Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Children and Family Services and Juvenile Probation Joint System Improvement Plan, Board designation of the Child Abuse Prevention Council, Promoting Safe and Stable Families Collaborative, County’s Children Trust Fund Commission, and Administration of Funds
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) A System Improvement Plan for the period of March 6, 2023 to March 5, 2028, a component of the California Child and Family Services Review mandated under Assembly Bill 636; and
B) Execution of the Notice of Intent authorizing the Human Services Agency to administer the Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment, Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, and Promoting Safe and Stable Family funds; and
C) Designation of the San Mateo County Child Abuse Prevention Council as the Child Abuse Prevention Council and Promoting Safe and Stable Families Collaborative; and
D) Designation of the San Mateo County Child Abuse Prevention Council Oversight Committee as the County’s Children’s Trust Fund Commission.
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BACKGROUND:
The California Child and Family Services Review (C-CFSR) System was formed as a result of the passage of the Child Welfare System Improvement and Accountability Act (AB 636) in 2001 and modeled after the Federal CFSR. The C-CFSR was designed to improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system while holding county and state agencies accountable for the outcomes achieved. This statewide accountability system includes the completion of a County Self-Assessment (CSA) which includes a peer review, development of a five-year System Improvement Plan (SIP), the submission of annual SIP Progress Reports, and quarterly monitoring of SIP strategies and the effects on Child Welfare outcomes.
The County’s Self- Assessment (CSA) was completed by the Human Services Agency (HSA) and approved by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) on March 5, 2023. The County is also required to submit a SIP plan in accordance with C-CFSR.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting the Board approve the SIP plan for the period of March 6, 2023 to March 5, 2028. This plan is a collaborative effort between HSA and Juvenile Probation that establishes the County’s commitment to address specific, measurable, improvements in performance outcomes to be achieved within a designated timeframe. Approval of this plan will allow the County to adhere to CDSS requirements and guidelines related to the C-CFSR. Specifically, the SIP addresses the County’s plan to improve upon the percentage of foster youth that re-enter foster care in less than twelve (12) months from the date of the earliest discharge to permanency (reunification/guardianship) during the year. The national average is 5.6% and the County’s goal is to reach 5.6% or less by 2028.
Approval of the Notice of Intent will allow HSA to administer the Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment (CAPIT); Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP); and PSSF funds. Upon Board approval and execution of the Notice of Intent, the Human Services Agency will submit the Notice of Intent to CDSS.
As required by the C-CFSR process, San Mateo County is responsible for appointing the entity that will serve as the Children’s Trust Fund Commission, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, and the PSSF Collaborative. HSA is therefore requesting that the Board of Supervisors designate San Mateo County Child Abuse Prevention Council (SMCCAPC) as the Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Collaborative; and the SMCCAPC Oversight Committee as the County’s Children’s Trust Fund Commission.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no fiscal impacts, however these items are mandated by the State to receive funding from various state and federal sources for the terms of the plan.