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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Award the successful proposal received in response to Request for Proposals 2025-0114 to Sierra Child and Family Services, Inc. (SCFS), to provide Independent Living Program (ILP) services for current and/or former foster and probation youth ages 16 to 21 in El Dorado County (County);
2) Make findings pursuant to Section 3.13.030 (B) of the El Dorado County Ordinance Chapter 3.13, Contracting Out, that the ILP services provided by SCFS requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively procured Agreement for Services 9765 with SCFS, in the amount of $483,489.60, and for the term of three years from December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2028;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 9765, 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 9765.
FUNDING: 28% Federal, 72% Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The ILP was authorized by the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-169). The ILP provides training, services, and benefits to assist current and former foster youth ages 16 to the day before their 21st birthday in achieving self-sufficiency prior to, and after leaving, the foster care system. There is an identified need for youth currently and formerly in foster care to have a system that helps facilitate the successful transition of foster youth to adulthood. In response to this need, the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 permanently authorized the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) ILP for youth leaving and preparing to leave the foster care and probation system, as well as for young adults who have emancipated. Youth participation in ILP services is voluntary.
Consistent with legislative intent, CDSS provides counties with flexibility in designing ILP services to meet the diverse needs of Transitional Age Youth (TAY) involved in foster care or the probation system. Eligible youth must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) the foster or probation youth was or is in foster care at any time from their 16th to their 19th birthday; 2) the foster or probation youth was placed in out-of-home care by a tribe or tribal organization between their 16th and 19th birthdays; 3) the foster or probation youth is a former dependent who entered into a kinship guardianship at any age and is receiving or has received Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP) between ages 16 years and 18 years; 4) the foster or probation youth is a former dependent who entered into a Non-Related Legal Guardianship (NRLG) after attaining age eight and is receiving or has received permanent placement services; or 5) youth receiving services through a Probate Guardianship case managed by Child Welfare Services between the ages of 16 years and 21 years may also be referred by County, as appropriate.
On April 10, 2025, the Procurement and Contracts Division, on behalf of HHSA, released Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2025-0114, soliciting proposals from firms qualified to provide ILP services for foster youth in the County. Four proposals were received and evaluated. As a result of the evaluative process and an interview conducted with the two highest scored proposers, SCFS was deemed most qualified for award of this RFP.
Under proposed Agreement 9765, SCFS will deliver ILP services to eligible current or former foster and probation youth in the County. These services include, but are not limited to daily living skills, money management, decision-making, self-esteem building, educational resources, employment support, transitional housing, and financial assistance for college or vocational training. Each youth will receive individualized services aligned with a written Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP), which is developed to support their transition to independent living.
HHSA recommends the Board award RFP No. 2025-0114 and approve Agreement 9765 with SCFS in the amount to ensure continued provision of vital ILP services to eligible County youth.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to award RFP 2025-0114 to SCFS or decline to authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 9765, ILP services would not be provided to current and former foster and probation youth ages 16 to the day before their 21st birthday. This could result in former foster and probation youth potentially becoming homeless and they would lack the services and support needed to help transition into adulthood.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, Risk Management, and Procurement and Contracts Division.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 bBudget and will be included in future budgets for the terms of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Agreement for Services 9765.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency