Title
Child Support Services recommending the Board:
1) Find in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with Marshal Medical Center for the Parentage Opportunity Program as it is mandated that the service be performed by birthing hospitals; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 5723 with Marshall Medical Center for services to carry out the Parentage Opportunity Program with a three-year term retroactive to April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024, for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
FUNDING: State and Federal Child Support Funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Pursuant to California Family Code (FC) Section 7571(a), hospital staff are required to provide unmarried parents with the opportunity to sign a voluntary declaration of parentage. Hospital staff are required to witness the signatures of parents signing the voluntary declaration of parentage and to forward the signed declaration to the Department of Child Support Services within 20 days of the date the declaration was signed. FC 7571(c) requires the local child support agency to pay the sum of ten dollars ($10) to birthing hospitals for each completed declaration of parentage that is filed. This ten dollar ($10) payment is contingent on the fact that the child support agency has a written agreement with the birthing hospital specifying the terms and conditions as required by federal law.
Due to staffing changes and training requirements within the Department, the contract preparation and negotiation took longer than expected. As a result, the prior contract lapsed, resulting in the need for retroactive approval from the Board.
ALTERNATIVES
As the services provided and payment amount are required by Family Code Section 7571, the County must have an agreement with the birthing hospitals to comply with Family Code Section 7571.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATIO...
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