DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 22-488 with Focus Forward for Foster Youth Supervision Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Focus Forward, extending the term for one additional year from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, and increasing rates with no change to the compensation maximum of $1,889,970.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will support the Department’s need for supervision services through the current partner Focus Forward. Partnering for supervision services is a new endeavor for the Department and has proven to be an excellent support in addressing supervision needs throughout the County, as the partner is committed to providing the service regardless of location. The amendment will allow for an additional year of service and new rates to accompany it. Focus Forward is currently the only partner assisting the Department to meet this service need, and through this partnership the Department expects to gain sufficient experience to support building future service capacity through a competitive bid process. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board choose not to approve the recommended action, the Department would need to look internally and possibly evaluate overtime to meet overnight or weekend supervision needs for foster youth.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation ($1,889,970) will remain the same, as there has been underutilization in prior years. Rate increases will be offset with Child Welfare Services 2011 Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
On October 25, 2022, your Board approved an agreement with Focus Forward to provide supervision for youth who are temporarily in the care and jurisdiction of the Department while pending placement. That agreement was procured under a suspension of competition after the Department received only one, incomplete, response to Request for Quotation 21-051 for these services.
On May 21, 2024, the Board approved an amendment to the original agreement with Focus Forward to increase hourly rates and increase the maximum compensation. Approval of the new rates allowed Focus Forward to provide supervision services with the frequency and at the variety of locations that the Department requires.
Since entering into the original agreement, the Department’s hourly need for supervision services in various locations has increased, which are direct components of the hourly rates. Increases in Departmental hourly and location needs are no longer appropriately supported through the existing rate structure as at the time the structure was built the Department had limited information. As of March 2026, Focus Forward has provided over 10,000 hours of services supporting over 150 high-level needs youth since November 2022.
Additionally, Focus Forward is committed to working with the Department and continues to understand the need for flexibility to ensure the service provided promotes safety of youth while Department staff secure appropriate plans of care including placement. Adjusting rates and expected hours of service will allow Focus Forward to ensure sufficient staffing is available to provide services with the frequency and at the locations required by the Department.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #55, May 21, 2024
BAI #55, October 25, 2022
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Focus Forward
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander