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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services #4608 with California MENTOR Family Home Agency, LLC, for the provision of Foster Care Placement Services, in the amount of $100,000 for the three year term to commence upon final execution;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 (B) that “Specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;” as this vendor, California MENTOR Family Home Agency, LLC, provides foster care placement services specific to the special needs of this individual client; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or their designee to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services #4608, including 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: 100% State funding from 1991 Social Services Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
HHSA is responsible for the administration and provision of Child Welfare Services (CWS.) Pursuant to the provisions of the California Welfare and Institutions Code (“WIC”) Section 305, 625, 626(b) and 16500 et seq., HHSA has a duty to provide protection in the form of emergency shelter care and/or foster care placement for certain children and/or non-minor dependents who have been taken into protective custody by County’s Health and Human Services Agency (“HHSA”) or who are adjudicated dependents or wards of the court (collectively hereinafter referred to as “Client(s)”).
HHSA has a Client who is a non-minor dependent with disabilities, who had been residing in a high cost group home from January 9, 2017 through October 7, 2019, and is ready to transition to a lower level of care. However HHSA has been unable to secure an appropriate placement to meet the Client’s needs.
Due to the Client’s disabilities, this case falls under California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS) instead of the usual oversight of CWS clients by California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The chosen vendor, California MENTOR Family Home Agency (FHA) is not licensed by CDSS, but instead has been vendorized by CDDS. The vendorization process allows regional centers (in this case Alta Regional Center) to verify, prior to the provision of services to consumers, that an organization meets all of the requirements and standards specified in regulations.
Alta Regional Center (Alta) has secured a placement in an Approved Family Home through California MENTOR Family Home Agency (FHA) that meets the special needs of this Client. As a client of Alta, this Client is receiving extended foster care services through Alta; however, it is the responsibility of the County to provide further services and placement to the Client. This Agreement for placement in an Approved Family Home through California MENTOR FHA includes the Client’s board and care as well as specialized services related to the Client’s disabilities through Alta. Such services are provided at a level of service that is determined by Alta and California MENTOR FHA.
CWS staff have determined this to be the best placement for this Client based upon a variety of factors, including the specialized services and geographic location that will be of most benefit based on the Client’s individual needs.
This placement will allow this non-minor dependent to transition into adulthood without having to change placements thus increasing his likelihood of success.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline this recommendation, HHSA would need to find alternate care for this Client.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Sufficient appropriations were included in the fiscal year 2019-20 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 Agreement 4608.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement 4608 to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan Goal #5 - Healthy Communities, Objective 1: Protect against adverse outcomes among children, adults and senior citizens.
CONTACT
Donald Semon, Director