DATE: March 28, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment I to Agreement with Cultural Brokers, Inc., for Family Advocacy and Liaison Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to Agreement A-14-108 with Cultural Brokers Inc. for family advocacy and liaison services effective upon execution through March 31, 2019 ($1,462,810).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to continue to provide family advocacy and liaison services to families involved in the Child Welfare Services system. The proposed Amendment will allow for two additional one year terms of (April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2019). The additional funds are necessary to maintain and enhance current services, with no Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, services to families involved with Child Welfare Services will be reduced which may result in an increase of children entering foster care or a decrease in family reunification.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the recommended Amendment for the period of April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2019 is $1,462,810, an increase of $638,392. Cost of the Amendment will be fully offset through the SB163 Trust Fund. Sufficient appropriations are included in the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Organization 5610 and will be included in subsequent requested budgets.
DISCUSSION:
As a result of a formal competitive bid process, an agreement with Cultural Brokers Inc. was executed by your Board on March 25, 2014 for the provision of provide Family Advocacy and Liaison Services. These services are valuable to families and have been shown to reduce the likelihood of a family entering the Child Welfare Services system. Family advocates act as liaisons between families and the Department to improve the likelihood a child can remain safely in their home or improve the likelihood of reunification when a child has been removed.
The recommended Amendment will extend the current agreement for two additional one year terms. Since April 1, 2014, Cultural Brokers Inc. has served an average of 485 families annually and will serve a similar number during the extension period. Additionally, services will be expanded to provide similar services to families where legal guardianship assistance is deemed appropriate. These services will target relative families of children at high risk of entering foster care where legal guardianship will increase safety and stability and permanency.
If approved, the recommended Amendment will be effective upon execution through March 31, 2019 with the same terms and conditions unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal not later than sixty (60) days prior to the close of the current term. The Agreement may be terminated by the Contractor, County or the DSS Director or designee upon providing a thirty (30) day advance written notice. The Department has one other agreement with Cultural Brokers, Inc. ($704,199) for Parent Partner and Home visitor Services.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #49, March 25, 2014
BAI #19, January 6, 2015
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On File with Clerk - Amendment
On File with Clerk - Agreement A-14-108
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander