Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicole Pollack, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with San Mateo County Office of Education
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with the San Mateo County Office of Education to provide educational liaison services for children in the shelter/foster care system, for the term of August 20, 2018 through August 31, 2020, and a total obligation not to exceed $420,116.
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BACKGROUND:
Foster youth and youth in shelters face various challenges that lead to a higher than average school drop-out rate. The California Department of Education does not provide funds to ensure that all eligible youth are connected to critical educational services. It is essential to ensure that youth in foster care receive these services so their out-of-home placement does not hinder their ability to receive quality education. To meet this critical need, the Human Services Agency (HSA) will provide support through educational liaison services for foster/shelter youth and connect them with the appropriate educational resources.
Under Federal law, the Uninterrupted Scholars Act (Public Law 112-278) allows educational agencies to share a foster youth’s education records directly with appropriate child welfare agency representatives. California law was amended as well to allow for the sharing of this information. The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) specializes in direct instruction for a variety of at-risk student populations including foster youth students. SMCOE helps children in shelter/foster care by obtaining educational histories, school placements, maintaining academic progress data, and providing them with case management services. SMCOE ensures that these youth are given the support and advocacy they need to succeed in school. SMCOE is the only organization within the county that has access to both educational records and child welfare case files of foster youth to ensure the continuance of educational services. For this reason, SMCOE should be considered a sole source provider.
DISCUSSION:
The processing of this agreement was delayed due to final negotiations. This agreement with SMCOE provides two educational liaisons to develop educational plans and provide case management services for students placed by HSA and the County of San Mateo’s Probation Department in the shelter/foster care system. The liaisons will facilitate placements of shelter/foster care students into appropriate school settings, obtain educational histories, refer students for educational assessments as needed, and support placement staff in educational planning. Additionally, liaisons will provide referrals for tutoring services and limited case management. Through these supports, Foster Youth are experiencing higher pass rates on the California High School Graduation Exam and increasing school completion rates (including graduation, California High School Proficiency Exam and the GED). The Education Liaisons in San Mateo County will connect foster youth to a variety of educational support services to ensure that they stay in school and surpass the State’s foster youth high school completion average of 58%.
It is in the best interest of the County to waive the Request for Proposal (RFP) process because SMCOE is a sole source provider.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
This agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by helping youth in shelter homes or foster care avoid loss of valuable school credits and by being placed in appropriate school programs. This agreement further contributes to educational stability for youth by ensuring educational liaisons are available to support youth in navigating San Mateo County school districts. It is anticipated that the number of school days lost for shelter/foster youth transferring between schools and districts will reduce by an average of one to two days. Additionally, through the services in this agreement, the percentage of Foster Youth completing their High School Diploma, High School Equivalency Certificate and / or Certificate of Completion will increase to 88% in order to surpass the foster youth State average graduation rate of 58 % or higher and will continue to increase in future years.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY2018-19 Projected |
FY 2019-20 Projected |
|
Reduction in the average number of school days lost in transferring schools upon entering foster care. |
1.25 days |
1.21 days |
|
Percent of Foster Youth provided support for high school students to ensure the attainment of a High School Diploma, High School Equivalency Certificate and/or Certificate of Completion at a rate that surpasses the foster youth State average graduation rate (58%). |
88% |
90% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is August 20, 2018 through August 31, 2020. The total obligation is $420,116, of which $142,839 is funded through Child Welfare Services (CWS) federal funds, $138,639 is State Realignment 2011, and $138,638 is Net County Cost. Appropriations are included in the FY 2018-19 Revised Recommended Budget and FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget.