DATE: May 21, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: First Amendment 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. 1 to Agreement with Focus Forward to increase hourly rates for service, effective upon execution with no change to the contract term of November 1, 2022, through the final optional year, ending June 30, 2026, and increasing the maximum compensation by $669,410 to a total 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 increased 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 provide the service regardless of location. The amendment will allow a change in the hourly rate based on actual departmental need changes. 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 increase to the maximum compensation amount by the recommended amendment ($669,410) will be offset with Child Welfare Services 2011 Realignment funds in lieu of State General Funds, as this specific service is an eligible service under Title IV-B which was included in the 2011 Realignment legislation. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2023-24 Adopted 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.
Since entering into that 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 February 2024, Focus Forward has provided 8,495 hours of services supporting over 130 high-level needs youth since November 2022. The new rates, representing an approximately 15% increase for FY24-25 and a further 5% increase effective FY25-26 over current rates, will allow Focus Forward to provide supervision services with the frequency, and at the variety of locations that the Department requires.
Additionally, Focus Forward is committed to working with the Department and continues to understand the need for flexibility to assure 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, October 25, 2022
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with Focus Forward
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander