DATE: August 5, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with State Center Community College
District for Educational Counseling Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Under Administrative Policy No. 34 for competitive bids or requests for proposals (AP 34), determine that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement under AP 34 is satisfied and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances, and that the best interests of the County would be served by entering into an agreement with the State Center Community College District as it is a governmental agency encompassing the three accredited Community Colleges located in Fresno County; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with State Center Community College District, to provide Educational Counseling for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Welfare-to-Work participants, effective August 5, 2025, through June 30, 2030, which includes an 11-month base contract and four optional one-year extensions ($0).
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services (Department) to partner with the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) to provide educational counseling services at Fresno City College (FCC), Reedley College (RC), and Clovis Community College (CCC) campuses to provide support to California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Welfare to Work (WTW) participants, leading to better educational outcomes and ultimate self-sufficiency. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the Board chooses not to approve the recommended actions, the Department will not be able to provide enhanced on-campus educational counseling to CalWORKs WTW participants at no cost to the County.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
It is requested that the County find under AP 34 that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement is satisfied, and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances, as SCCCD is a governmental agency that will continue to work with the Department for on-site educational services at no cost. The General Services Department - Purchasing concurs with the Department's assessment that this satisfies the exception to the competitive bidding process required by AP 34.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended Agreement requires no monetary exchange between SCCCD and the Department.
DISCUSSION:
SCCCD is the California Community College District that oversees the operations of FCC, RC and CCCC campuses. Services provided by SCCCD include enrollment assistance, educational counseling services, and specialized courses specifically for CalWORKs clients. Additionally, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will permit for co-location of Department staff at each of the three campuses at no cost to the County. This allows for students who participate in WTW to receive comprehensive services from both the Department’s Job Specialist and SCCCD counseling staff which leads to WTW participants becoming self-sufficient.
During each fiscal year, approximately 500 CalWORKs WTW participants will enroll at the three campuses. WTW participants receive an orientation regarding the program of interest and are assisted with completing necessary forms for enrollment. During the academic term, SCCCD staff meets with WTW participants to evaluate progress and determine if additional assistance is needed by the participant. If necessary, participants are referred to the Department for further assistance with issues that may interfere with success.
SCCCD is the only accredited community college district with a presence in the County’s most populous cities, including Fresno, Reedley, and Clovis. SCCCD’s location sites and presence ensures that WTW participants-particularly those who rely on public transportation or alternative modes of transit-can more easily access educational services. The Department offers supportive services through the WTW program to assist rural participants with transportation challenges, ensuring equitable access to SCCCD sites across the region.
Upon approval by the Board, the recommended agreement will be effective August 5, 2025, through June 30, 2026, plus four optional one-year renewal terms. Either party, upon providing 30-days advance written notice, may terminate the agreement without cause.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #53, June 23, 2020
BAI #87, June 16, 2015
BAI #33, August 26, 2014
BAI #14, October 16, 2012
BAI #46, August 30, 2011
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - MOU with SCCCD
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander