DATE: June 4, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. for Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. for domestic violence and human trafficking victim assistance services, effective July 1, 2019, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed, $3,545,145.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. to continue to provide outreach and direct services to non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes. Services will be delivered in accordance with the State Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP), and are designed to improve safety, well-being and self-sufficiency. The recommended agreement will be 100% funded with the TCVAP allocation, with no Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board not approve the recommended action, services to non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes would not be provided, and State allocated funds for this purpose would not be used.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the Agreement ($3,545,145) will be fully offset with TCVAP funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Org 5610 FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget years.
DISCUSSION:
Human trafficking involves controlling a person with force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual or labor exploitation. The Trafficking Victim Protection Act of 2000 federally criminalized human trafficking and provided two nonimmigrant visas to provide victims with safety and permanency while aiding law enforcement in prosecution of the victim’s perpetrators. In 2006, California enacted Senate Bill 1569 to further provide temporary and immediate access to social services for non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes. An annual allocation of State funding through TCVAP allows the County to provide services to impacted victims. The current agreement for TCVAP services will expire June 30, 2019.
On January 29, 2019, Request for Proposal (RFP) #19-045 was released to 800 potential bidders registered through Public Purchase. In addition, the RFP notice was sent to an additional bidders list consisting of 10 local organizations that provide various services to victims of Human Trafficking. A RFP Review Committee was established, comprised of five members that included representatives of the Departments of Social Services and Behavioral Health, a community member and a hospital clinical manager.
Two proposals were received by the closing date from two organizations, Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. (CLF) and Prevention & Strengthening Solutions, Inc. The proposal received from Prevention & Strengthening Solutions, Inc. was deemed non-responsive by the Internal Services Department - Purchasing and was not submitted to the RFP Review Committee for review or consideration.
The proposal submitted by CLF was reviewed and considered based upon the RFP specifications, response quality, proposed services and cost. Identified strengths in CLF’s proposal included their experience working with the target population, knowledge of the TCVAP program, and collaboration with other agencies integral to serving targeted individuals. The RFP Review Committee also recognized CLF’s leadership, capacity, staffing, and organizational readiness to successfully provide the requested services. Based on upon review of the proposal, the Review Committee unanimously recommended to fund CLF for the provision of the requested services.
If approved, the recommended Agreement will allow CLF to provide services to 600 non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes annually. Services will raise community awareness and identify and assist victims. Program outcomes include victim stabilization, recovery from trauma, increased self-sufficiency, and community-wide understanding of the effects on victims of trafficking in Fresno County. In FY 2018-19 CLF served approximately 550 families with a variety of services that included crisis intervention, protective orders, counseling, legal and immigration assistance.
The term of this agreement shall be for a period of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022, and may be extended for two (2) additional consecutive twelve (12) month periods upon written approval of both parties no later than thirty (30) days prior to the first day of the next twelve (12) month extension period. The DSS Director, or designee, is authorized to execute such written approval on behalf or County based on contractors’ satisfactory performance. The Agreement may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day advance written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #41 April 4, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander