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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 specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work of Agreement for Services 9103 with On My Own Independent Living Services (On My Own);
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4(2f) exempting the competitive bidding process, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, because “the procurement is for services where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge” and due to On My Own being the only local provider that provides all of the specialized services;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 9103 with On My Own, in the amount of $250,000, and for the term of three years upon execution;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 9103, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
5) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 9103.
FUNDING: 50% Federal Funding including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Foster Care (Title IV-E), Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program (Title IV-B Subpart 1 of the Social Security Act), John H. Chafee Foster Care Program and 50% County Realignment Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
HHSA's CWS program staff strives to ensure safe, permanent, and nurturing families for children by protecting children from abuse and neglect while attempting to preserve the family unit. CWS accomplishes this goal by evaluating and referring clients to the services necessary to support families. Pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16500 et seq., HHSA's CWS staff provides services that promote reunification of children and families in the CWS program.
To further support this mission, CWS seeks specialized services for disabled individuals and young adults, helping them overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. Under proposed Agreement 9103, On My Own will provide personnel and services necessary to provide: 1) Empowered Parenting Program (EPP) - a one-to-one skill building and training program for adults with developmental disabilities; 2) Independent Living Services (ILS) - a one-to-one repetitive and customized training and support for adults with developmental disabilities to work on specific goals and objectives moving towards more independent living in the community; and 3) Vocational Services/Tailored Day Services (TDS) - one-to-one training and support for young adults ages 18 through 21, inclusive, in the Foster Care system to provide opportunities to develop or maintain employment/volunteer activities and pursue post-secondary education.
Since 2016, HHSA has contracted with On My Own to provide vital resources to families served by CWS on the West Slope. The program remains an effective tool in helping HHSA CWS staff ensure clients receive necessary, often court-mandated, services on an as-needed basis.
This proposed agreement with On My Own is a renewal of Agreement 6249, approved by the Board on May 10, 2020, for the term through May 31, 2025 (Legistar file 21-1959). HHSA recommends proposed renewal Agreement 9103 to ensure continuation of necessary EPP, ILS, and Vocational Services/TDS on the West Slope of the County. Agreement 6249 will be termed early upon final execution of Agreement 9103, as reflected in the Agreement to ensure only one active agreement is in place.
In adherence with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4(2f) exemption from competitive bidding, HHSA recommends, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, that the Board waive competitive bidding requirements as “the procurement is for services where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the services cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge.” On My Own is the only local vendor that provides all of the above specialized services.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing agreements, but clients currently receiving services from On My Own may experience a disruption in the continuity of services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 01/14/2020, 19-1830, HHSA Amendment I, #2653 On My Own Independent Living
2) 05/10/2022, 21-1959, HHSA On My Own Independent Living, 6249
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Procurement and Contracts Division, County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management. The Auditor-Controller has been notified in accordance with Policy B-12.
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 for this renewal 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 (1) original Agreement for Services 9103.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency