DATE: September 10, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Comprehensive Youth Services of Fresno, Inc. for
Visitation Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Comprehensive Youth Services, Inc. for the provision of supervised visitation services, effective October 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 $ 4,958,100.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to continue to provide supervised visitation services to parents and children who are involved in the Department’s Child Welfare Services (CWS). These services are mandated by Juvenile Court to reduce trauma to children, and ensure the safety of abused and neglected children during visitation. Services will be provided primarily in Fresno and minimally in Selma, at the following addresses, respectively, 4545 N West Ave, Fresno, CA 93705, 1398 Indianapolis Ave. suite 102, Fresno, CA 93705, and 1940 E. Front Street, Selma 93662. The total cost of the recommended Agreements will be funded with a combination of Federal, State and County Social Services Realignment funds, with no increase to Net County Cost. This item pertains to locations in District 2 and District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If this item is not approved, the Department’s capacity to meet court-ordered supervised visitation services will be significantly reduced, having an adverse effect on children and families involved in CWS who are separated by out-of-home care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum amount of the Agreement ($4,958,100) will be fully offset with Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) and 2011 Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget for the Department of Social Services, Org 5610, and will be included in subsequent budget years.
DISCUSSION:
When children are removed from a parent or caretaker due to issues of abuse or neglect, court-ordered services are provided to address identified issues and promote family reunification. Visitation is a critical component of these services. Frequent visits between children and their families promote reunification, support attachment, and enhance the child’s sense of well-being and self-esteem. Consistent, reliable visits also assist parents with parenting skills and aid in the social worker’s assessment of the child and family. The Department’s current contracted supervised visitation services will terminate September 30, 2019.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) #19-076 was issued on May 24, 2019 for supervised visitation services. Department capacity needs were specified and bidders could propose to bid on all or a portion of these services. The RFP notice was sent to over 800 potential bidders. The RFP Review Committee was comprised of three members that included representatives of the Departments of Social Services and Behavioral Health, and a representative from First Five Fresno County. The County Purchasing Department chaired the procurement process.
Two proposals were submitted by the RFP closing date, one from Comprehensive Youth Services of Fresno, Inc. (CYS), who bid on approximately 50% of the Department’s capacity needs, and one from Prevention & Strengthening Solutions, Inc. (PSS). Purchasing deemed the PSS proposal non-responsive and did not submit it to the Review Committee for review. Purchasing indicated the PSS proposal was significantly deficient as “critical items were missing” such as “a signed addendum #1, a detailed cost proposal and narrative, and responses to the Scope of Work Requirements…”
The Review Committee reviewed the CYS proposal based upon the RFP specifications, response quality, proposed services and cost. Identified strengths included a clear understanding of the target population, the experience level of staff and the organization, a demonstrated ability to provide the services and years of providing supervised visitation for the Department and the Fresno County Courts. The Review Committee unanimously recommended funding CYS for the provision of the requested services. Given no other considered proposals, the Review Committee also recommended, and Purchasing concurred, that the Department enter negotiations with CYS to expand their proposed capacity to meet the Department’s full requested needs. This was successfully accomplished.
The recommended Agreement will allow the Department to refer 1,050 families to CYS annually. Services include both supervised visitation and a higher-level supervised visitation service, known as intensive supervised visitation. Referrals for higher need families are provided by clinically trained or clinically supervised staff. Services will be provided primarily at the Fresno location and limited services in Selma, as need dictates.
The recommended Agreement is effective October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022 and includes the option to extend for two additional twelve-month periods with written notice by the Department Director or designee and CYS at the same terms and conditions.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI# 27 September 9, 2014
BAI# 28 September 9, 2014
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander