DATE: March 7, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Master Agreement for Psychosocial Assessments for the Resource
Family Approval Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Master Agreement with the following vendors for Psychosocial Assessments for the Resource Family Approval Program effective upon execution through June 30, 2018, total not to exceed $1,987,500:
a. Aspiranet b. Family Connection Christian Adoptions
c. Golden State Family Services d. Koinonia Family Services
e. Infant of Prague f. Promesa Behavioral Health
g. North Star Family Center
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or designee, to add and/or delete service provider(s) to the Master Agreement, as necessary.
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2016-17 appropriations in the Protective Services Subaccount Organization 6210 in the amount of $596,250 (4/5 vote).
4. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues for the Department of Social Services Organization 5610 in the amount of $596,250 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
The recommended actions will allow the Department to meet new mandated services, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code (W&IC) section 16519.5, and Assembly Bill (AB) 403 (Chapter 773, Statutes of 2015) Continuum of Care Reform, which require Psychosocial Assessments be completed for the Resource Family Approval (RFA) Program.
Approval of the first and second recommended actions will allow the Department to use community providers to complete the required Psychosocial Assessments for families that may be a placement resource for children in foster care, and authorizes the Department Director to add and/or delete vendors as necessary to the Master Agreement to meet service needs without exceeding the contract maximum. The third and fourth recommended actions are budget resolutions that will allow the Local Revenue Fund 2011 Special Revenue Fund 0271, to fund the cost of the Master Agreement, with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Non-approval of the recommended actions will hinder the implementation of the Continuum of Care Reform and Welfare and institutions Code, Section 16519.5 that mandate Psychosocial Assessments for prospective Resource Families. This will impact the ability of the Department to provide approved placement resources for children in foster care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum cost of the Master Agreement for FY 2016-17 ($596,250) will be fully offset by funds available in the fund balance of the Local Revenue Fund 2011 Special Revenue Fund 0271. Approval of the third recommended action will increase the FY 2016-17 appropriations in the amount of $596,250 in the Protective Services Subaccount Org 6210 using available fund balance to fund an Operating Transfer Out to the Department of Social Services Org 5610. Approval of the fourth recommended action will increase the FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Department of Social Services Org 5610 in the amount of $596,250 through an Operating Transfer In from the Protective Services Subaccount Org 6210 to allow the Department to make payment for the services provided. Sufficient appropriations and revenues will be included in Fiscal Year 2017-18 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Effective January 1, 2017, applicants interested in becoming a Resource Family (foster family, relative caregiver, Non-Related Extended Family Member (NREFM), adoptive family and/or legal guardian) for a child in foster care are mandated to complete a Psychosocial Assessment as part of the new RFA program. Completion and approval of a Psychosocial Assessment is a prerequisite for the Department to allow a family to become a placement resource for a child. To meet this mandate, the Department intends to use qualified community providers on a short-term basis until capacity can be developed within the Department.
On December 12, 2016, a Request for Application for Psychosocial Assessment was released to potential applicants. Eleven responses were accepted by the closing date and were reviewed by the Department. Seven vendors met established criteria and were recommended for inclusion in the Master Agreement. Additional qualified vendors may be added throughout the term of the Agreement. The Agreement will allow contractors to provide Psychosocial Assessments for an estimated 1,250 applicants. Services will be provided on a fee-for-service basis.
If approved, the recommended Agreement will be effective upon execution through June 30, 2018 and will allow the Department Director to terminate the Agreement without cause upon the provision of a (30) day advance written notice.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Master Agreement for the RFA Program
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 5610)
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 6210)
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander