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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings pursuant to Section 3.13.030 (B) of the El Dorado County Ordinance Chapter 3.13, Contracting Out, that the therapeutic counseling services provided by Rose Marie Y. Nieto doing business as Cameron Park Counseling Center requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Agreement for Services 7778 with Cameron Park Counseling Center, increasing the contract value by $19,198, for an amended amount of $95,000, with no change to the term expiring September 30, 2026;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 7778, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 7778.
FUNDING: 28% Federal Funding including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program (Title IV-B), Foster Care (Title IV-E), and 72% County Realignment Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 16501-16508, HHSA Child Welfare Services (CWS) is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. These services aim to promote the safety and well-being of children, achieve permanency, and strengthen families to effectively care for their children. To fulfill this obligation, HHSA contracts with vendors to deliver therapeutic counseling and related services. Such services are provided on an “as needed” basis, ensuring CWS clients can access court-mandated or otherwise necessary services from the most suitable and conveniently located provider, based on their specific needs.
HHSA CWS currently utilizes Cameron Park Counseling Center to provide therapeutic counseling services to clients on the West Slope. Services include attendance at juvenile court appearances, Child and Family Team (CFT) or Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings, individual/group/family/couples therapy, and initial and progress reports. The provider works closely with CWS staff to support clients in overcoming trauma and other challenges, striving toward the ultimate goal of family reunification or ensuring children can safely remain in their homes. Cameron Park Counseling Center is familiar with our client population and accepts clients for services when some other providers have wait lists, causing the overall utilization of Agreement 7778 to increase.
This Amendment I to Agreement 7778 increases the not to exceed amount of the contract from $75,802 to $95,000, as the current maximum obligation has been expended quicker than anticipated and updates to the service provisions along with the rates were needed. This Amendment also updates service provisions to reflect the most current program language, consolidates CFT and MDT meeting sections, and clarifies that court documents and appearances are now specifically referred to as juvenile court documents and appearances. Additionally, it revises the authorization for services, increase current service rates, and modifies the billing structure for CFT/MDT meetings and juvenile court appearances/document preparation to 15-minute increments.
HHSA is recommending the Board approve this Amendment I to allow HHSA to continue using Cameron Park Counseling Center throughout the duration of the Agreement. Said approval will ensure continuity of mandated therapeutic counseling services. Otherwise, the courts could find a lack of reasonable efforts conducted by the County for family reunification cases, which could result in children remaining in foster care for longer periods, further delaying family reunification. In addition, there could be a negative fiscal impact due to the inability to claim federal dollars for those families impacted by the lack of County therapeutic counseling services.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this Amendment, the current funding on the Agreement may be expended before the term expiration, and HHSA would not be able to meet the therapeutic counseling service needs of CWS clients.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Amendment I to Agreement for Services 7778.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency