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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of substance use testing services provided by Contractor are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills, qualifications, equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7626 with RJ Counseling, LLC, for the provision of substance use testing services, in the amount of $99,000 and for the term of July 23, 2023, through July 31, 2026;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 7626, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Assistant Director of Protective Services, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 7626.
FUNDING: Federal and State: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Title IV-B, Title IV-E, and Realignment; the funding will depend on the individual being served, the estimated ratio is 28% Federal and 72% State Social Services Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 16501-16508, Section 361.5 (a), Section 16501.1 (b)(5), and Section 361 (e), HHSA Child Welfare Services Program (CWS) is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. Such services are designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children. HHSA maintains agreements with multiple vendors for the provision of substance use treatment centers to ensure that CWS clients can be referred by their case worker on an “as needed” basis to receive necessary, and sometimes court-mandated services from the most appropriate and conveniently located vendor. The choice of vendor is based upon the specific needs of each individual HHSA client.
On July 23, 2020, the Purchasing Agent executed Agreement 5019 with RJ Counseling, LLC, who thereafter, has been providing services to South Lake Tahoe clients referred by CWS. Specifically, services were provided to parents who are suffering from substance use issues and those who require substance use treatment and/or a batterer's intervention program. This Agreement 5019 expires July 22, 2023.
HHSA requests the Board approve Agreement 7626, thereby, renewing said services with RJ Counseling for the term of July 23, 2023, through July 31, 2026, in the amount of $99,000, to ensure continuation of necessary services without any service interruption. Services provided will include substance use assessments, treatment, after care and drug testing (for children and adults) in addition to batterer's intervention classes. This will promote the safety of children and allow parents and children to remain in close proximity to one another throughout the reunification process. These services will allow parents to participate in case planning services and pre-placement preventative services designed to prevent the removal of children from their homes. In addition, drug testing of children will allow monitoring of children's exposure to illicit substances. Anticipated outcomes include increased reunification and decreased court intervention and removal of children from their homes.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA will continue to provide services through existing contractors, however, clients currently receiving services from RJ Counseling may have an interruption in services received. Further, CWS may not meet their legal burden to provide these services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original Agreement for Services 7626
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency