Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies for $1,602,372 to provide best practices in response to the requirements set forth in the Continuum of Care Reform specifically as it relates to the scheduling and facilitating of Child and Family Team meetings, conducting Family Finding and Engagement, and providing Active Supportive Intervention Services for Transition (ASIST) retroactive to July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022; 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% ($160,237) 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 Seneca Family of Agencies for $1,602,372 to provide best practices in response to the requirements set forth in the Continuum of Care Reform specifically as it relates to the scheduling and facilitating of Child and Family Team meetings, conducting Family Finding and Engagement, and providing Active Supportive Intervention Services for Transition (ASIST) retroactive to July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022; 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% ($160,237) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) was established to keep children in their homes whenever possible. When children must be separated from their biological parents, CCR sets in place fundamental principles and requirements to ensure decisions are being made in the best interest of the child. A core principle of CCR is that all children should live in a permanent home with a caring, loving adult. Another principle is that child welfare services are most effective when delivered in a manner that is family centered. Two significant components of CCR are addressed through this Agreement. One is Family Finding and Engagement (FFE), and the other is the development of the Child and Family Team (CFT) approach for all children in foster care. The CFT is comprised of the child, the parent(s), the caregiver, family members, the social worker/probation officer, and the therapist. Regular CFT meetings must be facilitated by a third party and provided to all children who are experiencing out-of-home care in order to include families in the decision-making process. The need for planning, scheduling, facilitating, documenting, and preparing all children and families for a CFT meeting exceeds internal capacity for both Monterey County Family and Children’s Services and Probation. Active Supportive Intervention Services for Transition (ASIST) augments existing programs and funds that provide extensive family-finding efforts, specialized permanency services, targeting ongoing transition support, and youth/caregiver coaching to reinforce permanency and achieve stabilization.
The purpose of this Agreement is to ensure that CFT, FFE, and ASIST services continue for Monterey County families and to adhere to the requirements and best practices of CCR. Since 2018, Seneca Family of Agencies has received 40 referrals for CFT’s/FFE and have provided services to 54 children. Since November 2019, Seneca Family of Agencies has also provided ASIST to 11 youth in order to transition them out of residential placements and into home-based settings.
This agreement was delayed in being brought for Board consideration prior to the effective date due to County delays in administrative processing.
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 though federal and state funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC005 are included in the FY2020-21 Adopted Budget. Costs for FY 2021-22 will be requested through the corresponding annual budget process.
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 who have been victims, or are at high risk, of abuse or neglect. This Agreement helps the most vulnerable families in the County to reunite whenever safe and appropriate, supporting an inclusive planning process to assure the services and supports they need are decided upon and provided via a communicative, team-based process.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__ Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Chelsea R. Chacon, Management Analyst III, Ext. 8596
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director. Ext. 4430
Attachment: Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report