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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of “as requested” therapeutic counseling, guardianship navigation and support services, and family evaluation services provided by the Contractor are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(b);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7579 with Wayfinder Family Services, Inc. for the provision of “as requested” therapeutic counseling, guardianship navigation and support services, and family evaluations, for the term of final execution through July 30, 2026, in the amount of $99,000;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 7579, 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; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Assistant Director of Human Services to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 7579.
FUNDING: 28% Federal, 72% Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 16501-16508, HHSA’s Child Welfare Services program is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. 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.
HHSA has contracted with Lilliput Children’s Services since 2014, specifically for the provision of therapeutic counseling services. Lilliput Children’s Services merged with Wayfinder Family Services, Inc. as of July 1, 2020, and both are currently doing business as Wayfinder Family Services, Inc. (Wayfinder). Therapies include individual, group, and family counseling and cover subjects such as Parent Coaching/Nurturing, Family Maintenance and Reunification Therapy, Transitioning from Foster Care to Adoption, and Healing Parent Group.
Further, WIC Section 18961 provides for parent education and support programs, which may include guardianship navigation. The guardianship navigation and related support services provided by Wayfinder include assisting informal kinship caregivers with filing for legal guardianship, conducting guardianship workshops and support groups, and providing information/assistance/referrals.
Finally, with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) “Continuum of Care Reform” program approved in 2015 and implemented in 2017, family evaluations are to be completed with each resource family applicant. The family evaluation is a series of in-depth interviews with all individuals who reside in the home of the resource family applicant. Due to the extreme time commitment to complete family evaluations, this CDSS mandated requirement exceeds current HHSA capacity in both workload and expertise. Additionally, Wayfinder is permitted to seek reimbursement from the CDSS “Private Adoption Agency Reimbursement Program” for the family assessment. Therefore, if Wayfinder receives reimbursement from CDSS, Wayfinder will reimburse HHSA for the cost of the family assessment or will provide one credit for one additional family assessment at no charge. HHSA is not eligible to seek this reimbursement from CDSS.
This proposed Agreement with Wayfinder Family Services is a renewal of Agreement 4959 approved by the Board on June 30, 2020 (File 20-0762). HHSA requests the Board approve Agreement 7579 to ensure continuation of necessary therapeutic counseling, guardianship navigation and support services, and family assessments services without any service interruption.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 7579 will result in difficulty meeting the service demands of the community and may disrupt the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services. Additionally, since HHSA is not able to realize cost savings due to reimbursement from the CDSS for family evaluations, disapproval of this agreement will require HHSA to potentially pay for services that could potentially be reimbursed by the CDSS.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 06/30/2020, 20-0762, HHSA Wayfinder Agmt
2) 06/20/2017, 17-0585, HHSA Lilliput Agmt
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the FY 2023-24 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 Agreement for Service 7579
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency `