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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment 1 to Agreement for Services 212 (101-S1810) with Teri Gelgood, doing business as Creating Joy Now, for the provision of Therapeutic Counseling and Parenting Classes, increasing the maximum obligation by $150,000 effective upon execution of Amendment 1, for a new maximum contractual obligation of $215,477, with no change to the term of November 1, 2017 through August 31, 2020;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is more economical and feasible to contract with Teri Gelgood, doing business as Creating Joy Now for services provided under this Agreement 212 because the County lacks the licensed staff to perform said services; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 212, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: 28% Federal and 72% Realignment. Funding sources are Title IV-B, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Assistance TANF EA, and Social Services Realignment. The determination to use either Title IV-B or TANF EA is based on the individual client’s circumstances.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501-16508, HHSA’s Child Welfare Services Program (CWS) is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. Such services are designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children.
Child Welfare Services contracts with vendors to provide individual/family therapeutic counseling services and other related services such as specialized parenting classes: “Healing Difficult Beginnings, a neurodevelopmental approach to parenting children with Developmental Trauma” on an “as requested” basis. This Agreement 212 is being amended to add $150,000 additional funds for the provision of Therapeutic Counseling and classes for CWS clients on the west slope due to higher than anticipated utilization. County staff do not have the capacity to perform therapeutic counseling services, and currently there is only one staff person who possesses the required licensure. This staff person performs mental health assessments and refers clients for services as necessary. County staff are not qualified to teach the specialized classes provided. The contractor will also be able to provide individual and family counseling sessions that effectively support implementation of the skills learned from the classes.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Policy C-17, Section 7.11 “Contracts over $100,000,” prior to finalizing this Amendment 1 to Agreement 212 with Teri Gelgood, HHSA sought and received a review of the scope of services and the contractor’s professional qualifications by a group of individuals qualified to judge the contractor’s ability to perform the services, including one representative from outside the department requesting the services.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts, however there would be limited availability of appropriately licensed and trained therapeutic counselors which could result in difficulty meeting the needs of the community, and would disrupt continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from this vendor.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
The original Agreement 212 was executed by the Purchasing Agent.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts , and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The increase of $150,000 will be paid out of Federal Funding and Social Services Realignment. Sufficient appropriations were included in the fiscal year 2018-19 budget, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Amendments to Agreement for Services 212.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Amendment to Agreement 212 to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Placerville, CA.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal 1 - Healthy Communities, Objective 1: “Protect against adverse outcomes among children and youth, adults and seniors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director