Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept the one-time Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) supplemental grant funding allocation, administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), for the term of execution through September 30, 2025, in the estimated amount of $72,531;
2) Authorize the Board Chair to execute the attached Letter of Intent, required to be submitted to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) by March 10, 2022, in order to accept this CBCAP one-time grant funding allocation; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director or designee to execute and administer any subsequent administrative documents relating to said award, including any amendment(s) that do not increase the funding allocation or term, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, and required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: 100% Title IV-E Federal funding authorized pursuant to The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated for the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention funding by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On November 24, 2021, the County of El Dorado (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) received a Notice of Funding Allocation for the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) supplemental grant funding allocation via an All County Letter (ACL) addressed to county child welfare agencies and tribes that currently have a Title IV-E agreement with the State. This CBCAP is administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and was established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 to be used towards planning for child abuse prevention activities and community-based prevention programs to strengthen the well-being of children, families, and communities. The ARPA of 2021 appropriated a total of $25 million to California counties for CBCAP funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 to be expended through September 30, 2025.
The one-time, non-competitive CBCAP allocation for the County is estimated to be $72,351, requires no match funding, and has a planned expenditure period upon award through September 30, 2025. The purposes of the CBCAP program are: (1) to support community-based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and coordinate initiatives, programs, and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect; (2) to support the coordination of resources and activities to better strengthen and support families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect; and (3) to foster understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in order to effectively prevent and treat child abuse and neglect.
Child Welfare plans on utilizing this funding to expand child welfare services or other direct community services that support families at-risk of entry into the child welfare system. This will be accomplished through supporting costs for the following:
1) Enhanced peer-to-peer support (Parent mentors): Peer mentoring interventions for parents involved with the child welfare system offer individualized assistance that can be catered to meet the needs of each individual family. Peer mentoring pairs a community resident with lived experience in the Child Welfare System with a current, active client household. The 'mentor' assists the client household by motivating parents to think and act in ways that help support their goals and child welfare case plans. Peer-to-peer support assists parents with building caring relationships, providing guidance, and promoting parent's positive self-beliefs that help motivate them to participate in services.
2) Conducting outreach activities to establish a community pathway for prevention service: A local, multi-disciplinary prevention planning team has been meeting and reviewing potential child abuse prevention strategies that could create a positive impact in El Dorado County. Spearheaded by the Child Abuse Prevention Council, partners such as Probation, Behavioral Health, local domestic violence providers, and a number of other local service providers participate in these meetings. The group is reviewing evidence-based practices, reviewing what services currently exist in the community that are effective, and from there are considering what gaps exist that could be filled by adding new or enhanced services. Through this work, recommendations will come from this group regarding new or enhanced services that, if funded, would help prevent the need for families to enter the Child Welfare System in the first place, with prevention activities meeting the households needs sooner.
Expanding the services and supports offered through Family Resource Centers or other Community-Based Organizations providing services to primary and secondary populations: Primary prevention programs are directed at the general population with the goal of preventing child abuse and neglect. Secondary prevention programs focus on individuals or families who are at high risk for maltreating their children. Child Welfare is continually working with community-based organizations to increase services that will help to prevent families from coming through the "Child Welfare Door," both within the general population as well as the high-risk populations. These funds may be used to support the cost of services that are most impactful with both of these groups, with the goal of meeting their needs sooner and thereby preventing or diverting folks from needing to enter the system.
The initial deadline for counties to return a signed Letter of Intent (LOI) to the CDSS to accept this funding was December 17, 2021, however, in order to obtain Board approval, the County has been given an extended deadline to sign and return the attached LOI to the CDSS no later than March 10, 2022 to accept this funding.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to accept this non-competitive funding allocation, or decline to authorize the Board Chair to sign the attached Letter of Intent, the County will not receive the estimated $72,531 in funds to support families at-risk of entry into the child welfare system.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel approved the CBCAP Grant Letter of Intent.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Federal funded CBCAP funds do not have a match requirement. There is no impact to County General Fund from this item and this funding will be included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget request.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Board Chair on Letter of Intent (LOI) and email signed LOI to HHSA Grants Unit at hhsa-eldoradoco-grants@edcgov.us by or before March 10, 2022.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director