Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association of San Francisco for Parent Partner Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with Young Men’s Christian Association of San Francisco to administer a Peer Parent Partner Program in San Mateo County, for the term of September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2027, and a total obligation amount not to exceed $896,908.
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BACKGROUND:
Families involved in the child welfare system often face complex challenges and may distrust agencies due to fear, stigma, or past trauma. Traditional services alone may not fully address these barriers. The need for Peer Parent Partner Program stems from the recognition that peer-to-peer support can bridge these gaps by offering relatable, credible guidance that professionals alone may not provide. A Peer Parent Partner Program is an evidence-based practice that pairs parents currently involved with the child welfare system with a mentor (Parent Partner), who has successfully navigated similar experiences.
Peer Partners use their lived experience to guide families through the system, encourage active participation in case planning, and support reunification efforts. This approach is essential for building equitable, compassionate, and effective family support systems. The primary objective of this program is to employ a peer-to-peer support model that leverages the expertise of life-trained paraprofessionals to enhance parenting skills, promote and/or sustain family reunification, and mitigate the risk of future abuse or neglect.
In December 2024, the Human Services Agency’s (HSA) Children and Family Services (CFS) branch issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a provider to administer a Parent Partner Program in San Mateo County, and the Young Men’s Christian Association of San Francisco (YMCA) was selected based on their method and approach, and qualifications and experience as outlined by the RFP’s evaluation criteria.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting the County enter into an agreement with YMCA to operate a Parent Partner Program in San Mateo County for the term September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2027 and a total obligation amount of $896,908. Under this agreement, YMCA will
recruit, train, employ, and supervise Parent Partners. YMCA will ensure Parent Partners have the necessary cultural competency and capacity to work with a diverse group of families in San Mateo County. YMCA will provide peer-to-peer advocacy and support services to program participants to support reunification, placement stability, permanency, and reduce recurrence of child maltreatment.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing an amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate).
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and the agreement as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Target |
FY2026-27 Target |
|
Percentage of participants that indicate they increased their knowledge around parent rights, child welfare and mental health systems (based on a survey). |
85% |
85% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Peer Parent Partner Program will positively impact disproportionality within the Child Welfare system because this evidence-based practice promotes successful family reunification, family stabilization, permanency, and reduces future child maltreatment and recidivism.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the Agreement is September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2027 for a total obligation amount not to exceed $896,908. Funding for this agreement is anticipated to be through Child Welfare Services with Federal and State funding. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement is included in the FY2025-26 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this item.