Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo for Bridge Program Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing a waiver of the formal solicitation requirement and approving the execution of an amendment with the Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County, Inc. (4Cs) to administer the Foster Care Bridge Program in San Mateo County for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, for a total contract amount of $214,666.
body
BACKGROUND:
The Emergency Child Care Bridge Program (Bridge Program), implemented in January 2018 and funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), provides time-limited child care vouchers, navigator services, and trauma-informed care training to support foster children, youth under court jurisdiction, relative caregivers, and parenting youth in foster care. The program is designed as a temporary “bridge” to longer-term child care solutions, ensuring children are placed in safe, developmentally appropriate settings while providing caregivers with the support needed to balance work and home responsibilities.
Senate Bill 89 (SB 89) requires counties to contract with their designated Child Care Resource and Referral (R&R) Program agency to provide navigator and trauma-informed care services and authorizes counties to contract with their designated Alternative Payment Program (APP) provider to administer child care subsidy payments. In San Mateo County, the Human Services Agency (HSA) oversees the implementation of state child care programs and contracts with the Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County, Inc. (4Cs), which serves as both the designated APP provider and the county’s designated R&R Program agency.
On May 13, 2025, the County entered into an agreement with 4Cs to administer the Bridge Program for the term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $108,071. 4Cs administers APP services, including determining family eligibility, enrolling participants, managing program requirements, and issuing subsidy payments directly to providers, ensuring efficient program operation and timely access to child care for families.
HSA anticipates an allocation from CDSS in the amount of $106,595 for Fiscal Year 2026-27. Continuation of the program through 4Cs is critical for maintaining high-quality child care, supporting families in securing stable placements, and providing trauma-informed training for providers, promoting continuity, safety, and positive outcomes for the County’s most vulnerable children.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting that the County approve an amendment to extend the term of the Bridge Program protective daycare agreement by 12 months, establishing a new contract period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, and increasing the total obligation by $106,595 for a new total of $214,666. It is anticipated that 26 children will receive protective daycare under the program in FY2026-27.
Under Section IV, paragraph B(2) of Administrative Memorandum B-1, a competitive solicitation may be waived when services are only available from a single source. HSA requests that the Board authorize a waiver of the formal solicitation requirement because SB 89 requires counties to contract with a designated R&R agency to provide navigator and trauma-informed care services. Since 4Cs is San Mateo County’s only designated R&R agency, HSA requests approval of a single-source waiver to amend the agreement with 4Cs to continue operation of the Bridge Program.
The County Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
The County Procurement Department has reviewed and approved HSA’s request to waive the requirement for a formal solicitation process.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 in aggregate.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Anticipated |
FY 2026-27 Target |
|
Percent of children receiving emergency child care services that will be placed in long-term child care within 6 months of receipt of referral. |
90% |
92% |
|
Percentage of child care providers who receive trauma informed care training show an increase in their understanding of how to apply trauma informed care strategies (based on a pre and post training survey). |
83% |
85% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Bridge Program ensures foster children, youth under court jurisdiction, and parenting youth in foster care have immediate access to safe, stable, and developmentally appropriate child care. Through time-limited vouchers, navigator support, and trauma-informed care training for providers, the program stabilizes families, supports caregivers, and strengthens the quality of child care. Continuing the program through 4Cs, the county’s designated APP and R&R agency ensures uninterrupted services, compliance with state requirements, and positive outcomes for the county’s most vulnerable children and families.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The amended agreement term is July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027 for a total contract amount of $214,666. The amendment adds $106,595 and is funded through the State Emergency Child Care Bridge Program Appropriation. Budgetary appropriations were included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. There is no new Net County Cost for this item.