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Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve the Foster Parent Recruitment, Retention, and Support Program boilerplate Agreement on an “as needed” basis in order to increase quality support and respite services for foster parents, and to further secure the permanency, well-being and safety of children who are dependents of the Court; and
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 127-2016, which delegates authority to the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, to execute Foster Parent Recruitment, Retention, and Support Program boilerplate agreements.
FUNDING: Federal and Realignment Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending (1) approval of the Foster Parent Recruitment, Retention, and Support (FPRRS) boilerplate agreement, and (2) adoption and approval of a resolution to delegate authority to the HHSA Director, or designee, to execute FPRRS Program boilerplate agreements with licensed Foster Family Homes. In anticipation of the Continuum of Care Reform in January 2017, the County has identified the importance of recruiting, retaining and supporting foster homes through a “Lead Resource Home” to increase support and respite services for foster parents.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is responsible for the oversight and licensing of Foster Family Agencies and Foster Family Homes (FFHs). HHSA’s Child Welfare Services (CWS) program is responsible for protecting children who either do not have a parent, guardian, or other custodian, or children whose parents, guardians, or custodians are unable to provide for the care or supervision of their children.
In September 2012, CDSS launched the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) effort. The intent of the Legislature is to ensure quality of care for children who are placed in the continuum of Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Foster Care (AFDC-FC) eligible placement settings. Part of the initiative was a recommendation to strengthen foster parent, resource family, and relative caregiver retention, recruitment, training requirements and strategies. The recommendation envisions these caregivers to be active partners with public child welfare workers and service providers, and as such must also be provided with the necessary supports to retain them.
In cooperation with the CCR, HHSA wishes to implement the FPRRS Program to establish two (2) Lead Resource Homes (LRHs), geographically convenient to the other Foster Homes assigned to their “network.” The LRHs will provide support and respite services for the other Foster Homes in their network. Support will include, but not be limited to, regular contact with the homes in their network, monthly meetings and special events for the homes, provide troubleshooting and conflict resolution for the network, and support the working relationships with other stakeholders (e.g. Juvenile Probation, schools, and other community based organizations). The LRH must be able to accommodate up to two (2) crisis/respite placement slots for foster clients in the resource network.
ALTERNATIVES
Failure to approve the FPRRS boilerplate agreement and adopt the Resolution will make it challenging to contract with local foster families to provide emergency temporary foster care and could leave vulnerable foster children and Foster Families without much needed resources within their network.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to provide HHSA with a signed FPRRS Program Agreement Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board to provide HHSA with a certified Minute Order adopting said Resolution as well as approving the FPRRS Program Agreement boilerplate.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Alexis Zoss, Chief Assistant Director