Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 4999 with Teri Gelgood, doing business as Creating Joy Now, for the provision of Therapeutic Counseling and Parenting Classes, with a maximum contractual obligation of $120,000 for the term of 3 years from September 01, 2020 to August 31, 2023;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 criteria B, that it is appropriate to contract with Teri Gelgood, doing business as Creating Joy Now, for the provision of such services because specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services #4999, 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: 28% Federal and 72% Realignment. Funding sources are Title IV-B, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Assistance (TANF EA), and Social Services Realignment. The determination to use either Title IV-B or TANF EA is based on the individual client’s circumstances.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501-16508, HHSA’s Child Welfare Services Program (CWS) 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.
Child Welfare Services contracts with vendors to provide individual/family therapeutic counseling services and other related services such as specialized parenting classes: “Healing Difficult Beginnings, a neurodevelopmental approach to parenting children with Developmental Trauma” on an “as requested” basis. County staff do not have the capacity or possess the required licensure to perform therapeutic counseling services. County staff are not qualified to teach the specialized classes provided. The contractor will also be able to provide individual and family counseling sessions that effectively support implementation of the skills learned from the classes.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17, Section 7.11, the contractor selection process for service contracts in excess of $100,000 must include a review of the scope of services and contractor’s professional qualifications by a group of individuals (including at least one representative from outside the department requesting the services) qualified to judge the contractor’s ability to perform the services. HHSA has documentation on file that such a review was performed.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts, however there would be limited availability of appropriately licensed and trained therapeutic counselors which could result in difficulty meeting the needs of the community, and would disrupt continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from this vendor.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 02/06/2019, 19-0063 HHSA Gelgood Amendment I 212
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services #4999.
2) Return one (1) fully executed Amendment to Agreement #4999 to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Placerville, CA.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan: Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency