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Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division, recommending the Board:
1) Accept additional funding for the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children program in the amount of $15,541 thereby increasing the original allocation of $277,628 to $293,169; and
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 018-2016, amending the current Authorized Personnel allocation to increase the Staff Services Analyst I/II allocation by one (1) full time equivalent, which has available State and Federal funding.
FUNDING: State and Federal Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division, is recommending the Board accept the additional funding for the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children program in the amount of $15,541, and adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution thereby amending the current authorized personnel allocation to increase the Staff Services Analyst I/II allocation by one (1) full time equivalent (FTE). This Staff Services Analyst will be dedicated to the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) program, to meet the State and Federal administrative requirements. The Staff Services Analyst I/II position costs $129,000 (salary and benefits) per year.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On January 12, 2016, the Board of Supervisors accepted an allocation of $277,628 for Fiscal Year 2015-16 for local development of the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) program. At that time the State had not yet released the program requirements; however, on January 25, 2016, County Fiscal Letter No. 15/16-41 was published outlining the federal mandated activities (Attachment C) and increasing the allocation by $15,541 for a new total allocation of $293,169.
After reviewing the mandates, HHSA proposes to add one (1) FTE Staff Services Analyst I/II who would be responsible for required activities, including but not limited to:
1. Determination of appropriate services for CSEC and at-risk youth;
2. Development and implementation of policies and procedures to identify, document and determine appropriate services for children or youth who are, or are at risk of becoming, victims of commercial sexual exploitation;
3. Development and implementation of local “runaway” protocols (in addition to the CSEC policies and procedures) to expedite the location of any child or non-minor dependent missing from foster care. Such protocols must include a screening to determine whether or not the child or youth was a victim of child sex trafficking;
4. Reporting to law enforcement agencies when a child or youth receiving child welfare services has been identified as a victim of commercial sexual exploitation;
5. Reporting to law enforcement agencies when a child or youth receiving child welfare services who is reasonably believed to be the victim or at risk of being a victim of commercial sexual exploitation, is missing or abducted; and
6. Collection and submission of federally-required data elements into the Child Welfare System/Case Management System for the CSEC program.
If State funding is decreased or eliminated for this program, the agency, at that time, will evaluate the continued need for the position.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to adopt this Resolution, compliance with mandated CSEC activities exceeds the current HHSA staffing capacity, thereby creating barriers to the success of the CSEC program.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Human Resources
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget and will be included in future budgets for the duration of the program.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to provide one (1) certified Resolution to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road, and one (1) certified Resolution at Human Resources at 330 Fair Lane.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director