Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with New Families for Intensive Treatment Foster Care (ITFC) Services for eligible foster care youth for the period retroactive to July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement, where the amendment does 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 New Families for Intensive Treatment Foster Care (ITFC) Services for eligible foster care youth for the period retroactive to July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement, where the amendment does not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The agreement with New Families provides Intensive Treatment Foster Care (ITFC) Services to foster children who suffer from emotional disturbance or serious behavioral problems. The goal of the agreement is to improve outcomes for foster youth by reducing group home placements, length of residential, individual or group mental health treatment services, successfully transitioning and maintaining eligible children in family environments and increasing the establishment of permanency for children in foster care. Presently, twenty-two (22) of the foster children in the care of Monterey County are placed in an ITFC.
As is required of an ITFC Provider by W&I Code §18358, New Families is a Foster Family Agency (FFA). Founded in 1999, New Families has since provided services to foster youth from infancy to age 18 and certified foster families. The agreement outlines terms and conditions between New Families and Monterey County Department of Social Services, which are in accordance with statutory requirements set forth within W&I Code §18358. This agreement also includes provisions to ensure compliance with changes that may result from Child Welfare Continuum of Care Reform (CWCCR) currently being implemented for child welfare agencies State wide.
This agreement is delayed due to the implementation of the CWCCR which caused late changes to the agreement to maintain compliance with new policies.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor/Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved as to form.
FINANCING:
Funding for these services is provided through State and Federal Foster Care Payments. Approval of this action has no impact on the County General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This amendment 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 children in intensive foster care treatment.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Patricia L. Hernández, MAII, x6768
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: New Families ITFC Agreement 2016-19
Proposed agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.