Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Social Change Partners
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Social Change Partners, to continue to provide Child Welfare Prevention Planning consultation services, increasing the funding by $200,000 for a new total obligation amount not to exceed $350,000, increasing the term by 24 months for a new term of November 16, 2022 to December 31, 2025.
body
BACKGROUND:
In April 2021, San Mateo County’s Human Services Agency (HSA) received State Block Grant funding for the Family First Prevention Services Program (FFPS). The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) requires that any county receiving FFPS funding develop a comprehensive prevention plan (CPP). The components of a CPP includes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and intervention strategies and services that support the ability of parents and families to provide safe, stable, and nurturing environments for their children. Interventions and strategies must include culturally appropriate and responsive services that are tailored to meet the needs of local families who are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system.
In September 2022, the Human Services Agency (HSA), Children and Family Services (CFS) branch issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a Child Welfare prevention planning consultant to help HSA facilitate prevention planning and implementation efforts as part of FFPS and the CPP. Social Change Partners (SCP) was selected to provide the services based on their experience and method per the RFP evaluation scoring. On November 22, 2022, the parties entered into a director-level agreement for the term of November 16, 2022 to December 31, 2023 and a total obligation amount not to exceed $150,000.
The original deadline for the CPP submission was January 31, 2023, however CDSS extended this to July 31, 2023. In addition to changing the deadline, CDSS also made changes to the guidance related to the core components required in the CPP and diverted much of the technical support, that CDSS was going to provide, to the counties.
DISCUSSION:
HSA requests to amend the agreement to extend the term by 24 months and increase funding to cover the additional technical support needed for implementation of the CPP, and additional time and funding to support the evaluation and redesign efforts of the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC). Circumstances surrounding the development and implementation timeline and the core elements of the CPP continue to evolve with CDSS and CFS needs technical expertise to interpret the complex regulations.
As new regulations are issued, SCP will help the County interpret this information, support the development implementation plans, and ensure that the implementation plans align with the legislation and regulations. In addition, SCP will provide consultation around technical matters related to implementation planning, regulation interpretation, claiming of Title IV-E funds for the activities in the CPP, communications with the State, and ongoing CAPC redesign implementation efforts.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and the amendment as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2023-24 Anticipated |
FY 2024-25 Target |
FY 2025-26 Target |
|
SCP will prepare evaluation summaries including interpretation of new FFPSA regulations impacting the CPP or implementation of CPP strategies within ten business days of issuance. |
95% |
95% |
95% |
|
Complete evaluation of CAPC with recommended redesign structure and activities by January 30, 2024. |
100% |
NA |
NA |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is November 16, 2022 through December 31, 2025 for a total amount $350,000. The total obligation of this agreement is anticipated to be funded through Child Welfare Services Family First Transition Act revenue. There is no Net County Cost. The funding and appropriations for these services are included in the Child Welfare Services FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budgets.