DATE: June 22, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Central Valley Children’s Services Network for Childcare Navigator, Training and Coaching, and Voucher Distribution Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to:
a. waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual and extraordinary circumstances as Central Valley Children’s Services Network is the only local State-designated Resource and Referral agency in Fresno County;
b. suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances as Central Valley Children’s Services Network would conduct childcare voucher distribution services while providing childcare navigator services and training; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Central Valley Children’s Services Network to provide childcare navigator services, training and coaching, and childcare voucher distribution services, effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026, which includes a two-year base contract and three optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $7,218,840.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department to continue to participate in the California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) Emergency Childcare Bridge Program for Foster Youth (Bridge). The program improves the safety and stability of foster children by eliminating lack of childcare as a barrier to placement of a foster child in a potential resource family’s home. Services include childcare financial assistance, training, coaching, and supportive services for childcare providers and caregivers. The recommended agreement will be offset with State General Funds, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Department will be unable to continue participation in the State’s Bridge program, which may impact placement options for children entering foster care.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
The Department requests to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 as Central Valley Children’s Services Network (CVCSN) is the local State-designated Resource and Referral (R&R) agency. As a Bridge program requirement, CDSS mandates counties contract with their local State-designated R&R for these services. CVCSN is the only agency in Fresno County that meets this designation.
The Department also requests to suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances for voucher distribution services, also a Bridge program requirement. While there are two agencies in the County that provide childcare voucher distribution services, the Department finds that it is in the best interest of the County to keep both program components in one contract and allow CVCSN to administer the voucher distribution component. The Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division concurs with the Department’s request to waive the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum amount for the five-year agreement is $7,218,840 and will be fully offset using State General Funds. The costs for the childcare navigator services, training and admin are $2,539,280; the voucher costs are $4,679,560. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
Senate Bill 89 (Chapter 24, Statutes of 2017) established the Bridge program to provide monthly childcare financial assistance, childcare navigator services, and trauma-informed training and coaching to families and childcare providers who care for foster children. The goal is to ensure that placement options for children entering foster care, particularly with working relatives, are established by removing barriers associated with accessing or paying for childcare.
The recommended agreement will allow CVCSN to continue working with relative caregivers and resource families to find subsidized childcare, complete childcare applications, and develop long-term plans for high-quality childcare. CVCSN will also continue to administer monthly childcare voucher payments for up to one year to participating families and/or their childcare providers. CVCSN will provide trauma-informed training and coaching to childcare providers to improve services to foster youth.
Since November 2018, the Department has provided assistance to approximately 80 foster care providers, generally relatives, to locate and/or offset the cost of childcare, where this was an identified barrier to placement. The recommended agreement will allow CVCSN to serve approximately 200 new families and provide a minimum of 100 trainings/coaching sessions.
If approved, the recommended agreement will be effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023 and includes the option to renew for three additional 12-month terms based on satisfactory performance with written notice by the Department Director, or designee, and Contractor. The agreement may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30 day advance written notice.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Sole Source Acquisition Request
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Central Valley Children’s Services Network
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa