Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Approve and accept an additional allocation from the California Department of Social Services for an estimated amount of $226,606 to enhance Child Welfare Services Emergency Response services for Fiscal Year 2022-23 for a term to begin upon execution through June 30, 2025;
2) Delegate authority to the HHSA Director to sign Attachment I of All County Letter 22-93 to secure the allocation; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Assistant Director of Protective Services, to execute and administer any subsequent administrative documents relating to said allocation, including any extension(s) or amendment(s), which do not increase net county cost, and required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: 100 % State General Funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The California State Budget Act of 2021 appropriated $50 million of state general funds for the purpose of enhancing county Child Welfare Services (CWS) agencies existing Emergency Response (ER) services. ER services, as defined in California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501(f), consist of the response system providing in-person response, twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, to reports of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation, for the purpose of investigation and to determine the necessity for providing initial intake services and crisis intervention to maintain the child safely in their own home or to protect the safety of the child.
In response, on December 30, 2021, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), issued All County Letter 22-02 (ACL 22-02) offering county CWS agencies the option to accept Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 estimated ER Enhancement allocations. Subsequently, on February 22, 2022, the County of El Dorado (County) Board of Supervisors (Board) accepted the CDSS ER Enhancement allocation in the estimated amount of $226,606 (File ID 22-0232). With the submission of the signed acceptance letter, HHSA also submitted an ER Enhancement Funding Program Plan, as instructed by CDSS, which included Work Strategies, Best Practice Strategies, and Technology Strategies.
Further, on December 9, 2022, CDSS issued All County Letter 22-93 (ACL 22-93) notifying county CWS agencies that an additional $50 million of state general funds were appropriated in the State Budget Act of 2022 for FY 2022-23 ER services. The County’s allocation is again estimated to be $226,606. ACL 22-93 instructs counties that with the acceptance of the FY 2022-23 ER Enhancement allocation they may update their ER Enhancement Funding Program Plans submitted with their FY 2021-22 acceptance. Therefore, upon Board acceptance of this additional FY 2022-23 ER Enhancement allocation, HHSA will submit an updated ER Enhancement Funding Program Plan with the signed acceptance letter in the estimated amount of $226,606.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board choose to not accept this allocation, HHSA will be limited in its ability to enhance ER services in the community, possibly endangering the welfare of children.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
02/22/22, File ID 22-0232, HHSA CDSS All County Letter 22-02, Emergency Response Funding
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to the County General Fund for this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the duration of the funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and
Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency