Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Social Services Division, recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 005-2017, which increases the Social Services Social Worker I/II/III/IV personnel allocation by 1.0 full time equivalent to oversee and facilitate the Child and Family Team program; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Budget Transfer Request increasing Child Welfare Services funding by $82,376 State General Fund, and $47,587 in Federal Funding; there are sufficient appropriations in Social Services Realignment contribution of $13,232 for a total amount of $143,195. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: Federal, State General Fund allocation and Social Services Realignment.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt and authorize the attached Resolution to increase the Social Services Social Worker I/II/III/IV personnel allocation by 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE), to oversee and facilitate the Child and Family Team program for Child Welfare Services.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In October 2015, the Governor signed the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) legislation, which will affect Child Welfare Services statewide. The intent of CCR is to have children and youth, who must live apart from their biological parents, live in a permanent home with a committed adult(s) who can meet their needs. The CCR changes also include, but are not limited to, providing services and support to children, youth, and their families, causing a reduction in reliance on congregate care, thereby increasing placements in home-based settings. Two of the CCR’s most fundamental principles include that child welfare services are most effective when delivered in the context of a family-centered environment for the child or youth.
This family-centered environment includes the establishment of a multidisciplinary Child and Family Team (CFT), which shares responsibility to assess, plan, intervene, monitor, and refine services over time. Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 16501.1 (c) and (d) require that county placing agencies convene a CFT meeting to identify support and services that are needed to achieve permanency, enable a child to live in the least restrictive family setting, and promote normal childhood experiences. This requirement applies to all children and youth residing in a group home with an existing case plan, or children and youth who come into child welfare foster care placement after January 1, 2017.
The CFT is a group of individuals that includes the child or youth, family members, professionals, natural community supports, and other individuals identified by the family who are invested in the child, youth, and family’s success. In addition to mandated participation of involved public agency representatives, the composition of the team is driven by family members’ preferences. Successful CFTs include people who have natural supportive relationships with the family, so that the family’s support system will continue after formal services are complete. The CFT’s role is to include family members in defining and reaching identified goals for the child. The individuals on the team work together to identify each family member’s strengths and needs, based on relevant life domains, in order to develop a child, youth and family-centered case plan. The plan articulates the specific strategies for achieving the child, youth, and/or family’s goals based on addressing identified needs, including public safety, and must be in accordance with the “All County Letter No. 16-84, MHSUDS Information No. 16-049,” dated October 7, 2016, relating to court orders, building and developing functional strengths.
The “County Fiscal Letter No. 16/17-24,” dated October 12, 2016, informs County Welfare Departments of the amounts allocated for placing agency activities related to facilitating and participating in CFTs as required by Welfare and Institutions Code. Said County Fiscal Letter defines the allocation for El Dorado County as $87,876, with $82,376 directed to Child Welfare Services and $5,500 directed to County Probation Department.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve the Budget Transfer Request, the County would be out of compliance with the requirements of the CCR legislation. Additionally, should the Board decline to approve the Personnel Allocation Resolution, HHSA would be required to reallocate current staffing, thereby decreasing availability of staff to address existing program needs.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. The increase in State General Fund and Federal allocation, as well as use of Social Services Realignment will ensure sufficient appropriations are included in the fiscal year 2017-18 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the attached Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) certified copy of the signed Resolution to Human Resources, and one (1) certified copy of the signed Resolution to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
3) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on attached Budget Transfer Request and forward signed Budget Transfer Request to the Auditor-Controller Office for processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Objective 2.4.2 “Maximize and stabilize available resources for mandated programs.”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director