Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Rebekah Children’s Services (RCS) for $806,000 for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 to provide intensive Wraparound Care Coordination for foster youth and their families; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement, where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($80,600) 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 an agreement with Rebekah Children’s Services (RCS) for $806,000 for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 to provide intensive Wraparound Care Coordination for foster youth and their families; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement, where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($80,600) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Wraparound Monterey County offers an alternative service provision to return or keep foster children with high needs in the community, ideally reuniting children safely with their families of origin. The program collaborates between many partners with referrals coming through the Monterey County Department of Social Services and Probation Department in partnership with Children’s Behavioral Health. Monterey County has been operating a collaborative Wraparound program since 2002.
Wraparound Monterey County (WMC) provides an enhanced provision of case management, quality of individual and family services, with a clear cost effective fiscal model. This model includes a Wraparound Care Coordinator Function, a Wraparound Administrative Service Function, and a Wraparound Provider Network. In general, Wraparound is a process used to support families by bringing a group of people together as a team to help families accomplish the goal of living together safely and productively. It is accomplished by planning and delivering services that build on family strengths and meet the needs that have been identified with the family as being essential for achieving positive outcomes (safety, permanence and well-being). Rebekah Children’s Services (RCS) provides the Care Coordination function of Wraparound, meaning they coordinate the process and service needs. The provision of Wraparound Monterey County also responds to the Katie A vs. Bonta class action lawsuit which improves the provision of mental health and supportive services for children in, or at imminent risk of placement in, foster care in California. Wraparound Monterey County addresses the requirements of this lawsuit.
RCS is a non-profit agency that has been providing services to families for over 100 years. In 2015, RCS served 57 high need families and children via WMC (defined as families in WMC more than 60 days). Fifty-five (55%) percent of the identified WMC children successfully graduated from the program at exit. Close to 30% of these children successfully reunified with their parents, despite their significant needs and their longer than average time in out-of-home placement, and left the foster care or probation systems. The remaining 25% of graduating children lived with relatives or in concurrent home placements at exit.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded with the Wrap Flex revenues. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget. There is no impact to the County General Fund contributions.
Prepared by: Virginia Pierce, MA III, x 8784
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: Rebekah Children’s Services Agreement 2016/17
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report