DATE: October 8, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with North Star Family Center, for Supervised Family Time Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with North Star Family Center for the provision of supervised family time services, effective upon execution, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $4,964,351.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow North Star Family Center to provide family time services, previously known as supervised visitation services, to parents and children involved in the Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Welfare Services (CWS). These services are mandated by the Juvenile Court to reduce trauma to children and ensure the safety of abused and neglected children during visitation. The total cost of the recommended Agreement will be funded with a combination of Federal, State and County Social Services Realignment funds. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative. If the recommended action is not approved, the capacity of DSS to meet court-ordered family time services will be significantly reduced and will have an adverse effect on children and families involved in CWS who are separated by out-of-home care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum amount of the Agreement ($4,964,351) will be fully offset with Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) and California Senate Bill 163 Trust funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues have been included in the DSS Org. 5610 FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests. To the extent permitted by State and Federal regulations, advance payment of up to ten percent of the maximum compensation may be requested from the County by the Subrecipient.
DISCUSSION:
When it is necessary to remove children from a parent or caretaker due to issues of abuse or neglect, court-ordered services are provided for families to address identified issues and promote family reunification. Family time is a critical component of these services. Frequent family time between children and their families promote the goal of reunification, support attachment, and enhance the child’s sense of well-being and self-esteem. Consistent, reliable family time also assists parents with parenting skills and aid in the social worker’s assessment of the child and family.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) #056 was issued on March 29, 2024, for supervised family time services. DSS capacity needs were specified and bidders could propose to bid on all or a portion of these services. The RFP notice was sent to approximately 225 potential bidders by the Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division. Three proposals were received by the RFP closing date of May 3, 2024, and all were accepted for review. A five-member review committee was established and comprised of representatives from the DSS, the Department of Behavioral Health, First Five Fresno County, and Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. Proposals were reviewed and ranked based on the RFP specifications, response quality, proposed services, and cost. The review committee selected North Star Family Center for the provision of requested services due to their experience working with the target population and proposal to provide in-home visitations as an effort to assist with the overall goal of family reunification.
The recommended Agreement will allow DSS to refer 900 families to North Star Family Center annually. Services include both supervised family time and a higher-level family time service known as intensive supervised family time. Referrals for higher needs families are provided by clinically trained or clinically supervised staff. Services will be provided primarily in the North Star Family Center’s Fresno location or in-home dependent on eligibility.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #58, September 10, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with North Star Family Center
CAO ANALYST:
Amina Flores-Becker