DATE: December 9, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Youth Law Center for Bypass Policy Consultation 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 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 Youth Law Center as this vendor is uniquely qualified to provide consultation services for Child Welfare Staff and is able to assist the Department immediately; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Youth Law Center for consultation services, effective upon execution through June 30, 2027, which includes the base contract and one optional one-year extension, total not to exceed $133,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Youth Law Center (YLC) to provide specialized consultation services specifically to evaluate and address issues surrounding the bypass of reunification services. There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The
Agreement maximum, including the optional one-year extension, is $133,000 and will be funded with Title IV-B/2011 Realignment fund. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, it will preclude the Department from engaging YLC’s consultation services. This limitation would significantly hinder the Department’s ability to close critical service gaps for families identified as bypass recommended.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION CONTRACT:
It is requested that the County find under AP No. 34 that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement is satisfied, and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances, given YLC’s expertise in child welfare services and their established leadership in advocacy for families engaged with the child welfare system. While national organizations such as the National Center for Youth Law and the Child Welfare League of America bring reputable expertise in youth advocacy, they lack the embedded, county-specific insight essential for effectively partnering with the Department. Their limited familiarity with Fresno County’s unique system dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and policy landscape poses a considerable barrier to providing meaningful, actionable support.
The YLC is nationally recognized for its deep expertise in child welfare services and its pioneering leadership in family advocacy. Through its flagship program, the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI), YLC has transformed care standards by promoting strong, nurturing relationships as a foundation for well-being and stability.
Leveraging the latest brain and developmental science, YLC’s work spans the full developmental spectrum - from infants to young adults - shaping foster care and juvenile justice policies and practices that are evidence-based and participant-driven. Their commitment to excellence in care includes a focus on access to critical transition, health, and educational supports for all youth, regardless of their placement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.
In addition, YLC has catalyzed collaboration among faith communities to advocate for and support children in state custody, reinforcing a network of care that extends beyond institutional systems.
YLC’s specialized qualifications make them an indispensable resource in addressing the Department’s critical service needs. 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 action. The maximum cost for the recommended Agreement, including the optional one-year extension, is $133,000 and will be offset with Title IV-B/2011 Realignment fund. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Agreement with YLC is a targeted and timely initiative to enhance the County’s Child Welfare practice surrounding bypass determinations. In Child Welfare, a “bypass” allows an agency or Court to forego reunification services for a parent, often accelerating termination of parental rights or adoption planning. These determinations occur within an established statutory framework but require clear internal guidance for staff practice, documentation and assessment. The Department seeks to safely reunite children with their families when appropriate and intends to partner with an agency to review existing Departmental processes to improve Child Welfare practices by clarifying bypass procedures, strengthening consistency in practice and ensuring decision-making reflects regulations and the child’s best interests.
YLC offers nationally recognized expertise in Child Welfare systems improvement, developmental research and evidence-informed practices. Their role will focus on reviewing and refining departmental processes, assessment protocols, report-writing practices, case planning in complex circumstances and consistency in reunification readiness considerations. YLC shall not provide any legal advice, advocacy, or services which require a license to practice law.
YLC’s multidisciplinary team, including developmental science experts, will support actionable reforms that reinforce staff practice, documentation standards and alignment with Child Welfare best practices.
YLC has indicated that they are unable to increase their insurance policy limits for Professional and Cyber Liability coverage at this time. While HR Risk recommended coverage levels of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate for Professional Liability, and $2,000,000 per occurrence for Cyber Liability, YLC has confirmed they can maintain coverage at $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate for Professional Liability, and $1,000,000 per occurrence for Cyber Liability.
Given the low-risk nature of the vendor and the services provided, the Department has made a business decision to proceed with YLC’s current coverage levels.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreement with YLC
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander