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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Find that in accordance with Ordinance section 3.13.030, D., that the provision of Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children Services in Agreement 5344 provided Catalyst Family Inc., doing business as Catalyst Community, are in the public's best interest and by legislative authority, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11461.6 and Senate Bill 89, it is mandated that the service be performed by independent contractors;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 5344 with Catalyst Family Inc., doing business as Catalyst Community, for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024 with a maximum first fiscal year obligation of $277,334 with each successive year’s maximum to be determined based on State allocations; and
3) Authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, to execute further documents related to Agreement for Services 5344, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING: State General Fund allocation, leveraged on an annually adjusted basis by Federal funds at a percentage established based on prior fiscal year caseload.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On June 27, 2017, the Governor approved Senate Bill (SB) 89; included in SB 89 is a requirement that effective January 1, 2018, the “Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children” (Bridge) be established by the State. The purpose of the Bridge program is to provide a mechanism for county child welfare departments to offer access to childcare for foster families during the first six (6) to twelve (12) months of foster care, whereupon the childcare subsidy will commence and the Bridge Program payments for childcare services will be discontinued for that client. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section (WIC) 11461.6, the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children shall be administered by county welfare departments that choose to participate in the program. On November 24, 2017 (17-1181, Item 45), the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) received approval from the Board to submit a plan to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to opt-in and participate in the Bridge Program. Following Board approval, HHSA submitted the opt-in application to the State in November 2017.
On October 9, 2018, (File ID 18-1176) the Board approved the first Agreement 2518 for the provision of Emergency Child Care Bridge Program Services. This new Agreement #5344 is a renewal of the original Agreement. There are three components of the Bridge program: (1) The provision of child care payments (2) a child care navigator to assist families with finding care, and (3) trauma-informed care training for care providers who will also receive coaching to assist them in applying training curriculum and learn strategies for working with children in foster care. Pursuant to SB 89 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB89, the Bridge Program requires counties to enter into an agreement with the local resource and referral (R&R) agency for the 2nd and 3rd service components offered through the program. Catalyst Community, previously doing business as Choices for Children, is the organization designated by the State of California Department of Education to serve as the R&R for El Dorado County. Contracting with this vendor ensures HHSA complies with the requirements. Catalyst Community, also operates as the Alternative Payment Program for El Dorado County, and while the County is not required to contract for the childcare payment portion of the Bridge Program, the vendor is uniquely qualified to perform the childcare payment service.
The Bridge Program aims to increase the number of foster children successfully placed and maintained in home-based family care settings, increase capacity of child care programs to meet the needs of foster children in their care, and maximize funding to support the child care needs of eligible families by leveraging State General Fund with federal funds based on the percentage of annual caseloads. Families meeting the eligibility requirements set forth by the funding source may receive payments for childcare that are commensurate with the regional market rates for six to twelve months. Each child receiving a monthly child care payment or voucher shall be provided with a child care navigator, pursuant to paragraph (5) of Subdivision (a) of Section 8212 of the Education Code, who shall work directly with the child’s family, social worker, and the child and family team to assist in accessing child care at the time of placement as well as long-term, subsidized child care for the child, as necessary. The Bridge Program is not intended to create an entitlement but rather is a voluntary program requiring counties to opt-in for participation.
Final funding allocation amounts for Fiscal Year 2021-22, have not yet been released by the State, however on March 16, 2021, Tracy Urban, with the California Department of Social Services provided the tentative amount for planning purposes. Upon release by the State, the allocation amounts for FY 2021-22 and each year thereafter for the term of this Agreement shall be attached to Agreement #5344; Tables 4.1-4.3, the budget, shall be updated, and the maximum obligation adjusted to match the allocation, without need for amendment, as outlined in Article IV of the Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to approve the recommended Agreement, whereupon the allocated funding would go unspent.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 11/24/2017, File ID 17-1181, HHSA ER Child Care Bridge Funding
2) 10/09/2018, File ID 18-1176, HHSA Choices for Children Agmt 2518
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
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 2021-22 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement as long as funds are appropriated in the State budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services #5344.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Placerville, CA.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal 1 - Healthy Communities, Objective 1: “Protect against adverse outcomes among children and youth, adults and seniors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director