Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicole Pollack, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment with StarVista to provide Differential Response services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with StarVista to provide differential response services, extending the term of the agreement by one year through December 5, 2019 and increasing the amount by $1,153,407 to an amount not to exceed $2,000,314.
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BACKGROUND:
Differential Response (DR) is an evidence-based prevention and early-intervention strategy designed to reduce child abuse and neglect. It provides support services to families that need to be strengthened but do not meet the statutory requirements of entering into the child welfare system. This response uses identified paths based on an assessment of safety and risk to determine the strengths and needs of the child and the needs of the child’s family. Family participation in DR services is voluntary.
In April 2017 Human Services Agency issued a Request for Proposals process seeking early intervention services through a DR model and aftercare services for reunified families. StarVista was one of the providers selected to provide DR services to northern, central and coastal regions of San Mateo County.
On December 5, 2017, The Board of Supervisors authorized an agreement with StarVista by resolution number 075605, in the amount of $846,907 and term of December 6, 2017 through December 5, 2018.
The Human Services Agency needs to ensure that the southern region of the county receives high quality and consistent differential response services, and StarVista is the best provider poised to deliver these services.
DISCUSSION:
StarVista, who currently provides DR and aftercare services for reunified families in northern, central and coastal regions of San Mateo County, has agreed to expand its current services to include the southern region and will now serve families residing in Redwood City, Menlo Park, and East Palo Alto.
StarVista will provide families at risk with access to voluntary child-focused case management services that are intended to be short term and intensive for up to six months per family and time-limited aftercare support to families who have successfully reunified after Children and Family Services (CFS) and court involvement.
DR and aftercare services for reunified families are critical to meeting San Mateo County’s five year Child Welfare System Improvement Plan (SIP), whose highest priority is to prevent child abuse. The SIP plan is mandated under Assembly Bill 636 and overseen by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The amended agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
This agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by providing safe and supportive homes and neighborhoods for children in San Mateo County through the DR early intervention strategy. It is expected that approximately 515 unduplicated families throughout the county, including 229 from the southern region, will be served as part of this agreement. It is anticipated for FY 2018-19, that 83% of families referred to StarVista will receive DR services, and 96% of families receiving DR services will have no substantial re-referral of abuse or neglect within 12 months of intervention. These measures are projected to increase to 84% and 97%, respectively, for FY 2019-20.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measures |
FY 2017-18* Actual |
FY 2018-19 Anticipated |
FY 2019-20** Projected |
|
Percentage of families referred to StarVista who will receive a differential response service (this includes families who are engaged in services, or who have received information/referrals) |
82% |
83% |
84% |
|
Percentage of families receiving differential response services that will have no substantial re-referral of abuse or neglect within twelve months of intervention (based on Child Welfare Services/Case Management System disposition data) |
95% |
96% |
97% |
*This measure was tracked for seven months of FY 2017-18, from December 5, 2017 through June 30, 2018
** This Measure will be tracked for five months of FY 2019-20, from July 1, 2019 to December 5, 2019
FISCAL IMPACT:
This amendment extends the term of the agreement through December 5, 2019 and increases the funding by $1,153,407 for a new total obligation amount not to exceed $2,000,314. Of the amended amount, 80% ($922,726) is funded by Child Welfare Services Outcome Improvement Project (CWSOIP) allocation via State Realignment funds and 20% ($230,681) is Net County Cost. Budget appropriations have been included in the FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget.