DATE: August 19, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Valley Teen Ranch
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Valley Teen Ranch for the provision of Transitional Housing Program-Plus, Family Unification Program for Youth/Foster Youth to Independence, and Family Unification Program for Families case management services, effective August 19, 2025, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a two-year base contract with three optional one-year extensions, total amount not to exceed $12,141,231.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services (Department) to continue to provide young adults formerly in foster care or probation with case management services to assist with obtaining housing and self-sufficiency and will assist families with reunifying with their child(ren) from out-of-home care. The agreement with Valley Teen Ranch (VTR) will be funded by Transitional Housing Program (THP), Housing Navigators Maintenance Program (HNMP), and Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP). This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If this item is not approved, access to housing and supportive services through Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus), Family Unification Program for Youth/Foster Youth to Independence (FUP Youth/FYI), and Family Unification Program for Families (FUP Families) would be eliminated. If these programs are eliminated, homelessness will increase for young adults and families will lack necessary resources to be reunified with their child(ren).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the agreement is $12,141,231 and will be funded with current and future rounds of THP, HNMP, and HHAP funding. Each program will be funded as follows: THP-Plus will be funded with THP and HHAP, FUP Youth/FYI will be funded with HNMP and HHAP, and FUP Families will be funded with HHAP. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget for the Department of Social Services Org 5610 and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
THP-Plus is a transitional housing program for young adults aged 18-24 years old who have exited foster care or probation. Transitional housing is essential for this population as they may not have any other support system after leaving foster care. The goal of the program is to provide housing assistance and case management services to enable the young adult to become self-sufficient and able to obtain and maintain permanent housing. Case management services are intended to assist young adults with developing self-sufficiency and transition to independent living. THP-Plus case management can be provided for up to 36 cumulative months and includes employment counseling, educational guidance, and referrals to community services.
FUP Youth/FYI provides Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) and case management services to young adults aged 18-24 years old formerly in foster care or probation. The goal of the program is to provide young adults with housing assistance and case management to enable them to become self-sufficient and to obtain and maintain permanent housing. Case management can be provided for up to 36 cumulative months and consists of job readiness, educational assistance, and referrals to community services.
FUP Families provides HCVs and case management services to families with active Child Welfare Services (CWS) cases for whom inadequate housing is a primary barrier preventing the reunification of their child(ren) from out-of-home care as they have addressed all other safety concerns and only need a safe place to reside with their children. FUP Families will provide the family with an HCV and case management services to ensure family is able to maintain housing and reunify with their child(ren). Case management services can be provided for up to six months and includes life skills and household management; job preparation and career development; and educational advancement counseling.
These services have been provided by Aspiranet since January 1, 2015.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) for THP-Plus, FUP Youth/FYI, and FUP Families case management services was released on February 25, 2025, and closed on March 27, 2025. Providers were given the option to propose services for both THP-Plus and FUP Youth/FYI, only FUP Families, or all three programs together. The Department received four proposals from the following vendors with the five-year costs noted below:
• 3R’s Transitional Housing Program, THP-Plus proposal only - (3R’s), $5,704,655
• Aspiranet, all programs - $14,558,496
• North Star Family Center, all programs - $10,774,573
• Valley Teen Ranch (VTR), all programs - $12,302,439
The review committee consisted of two Division Chiefs, a Finance Manager, and a Staff Analyst from the Department, and a Program Coordinator from the Fresno Housing Authority. The proposals were reviewed based on the following: how well the vendor demonstrated knowledge of the population to be served, how robust the proposed programs were, and how cost-effective the proposed programs were.
The review committee determined that VTR demonstrated the best understanding of the target population and services to be provided for all three programs. Additionally, the review committee determined VTR to have the most cost-effective program while still delivering a robust service. The award letter announcing the recommendation of VTR was released on Public Purchase on May 20, 2025.
If approved, the recommended agreement will allow VTR to provide case management and supportive services for up to 30 THP-Plus young adults, 66 FUP Youth/FYI young adults, and 10 FUP Families households monthly. Services will be paid on a fee-for-service basis.
The term of this agreement will be for a period of two years, commencing upon execution, through June 30, 2027, with the option to extend for three additional twelve-month periods upon written approval of both parties no later than 30 days prior to the first day of the first 12-month period.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 86, December 17, 2024
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Valley Teen Ranch
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully