Title
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 Site-Based Learning (SBL) internship services provided by Capella University, LLC (Capella) 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 Non-Financial SBL Affiliation Agreement 9976 with Capella, with a retroactive term of July 13, 2026, automatically renewing annually for additional one-year terms;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 9976, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount of the Agreement; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 9976.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Capella provides professional education and fieldwork support for undergraduate and graduate social work students preparing for or advancing careers in public child welfare. This program emphasizes advanced practitioner skills essential to effective social work practice. HHSA Child Welfare Services (CWS) must meet staffing requirements outlined in the CWS Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) Division 31, Sections 31-070.11 through 31-070.13, which mandate that at least 50% of staff performing emergency response and family maintenance functions hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
This proposed agreement will support HHSA in meeting these staffing requirements by enabling current employees to complete Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) and/or MSW internship fieldwork through Capella. Practicum agreements with Capella and similar institutions expand opportunities for staff to pursue advanced education, strengthening HHSA’s capacity to recruit, retain, and develop qualified child welfare professionals. These programs ultimately enhance service quality for children and families by increasing workforce expertise, diversity, and specialized training.
HHSA recommends the Board approve of this Agreement 9976 with a retroactive start date of July 13, 2026, to ensure that a Social Worker currently employed by HHSA can start their MSW internship. While this agreement was initially anticipated to fall under Policy C-18 Non-Financial Agreements, Board approval is required because Capella is a for-profit institution not covered under this policy.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide BASW and MSW internship options through existing contracts with other universities. However, any students hoping to complete their internship through Capella would be unable to do so which may result in a smaller social worker employment pool as social workers are among one of the more difficult positions to recruit and retain.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Agreement 9976.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency