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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) in partnership with County Probation Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 7716 between HHSA Child Welfare Services (CWS) and Probation, increasing the contract value by $7,381.68, for a new maximum obligation of $37,452.14, and extending the term by eight and a half months, for an amended term of February 12, 2023, to October 31, 2026; and
2) Authorize the HHSA Director and Chief Probation Officer to execute further documents relating to MOU 7716, including amendments that are included in Board-approved departmental budgets, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, if applicable.
FUNDING: 21% Federal Title IV-E, 46% State General Fund Allocation, and 33% County Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Resource Family Approval (RFA) Program was expanded through California Senate Bill 1013 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2012). This statute requires the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), in consultation with county child welfare agencies, including juvenile probation, foster parent associations, and other interested community parties to implement a unified, family-friendly and child-centered RFA process.
On January 1, 2017, the RFA program was implemented statewide, which created a new foster caregiver approval process that replaced multiple processes that existed for licensing foster parents and relatives. There was no existing statewide case management system that allowed child welfare jurisdictions to facilitate foster care and adoptions and supportive services.
HHSA and Probation have been jointly contracting with Binti for their SaaS since February 13, 2017, to facilitate the systematic processes for RFA, allowing prospective caregivers to upload their documents and track progress towards foster resource family approval. This system allows the County to shorten the time it takes for families to get approved as resource parents for foster youth.
CDSS is currently working on upgrading the software used by child welfare jurisdictions across California to the new CWS-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES), which will integrate the functions that Binti currently provides. CWS-CARES has an estimated implementation date of October 2026.
On August 15, 2023, the Board authorized the HHSA Director and Chief Probation Officer to execute MOU 7716 for the provision of Binti’s SaaS (Legistar file 23-1167). Legistar file 23-1167 also included the approval of Agreement for Services 23-1167 with Binti. When the Board approved MOU 7716, the item title inadvertently limited HHSA’s authority to approve amendments beyond the typical scope. The current item seeks to delegate authority back to HHSA and Probation to execute amendments, provided that any transfer of County funding between these departments has already been approved by the Board through the budget process. Amendment I to MOU 7716 increases the maximum obligation amount of the MOU from $30,070.46 to $37,452.14 and extends the term through October 31, 2026. HHSA and Probation are recommending the Board approve this Amendment I to allow HHSA and Probation to ensure continued shared use and expenses of Binti until CWS-CARES is implemented.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve these recommendations, Probation would be unable to share HHSA’s cost of the MOU, and HHSA and Probation would not be able to continue using the Binti software for the extended term.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 09/21/21, 21-1321, CDSS Agmt 21-5012 F-5870
2) 08/15/23, 23-1167, HHSA C#7191 A1 and MOU #7716
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the MOU.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Amendment 1 for MOU 7716.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency
Kaci Smith, Interim Chief Probation Officer, Probation Department