Title
a. Approve and authorize the Acting Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies for $382,584 to support the Resource Family Approval Program throughout Monterey County for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Director or the Acting 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% ($38,258) 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 with Seneca Family of Agencies for $382,584 to support the Resource Family Approval Program throughout Monterey County for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Director or the Acting 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% ($38,258) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies (Seneca) is to provide the Department of Social Services - Family and Children’s Services with assistance in supporting our Resource Family Approvals (RFA).
RFA was authorized through Senate Bill 1013 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2012) and requires the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the county welfare agencies, foster parent associations, and other interested community parties, to implement a unified, family friendly and child-centered resource family approval process. Prior to RFA, there was a different application, assessment, and approval process for relatives, near-kin, licensed foster family home, guardianship homes, and adoptive homes. This multi-faceted approach resulted in some duplication of assessments, paperwork and potential delays to permanency for children and families. RFA prepares families to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system and allows seamless transition to permanency. Monterey County began implementation on March 1, 2016.
Seneca is a full-service agency providing assessment, training and support to Resource Families and continues to provide services focused on retention efforts to ensure children remain in Monterey County. In 2018, Monterey County approved 82 resource family homes. Seneca assisted with these approvals by interviewing families, providing 1:1 training, and completing 43 family evaluations.
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 by Social Services Federal and State revenues. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for SOC005 are included in the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget. FY 2020-21 costs will be included in the corresponding budget request.
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 foster children by expanding capacity for timely completion of Resource Family Approvals in partnership with Seneca Family of Agencies.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
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Prepared by: Chelsea Chacon, MAII, x8596
Approved by: Henry Espinosa, Acting Director, x4430
Attachments: Seneca (RFA) Agreement
Original agreement is filed with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report