Title
a) Approve and authorize the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement for $402,500 with Aspiranet for operation of the Visitation Center for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020; and
b) Authorize the Acting Director or 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% ($40,250) 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 Acting Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement for $402,500 with Aspiranet for operation of the Visitation Center for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020; and
b) Authorize the Acting Director or 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% ($40,250) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In 2017, the Department of Social Services, Family and Children Services opened a Visitation Center in Salinas. The intent of a Visitation Center is to provide a safe homelike environment (non-institutional) in which a parent/s, or interested parties, can interact with child/ren to develop positive parenting skills, maintain contact, and facilitate bonding while under the supervision of parent coaches, mentors, therapists and/or staff. On April 27, 2017 the first visit was conducted. Since its inception, the Visitation Center has conducted over 4,700 visits. Each year averaging over 2,000 visits.
Aspiranet operates the Visitation Center, which is a court ordered service that is an essential component of a Case Plan for Family Reunification when child/ren have been removed from the custody of their parents as the result of child abuse and/or neglect and/or to facilitate contact with parties who have a connection with the child.
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, State and Realignment revenues. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC005 are included in the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement 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 at risk of abuse and neglect by expanding the Department’s ability to work in collaboration with the community.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X_Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Edward Juárez-Lefèvre, MA III x3525
Approved by: Henry Espinosa, Acting Director
Department of Social Services x4430
Attachment: Aspiranet agreement 2019-20
Proposed agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report