Title
Human Services Department recommending the Board approve a $30 per day rate for reimbursement to licensed foster family and pre-approved relative or non-relative substitute care providers for Emergency Shelter Care that ensures the safety and welfare of children pending Court-Ordered detention and placement or release.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: Averages 70% to 85% Federal/State Social Services Funding with 15% to 30% County Share met primarily with realignment dollars
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
|
Total Estimated Cost |
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$ 27,000.00 |
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|
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Funding |
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|
Budgeted |
$ 27,000.00 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$ 27,000.00 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$ 0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No change. The above amount is an estimate of annual payments for Emergency Shelter Care to non-agency substitute care providers and represents approximately one-half of one percent of the $5,000,000 budgeted annually for foster care services. Payments for Emergency Shelter placements are paid directly by the County. Once placement is Court-ordered, payments for foster care services are issued through the automated State ISAWS system.
Reason for Recommendation:
The Department of Human Services, Social Services Division, Child Protective Services (CPS) is mandated to remove children from unsafe circumstances and place them in protective care in accordance with provisions of the Welfare and Institution Code when the circumstances of minor(s) fall within the parameters of Section 300 et seq. Temporary Emergency Shelter Placement often occurs outside of normal working hours, typically involves distraught children and is generally made with a licensed foster family or preferably with a relative or non-relative extended family member pending court-ordered disposition of the case.
On July 1, 2008, in order to ensure compliance with County Charter, Ordinance and Procurement Policy requirements and to facilitate payment for substitute care provider services, the Board approved the use of four boilerplate agreements to cover emergency and/or ongoing Court-ordered provision of services with non-contracted vendors. These Agreements, developed by the State Department of Social Services, define the role and responsibilities of the parties regarding children placed with the various types of substitute care providers.
In that Board item #08-0972, the Department inadvertently indicated that all of the substitute care provider rates, including those for Emergency Shelter Care, are established by the State. The $30 daily reimbursement rate paid for Emergency Shelter Care to licensed foster family and pre-approved relative or non-relative substitute care providers had in fact been established by the Department in the 1990's. This reimbursement rate compensates caring families and individuals who make themselves available at all hours 24/7 and are willing to accept traumatized children into their homes with little or no notice. Emergency Shelter Care rates paid to foster family agencies and group homes are pro-rated based on the State-established monthly rates. Emergency Shelter Care is allowed for a maximum of thirty (30) days, but typically covers a period from one (1) to ten (10) days pending Court-ordered disposition of the case. Once the Court orders placement, the appropriate State-established rate applies and varies, based on a variety of factors including the type of placement and the age and specific needs of the child, from $446 to $6,694 monthly.
The Department recommends the Board approve the $30 daily reimbursement rate for Emergency Shelter Care to licensed foster family and pre-approved relative or non-relative substitute care providers.
Action to be taken following board approval:
1. Board Clerk to provide Human Services, Social Services Division at Briw Road with a certified Master Report.
2. Human Services to execute the appropriate approved agreement at the time of any placement of child/children.
3. Auditor-Controller to pay invoices for services associated with these agreements, including the $30 daily rate for Emergency Shelter Care to licensed foster families and approved relative or non-relative homes.
Contact: Doug Nowka, Director, 621-6163
Concurrences: County Counsel, Risk Management and Human Resources previously approved the use of boiler agreements for Emergency Shelter Care and/or Court-Ordered substitute care provider services.