DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer, Probation Department
Joe Prado, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Amendment to Fresno County Inter-Agency Continuum of Care Collaboration of Youth and Family Services MOU
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to the Memorandum of Understanding, A-21-200, with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and Central Valley Regional Center for system of care collaboration for youth and family services, effective upon execution ($0).
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval will bring the County into compliance with statutory requirements under Assembly Bill 2083 (Chapter 815, Statutes of 2018), and Assembly Bill 153 (Chapter 86, Statutes of 2021), which mandate Tribal consultation and participation in County Systems of Care. The amendment also updates the MOU to align with current practices, governance structures, and procedures. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended action, the County will be out of compliance with State mandates and will miss key opportunities to strengthen system alignment, improve child-serving outcomes, and formally include Tribal voices in the System of Care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
On June 8, 2021, your Board approved Agreement No. A-21-200 establishing Fresno County’s Interagency Memorandum of Understanding pursuant to Assembly Bill 2083 (Chapter 815, Statutes of 2018). Assembly Bill 2083 requires counties to formalize a coordinated System of Care for foster children and youth who have experienced severe trauma. The MOU sets forth commitments among system partners to align resources, coordinate services, and ensure trauma-informed care.
In 2021, the Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 153 (Chapter 86, Statutes of 2021), amending Welfare and Institutions Code section 16521.6 to require counties to consult with federally recognized Tribes in the development and ongoing implementation of System of Care MOUs. In 2023, the California Department of Social Services issued All County Letter 23-49, directing counties to amend their MOUs to include formal Tribal participation. Additional mandates reinforcing Tribal participation include Assembly Bill 3176 (Chapter 833, Statutes of 2018), Welfare and Institutions Code sections 224.4, 346, and 16501(a)(4)(B)(i)(VII), and the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 United States Code sections 1911(c) and 1915. Executive Order B-10-11 (2011) further directs California agencies to engage in government-to-government consultation with Tribes.
The amended MOU incorporates these mandates by adding Tribal Governments as participants in the Interagency Leadership Team and Executive Advisory Committee. It affirms that Tribal representatives must be included in child and family teaming and placement decision-making for Indian children. Additionally, it expands membership to include representatives of the Presiding Juvenile Court, health care plans administering CalAIM services, and other key partners. Consistent with AB 2083 guidance, these key partners are engaged in governance roles and collaboration but are not required to be formal signatories to the MOU. The MOU also modernizes the governance structure by clarifying the roles of the Interagency Leadership Team, Executive Advisory Committee, and Steering Committee.
Other substantive updates include stronger language on trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice, explicit recognition of the voices of foster youth, families, and Tribal elders, new provisions for development of a System of Care outcome monitoring framework, enhanced guidance on screening, assessment, and entry to care, expanded Child and Family Teaming provisions, clarification of Interagency Placement Committee membership and functions, and updated financial resource management and training commitments. An electronic signature provision was also added to align with current County contracting procedures.
The development of this amendment required additional time to support engagement with Tribal Governments and ensure the MOU reflects authentic collaboration and culturally responsive practices. In addition, the system partners worked with a consultant specializing in System of Care implementation to strengthen alignment with the Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM) and evolving State initiatives. This collaborative process included a comprehensive review and restructuring effort to ensure the MOU accurately reflects current practices, governance functions, and State expectations for System of Care operations.
The amendment also includes a mutual indemnification clause and corresponding insurance requirements to ensure each signatory agency remains responsible for its own actions and liabilities.
If approved, the amended MOU will be effective upon execution and will remain in effect unless terminated by a party with 30 days’ written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #43, June 8, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment to Agreement No. 21-200
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander