Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division, recommending the Board approve and ratify the Director's signature on a letter supporting the California Department of Social Services' grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for funding to address Human Trafficking within the Child Welfare Population.
FUNDING: Federal Grant Funding.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
The letter of support has no financial impact on the County.
Background
The Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration of Children and Families recently released a grant funding opportunity to address trafficking within the child welfare population. The maximum grant award is $250,000 per year for five years. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has agreed to take the lead in applying on behalf of the State of California. The grant opportunity provides funding for the continued development of child welfare services' response to human trafficking through infrastructure building and a multi-system approach among local law enforcement, juvenile justice, court systems, runaway and homeless youth programs, Children's Justice Act grantees, child advocacy centers, and other applicable service providers.
On July 9, 2014, CDSS notified the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) that El Dorado had been selected as a participant in the grant proposal along with Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Sacramento, and San Bernardino counties. As a participant in the grant project the County will receive technical assistance and support for developing interagency protocols. The funding obtained through this grant will be used to promote consistency across counties, provide guidance, facilitate the dissemination of promising practices throughout the state and to other jurisdictions, and will provide for the evaluation of programs and protocols developed to improve outcomes for child sex trafficking victims.
On May 13, 2014, the Board of Supervisors approved and authorized the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to sign a letter to support the allocation of $20.3 million dollars in State General Fund for Services to Child Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation. The State approved $5 million in FY 2014/15 funding for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) prevention and approved $15 million in funding for subsequent years to counties who develop CSEC programs. If awarded the Federal grant funding will be used in conjunction with State funding allocated for CSEC prevention.
Reason for Recommendation
On July 16, 2014, CDSS requested a letter of support from HHSA demonstrating the County's commitment to Preventing and Addressing Child Trafficking (PACT) to be included with the grant application. The Agency is recommending retroactive approval and ratification of the Director's signature on the letter of support as the request from CDSS was not received in time to obtain Board of Supervisors approval prior to the grant application deadline of July 22, 2014.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
Provide Health and Human Services Agency at Briw Rd. with one (1) certified minute order.
Contact
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director