Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 243-S1711 with A Balanced Life: Individual, Family and Child Therapy, Inc., for the provision of therapeutic counseling and related services, for the term November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2019, with a maximum contractual obligation of $381,000 on a "as needed" basis; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 243-S1711, including future amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Federal and State Funding.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve Agreement for Services 243-S1711 with A Balanced Life: Individual, Family and Child Therapy, Inc., to provide therapeutic counseling and related services for eligible individuals. Approval of said Amendment will ensure HHSA meets the community service demands and will ensure that HHSA provides mandated services, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501-16508, relative to family reunification for children and families being served by the HHSA Child Welfare Services (CWS) program.
Additionally, HHSA has determined that services provided pursuant to this Agreement 243-S1711 satisfy the criteria defined in Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 of the County Ordinance in that the work performed under this Agreement is on an "as needed" basis; therefore, it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor for as requested therapeutic counseling and related services.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501-16508, HHSA’s CWS program 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 local vendors for the provision of therapeutic counseling and related services to ensure that clients can be referred by their caseworker on an "as needed" basis to receive necessary, and in some cases, Court-mandated services from the most appropriate and conveniently located vendor. Choice of vendor is based upon the specific needs of each individual HHSA client.
HHSA has contracted with A Balanced Life: Individual, Family and Child Therapy, Inc. for therapeutic counseling and associated services in the South Lake Tahoe area since 2010. The services provided by A Balanced Life: Individual, Family and Child Therapy, Inc. include counseling services, parenting classes, drug and alcohol assessments, and psychological services. These services continue to be a successful tool to support families who are clients of the CWS program.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 243-S1711 will result in difficulty in meeting the service demands of the community and HHSA’s mandated services requirements, as well as disrupt the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from this vendor.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Risk Management, Human Resources, and Procurement and Contracts.
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 2016-17 budget, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services 243-S1711.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County-wide Strategic Plan Project, Macro Measure - Social and Economic Factors; Objective 2: Provide effective programs to assist individuals and families in achieving self-sufficiency.
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph. D., Director