DATE: June 9, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools for Title IV-E Foster Care Administrative Activities
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools to allow reimbursement for Title IV-E eligible activities, effective July 1, 2020, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $2,095,439.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) to claim reimbursement for federal Title IV-E eligible activities associated with improving educational outcomes for foster youth. It is estimated that FCSS will be eligible to claim a maximum of $2,095,439 over the duration of the Agreement. The Agreement is necessary as the Department is responsible for the administration of Title IV-E funds and submission of claims to the State of California. The proposed Agreement is funded through Federal revenue, with no Net County cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the recommended action is not approved, the FCSS cannot draw down federal funds allowable to supplement foster youth educational services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the Agreement is $2,095,439 and will be offset with federal Title IV-E funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget for the Department of Social Services Org 5610 and will be included in subsequent budgets.
DISCUSSION:
FCSS has collaborated with the County for several years in serving foster youth through their Foster and Homeless Youth Education Services (FHYES) program. Their work supplements the Department’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for foster youth students. Currently foster youth constitute an at-risk subgroup distinct from low socio-economic status students for academic achievement. Foster youth are more likely than the general population to be enrolled in the lowest-performing schools and have the lowest participation rate in statewide testing programs. State tests show an achievement gap between foster youth and non-foster youth that includes higher drop-out, and lower graduation rates.
To support local communities, both the state and federal governments have taken steps to expand educational resources for foster youth through Title IV-E funding programs. Assembly Bill 854 requests County Offices of Education to enter into agreement with their County Child Welfare Departments for the purpose of expanding Title IV-E funds for eligible activities to support foster youth.
FHYES currently provides direct and indirect services that include academic counseling, advocacy, service coordination with the Department, assistance with facilitating immediate school placement for children entering foster care or changing caregiver placements, case management and emancipation assistance. Approval of the recommended action will allow FHYES to continue this work through the provision of defined Title IV-E eligible services.
If approved, the recommended Agreement will be effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023 and has the potential to be extended for two additional twelve-month periods upon satisfactory performance through June 30, 2025. The recommended Agreement may be terminated through written notice by FCSS or the Department’s Director or designee no later than (30) days prior to the close of agreement term.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander