DATE: June 6, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
Rick Chavez, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools for Foster
Youth Network and Data Share Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools to continue participation in the Foster Youth Network, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020 ($0).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow authorized individuals within the Departments of Social Services and Probation to exchange information pertaining to foster or probation youth with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) and local school districts. The recommended agreement does not require compensation for participation. County participation in the exchange of information with school districts is essential to improve educational and well-being outcomes for foster youth, with no Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Non-approval of the recommended action may delay and/or reduce access to information needed to improve educational outcomes for foster youth.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended agreement requires no monetary exchange between FCSS and the County. The Department of Social Services and Probation assign staff to monitor the educational progress of foster youth as a normal course of departmental functions. Salary and benefit costs associated with these functions will be included in the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budgets for the Departments of Social Services Org 5610 and Probation Org 3430, and will be included in subsequent Recommended Budgets.
DISCUSSION:
Since January 2012, the County has maintained a Board-approved agreement with FCSS that allow the Departments of Social Services and Probation to participate in a web-based information sharing database known as Foster Youth Network (FYN). The FYN is intended to improve collaboration and exchange of information across agencies serving foster youth to improve educational outcomes and child well-being. The information obtained through the FYN is critical to the provision of timely and comprehensive services to these children. The current agreement with FCSS will expire June 30, 2017. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Departments to continue participation in the FYN.
The FYN allows access to: (1) academic, attendance, and disciplinary records; (2) contact information for significant individuals in the student's life; and (3) school placement history. The database also allows designated staff to document educational plans for foster youth. Authorized individuals with access to the FYN comply with confidentiality provisions and only access records for the purpose of providing supportive services to foster youth. The exchange of data is permitted through a Fresno County Superior Court Order and the Welfare and Institutions Code sections 16001.9 and 16011. et. seq. The Department of Social Services and Probation will ensure the sharing of specific information under the recommended agreement is allowable under applicable law.
The recommended agreement will be effective July 1, 2017 and will expire June 30, 2020 unless either party submits prior written notice of termination. The recommended agreement varies from standard County template as it is drafted by FCSS. The recommended agreement includes a provision that provides FCSS the right to charge a fee at a later time upon written notice. In the event that fees are requested, the Departments will bring an amendment before your Board for consideration.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #45, August 19, 2014
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with FCSS
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander