Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment No. 1 to agreement A-12864 with Aspiranet for operation of the CHERISH Receiving Center adding $39,326 to include Emergency Shelter Foster Homes (ESFH), increasing the total contract amount to $208,461 for the period July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($16,914) 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 to sign Amendment #1 to agreement A-12864 with Aspiranet for operation of the CHERISH Receiving Center adding $39,326, effective May 1, 2016, to include Emergency Shelter Foster Homes (ESFH), increasing the total contract amount to $208,461 for the period July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016; and
b) Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($16,914) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Aspiranet operates the CHERISH Receiving Center which provides a safe and nurturing environment for children 0-17 years of age who have been removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect, or a disruption in their foster care placement. These children need a safe and comfortable place to stay until their home issues are resolved, or until they can be placed with a foster family. Through a successful collaboration between Aspiranet and the Department of Social Services’ Family & Children’s Services Branch, the CHERISH Receiving Center has been able to provide a child-friendly, safe, home-like environment for children in need. However, children can 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.
On some occasions, children cannot be placed within 23 hours. One of the factors preventing quick placement is the difficulty in finding a more permanent living situation, especially given the reduced availability of licensed foster care placements in our County. Therefore, one of the needs identified by the County is for the availability of additional beds for children that need more than 23 hours to find a suitable placement. One solution is the Emergency Shelter Foster Homes (ESFH) program, whereby the County can provide additional beds to children that could not be placed within 23 hours. Under the ESFH program children may stay in identified safe living environments for up to 30 days while a more permanent living solution is found.
This amendment to the original agreement will provide for an extension of CHERISH services into ESFH service provision that will ensure that we are able to maintain the CHERISH facility within its 23 hour mandate but at the same time transition youth who need more time in finding suitable placement into a 30-day foster home, while at the same time supporting the Department of Social Services’ efforts in locating appropriate placements.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this Amendment. County Counsel has approved the Amendment 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, MAIII, x3525
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: ASPIRINET, Amendment #1
Proposed amendment is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report