Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Child Care Coordinating Council (4Cs) of San Mateo County for Stage 2 Child Care and Development Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing a waiver of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and approving execution of an agreement with the Child Care Coordinating Council (4Cs) of San Mateo County for Stage 2 child care and child development services to provide CalWORKs Stage 2 program child care services, for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not exceed $600,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program helps families with children pay for essentials like clothing, food, housing, and utilities. CalWORKs also offers employment services to help families become self-sufficient. This program is operated locally by the Human Services Agency (HSA).
The CalWORKs Stage 2 program is designed to provide subsidized child care assistance to families who are transitioning off cash aid or have reached a stable employment situation within the CalWORKs program, allowing them to focus on work or training while their children are cared for in a reliable setting and supporting their move towards self-sufficiency.
Stage 2 is administered annually by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to HSA to contract with the County’s designated Alternative Payment Program (APP) provider, the Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo (4Cs). 4Cs is the only agency in San Mateo County, other than HSA, recognized by CDSS as qualified to administer state funded child care programs and is therefore considered a sole source provider.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting to subcontract with 4Cs to provide Stage 2 child care and child development services. The 4Cs will be responsible for enrolling Stage 2 eligible families, in collaboration with HSA, through a seamless transfer process and providing the necessary case management services to secure and/or maintain child care. The estimated CDSS allocation for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is $600,000.
HSA requests that the Board of Supervisors waive the Request for Proposals process for this agreement because 4Cs is the State designated APP and R&R provider and should therefore be considered a sole source.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate)
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Anticipated |
FY 2026-27 Target |
|
Percentage of families referred for child care services contacted within 5 business days by 4Cs. |
100% |
100% |
|
Percentage of child care provider payments made within 21 days. |
100% |
100% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Stage 2 Child Care contract will positively impact low-income families by providing children with continued opportunities for quality child care for up to 24 months after transitioning off CalWORKs and removing child care as a barrier for families to maintain their employment and to achieve self-sufficiency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement shall be from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The fiscal obligation of this agreement is $600,000. This agreement is 100% funded with state and federal funds. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement will be included in the FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.