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Health and Human Services Agency, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 057-S1811 with Lilliput Children’s Services, for the provision of “as requested” therapeutic counseling, guardianship navigation and support services, and psychosocial assessments, for the term July 9, 2017 through July 30, 2020, with a maximum contractual obligation of $200,000; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 057-S1811, 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: Federal and State Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 057-S1811 to provide “as requested” therapeutic counseling services, guardianship navigation and support services, and psychosocial assessments. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16501 et seq., the services provided by Lilliput Children’s Services promote family preservation and family reunification, and facilitate achieving permanency for children engaged in the Child Welfare system. Continuing to contract with Lilliput Children’s Services will ensure continuity of care for clients currently referred to this vendor.
Additionally, HHSA has determined, in accordance with County Ordinance Section 3.13.030, it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor for these services due to the specialized skills and qualifications involved in the performance of the work.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Pursuant to WIC 16501-16508, HHSA’s Child Welfare Services program is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. Such services are designed to promote well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children.
HHSA has contracted with Lilliput Children’s Services since 2014, specifically for the provision of therapeutic counseling services. Therapies include individual, group, and family counseling and cover subjects such as Parent Coaching/Nurturing, Family Maintenance and Reunification Therapy, Transitioning from Foster Care to Adoption, and Healing Parent Group.
Further, WIC 18961 provides for parent education and support programs. The guardianship navigation and related support services provided by Lilliput Children’s Services includes assisting informal kinship caregivers with filing for legal guardianship, conducting guardianship workshops and support groups, and providing information/assistance/referrals.
Finally, with the “Continuum of Care Reform” psychosocial assessments need to be completed with each resource family applicant. The psychosocial assessment is a series of in-depth interviews with all individuals who reside in the home of the resource family applicant. Due to the extreme time commitment to complete psychosocial assessments, this State-mandated requirement exceeds current HHSA capacity in both workload and expertise. Additionally, if Lilliput Children’s Services receives reimbursement from the State’s “Private Adoption Agency Reimbursement Program,” for the psychosocial assessment, Lilliput will reimburse HHSA for the cost of the psychosocial assessment or will credit HHSA with one (1) additional psychosocial assessment at no charge to HHSA. HHSA is not eligible to seek this reimbursement from the State.
ALTERNATIVES
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 057-S1811 will result in difficulty meeting the service demands of the community and may disrupt the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from Lilliput Children’s Services. Additionally, since HHSA is not able to realize cost savings due to reimbursement from the State for psychosocial assessments, disapproval of this agreement will require HHSA to pay for services that could potentially be reimbursed by the State.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the fiscal year 2016-17 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 Agreements for Services 057-S1811.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Project 3.2, “External/Community Collaboration.”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director