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Human Services Department recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 263-M1011 with CASA El Dorado (CASA) for a three-year term commencing upon execution of the MOU to locate a CASA employee at the Human Services Department Briw Road office to assist abused or neglected children and at-risk youth referred by the Department to access age-appropriate and necessary services to meet the widely varied needs of each individual child.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No change. Non-financial MOU.
Background: The Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for the administration and provision of Child Welfare Services, which frequently involves the emergency removal of children from an unsafe situation or environment, followed by a determination to place the children in an environment that ensures the ongoing safety of the children. CASA El Dorado is the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) that provides specially trained volunteers to serve as court-appointed advocates to act in the best interests of the children who have been removed from an unsafe situation or environment. The CASA employee to be located at the DHS Briw Road office will assist children removed by DHS to access age-appropriate and necessary services that meet the widely varied needs of each individual child.
Reason for Recommendation: MOU 263-M1011 allows for the location of a CASA employee at the DHS Briw Road office to provide services to DHS clients. CASA shall retain full responsibility for its employee, including selection, hiring, remuneration, supervision, management and termination of the employee. CASA employee shall agree to and execute the DHS Confidentiality Statement to protect the confidentiality of all information received by the CASA employee while located at the DHS Briw Road office. DHS will provide the CASA employee with adequate office space and equipment to conduct business and protect client confidentiality and safety.
The location of a CASA employee at DHS will be mutually beneficial to DHS, CASA and the children and at-risk youth assisted by CASA by expediting provision of assistance. There is no cost associated with this MOU.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1. Chairman to sign two (2) originals of MOU 263-M1011
2. Board Clerk to return one (1) original MOU to Human Services at 3057 Briw Road.
2. Department to distribute as appropriate.
Contact: Daniel Nielson, x7275
Concurrences: County Counsel and Risk Management