Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 008-S1610 with Live Violence Free for the provision of therapeutic counseling and related services for the term of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018, with maximum obligation of $126,712; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 008-S1610, including amendments that do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Funded with a blend of Federal and State Funds (85%) with County share of cost or required match (15%) met primarily with realignment funding.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Referral to specialized domestic violence programs is State-mandated for both the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WTW) and Child Protective Services (CPS) programs. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 11322.6 and 11325.8, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is required to provide WTW clients with domestic violence counseling services to assist in the prevention, reduction, and elimination of family violence with the intention of removing barriers to clients obtaining self-sufficiency. Additionally, Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 16501-16508, requires HHSA to provide counseling services that promote reunification of children and families in the CPS program.
Approval of this Agreement 008-S1610 will allow HHSA to provide therapeutic counseling and related services for those eligible individuals, thus ensuring HHSA meets the mandates of the funding source.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
HHSA WTW and CPS program staff are responsible for evaluating the services necessary to support families who are clients of HHSA. Specific and specialized services, such as domestic violence counseling services, are selected by HHSA staff to assist individuals in overcoming various obstacles with the goal of improving the client's quality of life.
The purpose of the WTW program is to help underemployed and unemployed parents who receive CalWORKs cash aid to learn work skills and find work so that they are able to support their families. The WTW program serves all 58 counties in the State and is operated locally by each county welfare department. The assistance each client receives depends on their current family, family size, and unique situation.
The child welfare program is a group of services designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children. To meet the needs of these children and their families, specific and specialized services are selected by CPS staff to assist individuals to overcome obstacles, with the goal of improving each child's and each client's quality of life.
Live Violence Free has worked closely with HHSA for approximately 6 years to ensure "as requested" referrals and client access to appropriate services are provided in a timely manner to HHSA clients who reside in the South Lake Tahoe area. The services provided by Live Violence Free continue to be a successful tool to support HHSA clients in receiving services through its WTW and CPS programs.
ALTERNATIVES:
Failure to adopt this Agreement will result in difficulty meeting the service demands of the community and HHSA's mandated service requirements, as well as disrupt the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from this vendor.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Risk Management, Human Resources, and Procurement and Contracts
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It recommended that the board approve this item if it would like to provide therapeutic counseling and related services for those eligible individuals in the South Lake Tahoe area.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 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 the signature of the Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services 008-S1610.
2. Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
This Agreement reflects HHSA's Strategic Plan goal number 3: Program Effectiveness/Integration - To develop collaborative partnerships and community networks that focus on quality, performance standards, outcomes and accountability through mutual goals and continuous improvement.
CONTACT
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director