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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of Child Welfare Services therapeutic counseling and classes provided by The Center for Violence-Free Relationships are in the public's best interest and that “due to the limited timeframes, temporary or occasional nature, or the schedule for the project or scope of work, the ongoing aggregate of work to be performed is not sufficient to warrant addition of permanent staff” in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(C), El Dorado County Charter, Section 210(b)(6), and/or Government Code Section 31000;
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4(2(f)) exempting the competitive bidding process, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, because “the procurement is for goods where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the goods cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge” and result in a potential break in Child Welfare Services therapeutic counseling services on the West Slope of El Dorado County;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 6973 with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships for the provision of therapeutic counseling and classes in the amount of $200,000, for the term of three years from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2026; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Assistant Director of Human Services, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 6973, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Federal (28%) and Social Services Realignment (72%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501-16508, the County of El Dorado Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Child Welfare Services Program (CWS) is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. CWS serves clients in need of therapeutic counseling classes and related services on an “as requested” basis. Such services are designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children.
The County of El Dorado has contracted with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships (The Center) for these services since 2005. The Center offers services to women, men, teens, and children on the West Slope who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as programs for those needing to overcome patterns of abusive behavior and learn to navigate conflict more effectively. With a focus on intergenerational transmission of interpersonal violence in our community, The Center targets eliminating recidivism in the local population. Under the direction of a licensed clinical social worker, their services are provided by certified case managers.
This proposed Agreement for Services 6973 with The Center is a renewal of Agreement for Services 4584 approved by the Board on February 25, 2020 (File ID: 20-0034), and covers the term from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2026, in the amount of $200,000. The Agreement will ensure the continuation of necessary therapeutic counseling services for victims of domestic violence without any service interruption.
The Center for Violence-Free Relationships is one of many vendors in the area providing CWS therapeutic counseling services. HHSA contracts with as many CWS therapeutic counseling providers as possible, to maintain a network to ensure the capacity and immediate availability of crucial services to support CWS family reunification. This is beneficial for geographical purposes and also for the purpose of allowing clients to utilize any vendor that works best for them and that they are most comfortable with, for the best possible family outcomes.
For this reason, under the County of El Dorado Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4, effective October 20, 2022, HHSA recommends with El Dorado County Chief Administrative Office Procurement and Contracts Division concurrence, that competitive bidding requirements be waived for exemption reason (2(f)) “the procurement is for goods where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the goods cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge.” Competitive solicitation will be engaged prior to the expiration date of Agreement for Services 6973 and is anticipated to run continuously to ensure the ongoing recruitment of available service providers
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts; however, it could result in difficulty meeting the needs of the community and may disrupt continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from this vendor.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 2/25/2020, 20-0034, HHSA The Center for Violence-Free Relationships 4584
2) 1/23/2018, 17-1270, The Center for Violence-Free Relationships 401-S1710
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts, and Risk Management. The Auditor-Controller has been notified in compliance with Board Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 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 (1) original Agreements for Services 6973.
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