DATE: June 6, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with VMS Family Counseling Services for Resource Family Training and Support Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with VMS Family Counseling Services for the provision of Resource Family training and support services, effective July 1, 2017, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $2,398,138.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to provide State mandated and other specialized trainings to Fresno County resource families to improve the quality of care to children in out-of-home care. These services, in addition to support activities, are also intended to increase Resource Family recruitment and retention. The agreement maximum ($2,398,138) will be offset with Title IV-B Federal funds. There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the recommended action is not approved, the Department will not be able to meet the State training requirements for resource families, and the quality of care for children in out-of-home care may be negatively impacted.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the recommended Agreement ($2,398,138) will be offset with Title IV-B Federal funds, as some of the training components can be considered direct service trainings. Sufficient appropriations will be included in the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget for the Department of Social Services, Organization 5610, and will be requested in subsequent budgets.
The recommended administrative costs as compared to the total budget are 10.2% for FY 2017-18, 11.8% for FY 2018-19, 9.27% for FY 2019-20, 9.55% for FY 2020-21, and 8.42% for FY 2021-22. The recommended employee benefits costs for each FY are at 10% as compared to the total salaries. The benefits calculation includes employee payroll taxes, State disability and unemployment insurance. Based on similar contract services, the percentages are both reasonable and necessary for the administration of the program.
DISCUSSION:
Resource families provide an invaluable service for the Department in caring for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. To ensure these families possess the knowledge, ability and skills to care for foster children placed in their care, the Department, consistent with State requirements, provides ongoing training and support services. Traditionally, these services have been required only of licensed foster parents. Recent changes in legislation now require similar training opportunities for other types of placement families that include relatives, non-related extended family members and families wanting to adopt.
As a whole, any family that takes placement of children in foster care is now referred to as a resource family. Given the expanded definition of resource families and the Department’s need to increase the number of resource families to meet placement needs, the number of resource families in need of ongoing training is expected to increase from approximately 150 in the current year to over 350 per year in FY 2017-18. The Department’s current contract for foster parent training and support services will expire June 30, 2017.
On January 17, 2017, Request for Proposal (RFP) #17-053 for ongoing Resource Family Training and Support Services was sent to 845 potential bidders. Three proposals were received by the closing date and two were accepted by County Purchasing for review. A five-member review committee was established and comprised of representatives from the Departments of Social Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health and the community. Proposals were reviewed and ranked based upon the RFP specifications, response quality, proposed services and costs. The review committee unanimously selected VMS Family Counseling Services for funding and the recommended Agreement represents the review committee's final recommendation.
Approval of the recommended Agreement will ensure Fresno County resource families receive mandated core trainings including the effect of trauma on brain development, understanding the impact of child abuse and neglect and positive discipline. Additionally, specialized courses in crisis intervention, behavior management and administration of psychotropic drugs will be provided to help resource parents meet the demands of children with special health care needs. Each family is required to complete 20 hours of training annually.
Additional resources and support services will also be provided to increase the satisfaction and retention of Fresno County resource families. Support services will include monthly support groups and assistance in planning and participating in the Annual Resource Family Let's Talk Conference.
The recommended Agreement will be effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020 and includes the option to be extended for two twelve-month periods with the same terms and conditions upon written approval of both parties executed no later than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the next twelve-month extension period. The Department Director or designee is authorized to execute such written approval on behalf of the County based on the Contractor’s satisfactory performance. The recommended Agreement gives the Department Director or designee authority to terminate the Agreement without cause upon giving 60-days advance written notice.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with VMS Family Counseling Service
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander