
Prepared by: Daniel Bach, MA III, x3525
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4434
Attachment: ASPIRINET agreement 2015/16
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report