DATE: October 9, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Central Valley Children’s Services Network for Child Care Navigator, Training and Coaching, and Voucher Distribution Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for child care navigator services, training and coaching as Central Valley Children’s Services Network is the only local State-designated Resource and Referral agency in Fresno County that provides these services; and
2. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances for voucher distribution services ; and
3. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Central Valley Children’s Services Network to provide child care navigator services, training and coaching, and voucher distribution services, effective November 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021, which includes an eight-month base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $2,656,229.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department to participate in the California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) Emergency Child Care Bridge program for Foster Youth (Bridge) and receive allocated funding. This program will improve the safety and stability of foster children by eliminating a lack of child care as a barrier to the placement of a foster child in a potential care provider’s home. Services include child care financial assistance, training and coaching and supportive services for childcare providers and caregivers. Total cost of the recommended agreement will be offset with a combination of Federal, State and Child Welfare funds, with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. If the recommended actions are not approved, the Department will be unable to participate in the Bridge program, which may impact the safety and placement stability of children entering foster care.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE
The Department requests to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for child care navigator services, training and coaching. As a Bridge program requirement, CDSS requires counties to contract with their local State-designated Resource and Referral (R&R) agency for these services. Central Valley Children’s Services Network (CVCSN) is the only agency in Fresno County that meets this designation.
The Department requests to suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances for voucher distribution services, also a Bridge program requirement. CDSS allows the Department to contract with a local Alternative Payment Program for these services, and in Fresno there are two such agencies, one being CVCSN. As the Bridge Program has a variety of program requirements including stringent reporting and CVCSN is required to provide the child care navigator, training and supportive services, the Department finds that it is in the best interests to keep both program components in one contract and allow CVCSN to administer the voucher distribution component, as well. The Internal Services Department - Purchasing concurs with the Department’s request to waive/suspend the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum cost of the Agreement ($2,656,229) will be offset using a combination of Federal, State and Child Welfare funds. Advanced payment of up to twenty percent (20%) of the maximum initial term compensation may be requested by Contractor. Sufficient appropriations and revenues are included in the FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget for Department Org 5610, and will be included in subsequent budgets.
DISCUSSION:
Senate Bill 89 (2017) established the Bridge Program to provide monthly child care financial assistance, child care navigator services, and training and coaching to families and child care providers who care for foster children. The goal is to remove barriers for families that seek placement of a foster child where cost or accessibility to child care is an issue. Participation in the Bridge Program will increase the number of foster children placed in home settings, and increase capacity of child care programs to meet their needs.
Approval of the recommended actions will meet the CDSS’ requirements to contract with their local R&R agency (CVCSN) for the provision of several Bridge program components: child care navigation, training and coaching. CVCSN will also administer monthly voucher payment distribution to participating families. The recommended agreement will allow CVCSN to work with relative caregivers and resource families to find subsidized child care, complete child care applications and develop long-term plans for high-quality child care. CVCSN will also provide training and coaching to these and other day care providers to improve services to foster youth.
If approved, the recommended agreement will be effective November 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 with two optional one-year extensions under the same terms and conditions, unless CVCSN, the County, the DSS Director or designee provides written notice of non-renewal no later than 30 days prior to the close of the current term. The agreement may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30 day advance written notice.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement
PD-047 Sole Source Acquisition Request
PD-048 Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander