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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 096-2026, which supersedes and replaces Resolution 068-2016 and Resolution 156-2020, authorizing the HHSA Protective Services Assistant Director of Human Services, or designee, to sign the State of California forms (SOC 154, SOC-154A, SOC 153, and SOC 154C) included as Attachments A, B, C and D to the Resolution, and related addenda for Group Home Agreements, Foster Family Agency Agreements, and Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program Agreements required by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for child and non-minor dependent placement, including amended SOC forms or new versions imposed by CDSS.
FUNDING: 100% Federal and State Realignment funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The State of California (SOC) CDSS Child Welfare Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) Chapter 31-400 outlines the requirements for placement of children/youths and Assembly Bill (AB) 403 established the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) to ensure that children/youths are supported by a broad continuum of programs and services when they are removed from their families. These programs are tailored for their individual needs and family needs. Under CCR, reliance on residential care is limited to circumstances in which the child/youth/NMD requires residential-based, short-term interventions designed to successfully transition the child/youth/NMD into a permanent, home-based family setting.
CDSS is responsible for the oversight and licensing of Group Homes (GH), Foster Family Agencies (FFA), and Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTP) . GHs are used for 24-hour non-medical care and supervision of children and youth who cannot be successful in a family setting; FFAs are used for certifying and training foster parents and finding temporary or permanent homes for placements; and STRTPs are used for the placement of children who require more intensive care. CDSS requires the following state mandated boilerplate placement agreements to be completed and on file for each foster child/youth in placement:
-SOC 154 for GH placement for a child, Exhibit A to Resolution;
-SOC 154A for FFA placement of a child, Exhibit B to Resolution;
-SOC 153 for FFA placement of a NMD, Exhibit C to Resolution; and
-SOC 154C for STRTP placement of a child, Exhibit D to Resolution.
HHSA Child Welfare Services (CWS) is responsible for protecting children and youths who either do not have a parent, guardian, or other custodian, or children and youths whose parent, guardian, or custodian is unable to provide for the care or supervision of the child(ren)/youth(s). As such, HHSA becomes the "placement agency" for GH, FFA, and STRTP placement agreements for children and youths who meet specific criteria. HHSA CWS staff determine placement of children and youths based on a variety of factors, including selecting a placement with the services and geographic location that will be most beneficial to the child/youth based on the child's/youth's individual needs.
HHSA recommends the Board approve of this Resolution as the completion of these boilerplate agreements allow for a range of care and support for foster children and youths with varying levels of individual needs. Each placement/facility type is essential to ensure that these foster children and youths receive the necessary care and support to enable them to transition to a permanent, family-based care setting and achieve permanency. Services offered by these facilities will help improve outcomes for children and youths by providing consistent, nurturing, and permanent family placements, while also addressing the needs of children and youths with complex care needs. Approval of this Resolution will supersede and replace Resolution 068-2016 (GHs) and Resolution 156-2020 (FFAs), effective upon execution.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this Resolution authorizing the CDSS mandated agreements, this would result in HHSA CWS placement delays and fewer placement options for foster children and youths with complex care needs.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 04/19/16, 16-0299, HHSA Foster Family Agency Agreement Resolution/Boilerplate
2) 10/20/20, 20-1210, HHSA - Resolution Placement Agency-Foster Family Agency Agreement SOC 154 (7/20)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the Resolution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency