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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 156-2020, which replaces Resolution 061-2016, approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 19, 2016; and
2) Approve the use of the “Placement Agency-Foster Family Agency Agreement SOC 154 (7/20)” form, including Addendum “A” and “B”, on an “as needed basis to place children who are dependents of the Court into a licensed Foster Family Agency.
FUNDING: Federal and State Realignment funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is responsible for the oversight and licensing of Foster Family Agencies (FFA), which are used for the placement of children who require more intensive care as an alternative to Group Homes. By statute, FFAs are organized and operated on a non-profit basis and must meet the State’s requirements for licensing, including but not limited to insurance and adherence to regulatory requirements. CDSS requires the “Placement Agency-Foster Family Agency” agreement be completed and filed for each child placed in an FFA prior to placement. This agreement establishes the terms and conditions of each placement under the State licensed agency, which is why the State mandates the use of this “Placement Agency-Foster Family Agency” agreement. In addition, CDSS will not release Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)-Foster Care funds to pay for services provided during the placement without the completed form on file.
On April 19, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 061-2016 which delegated authority to the HHSA Director or designee, to execute State-mandated “Placement Agent-Foster Family Agency” boilerplate agreements with licensed Foster Family Agencies (FFA) in lieu of the previous County agreements for Foster Family Agency Services. This allowed Child Welfare Services to efficiently place children and non-minor adults into Foster Family Agencies in a timely manner.
Effective July 1, 2020, Assembly Bill (AB) 1301 established that county child welfare agencies shall assume local control of the Private Adoption Agency Reimbursement Program (PAARP), and to support this transition to the counties CDSS modified the Foster Family Agency agreement to include the process for counties to reimburse PAARP. This new agreement SOC 154A (version 7/2020), including Addendum “A” and “B” are attached to this Resolution and replaces the current SOC 154A.
ALTERNATIVES:
Failure to adopt the Resolution will result in additional difficulties in the reimbursement process of PAARP.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 04/19/2016 #12, 16-0299, HHSA Foster Family Agency Agreement Resolution/Boilerplate
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Rates are established by the State and not negotiable.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Resolution 156-2020.
2) Return one (1) original fully executed Resolution the HHSA-Contracts Unit for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency