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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 provision of Social Security advocacy for youth clients provided by Maximus US Services Inc. (Maximus) requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Procurement Policy C-17, Section 3.4 (2f), that this agreement is exempt from competitive bidding as Maximus will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the services cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge to ensure children in foster care receive expertise in Social Security Advocacy;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 10173 with Maximus in the amount of $289,000, and for the term of three years from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 10173, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
5) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 10173.
FUNDING: 100% State Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Per California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 13757, counties are required to screen all foster youth for potential Social Security Administration (SSA) income and benefits eligibility, including Social Security Survivors, Social Security Disability, Social Security Retirement, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and State Supplementary Payment (SSP) benefits, when foster youth are at least 16.5 years of age and no more than 17.5 years of age. Disabled foster youth who emancipate from care without establishing eligibility for federal benefits are especially vulnerable to negative outcomes such as undiagnosed medical conditions or homelessness. This screening increases the likelihood that foster youth will experience a stable and successful transition to independent living.
HHSA’s Child Welfare Services (CWS) program lacks the necessary trained staff to navigate the complex application, reapplication, and appeals processes associated with SSA income and benefits determinations.
HHSA has historically contracted with Maximus for these services. On June 6, 2023, the Board authorized the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7451 with Maximus for the provision of Social Security advocacy services for youth clients, in the amount of $250,000, for a three-year term ending June 30, 2026 (Legistar file 23-0905). HHSA is now recommending Board approval of this renewal agreement with Maximus to allow continued service provision in both Slopes of El Dorado County (West Slope and South Lake Tahoe). Services include reviewing existing foster youth eligibility, submitting applications for new and current youth, compiling required data, and implementing ongoing training for CWS staff.
Maximus has 22 years of experience working with the Social Security Administration and 42 years of operating federally funded programs, making them uniquely qualified to serve as SSA income and benefits advocates at the level required by the County. Maximus also recognizes the importance of proactive case management to ensure no interruption of benefits as foster youth transition to adulthood at age 18.
Under County Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4 (2f), HHSA recommends, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, that competitive bidding requirements be waived for this agreement as Maximus will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the services cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this renewal agreement with Maximus, HHSA would continue to provide these services with current staff, who do not have extensive training in this area and would have less time to provide current services. HHSA would be limited in its ability to provide accurate and improved SSA income/benefits advocacy to its clients.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
06/06/23, 23-0905, HHSA MAXIMUS 7541
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management. The Auditor Controller was notified of this Agreement in accordance with Policy B-12.
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 2026-27 Budget and will be included in future budgets during the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Agreements for Services 10173; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit by email.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency