DATE: June 23, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Amendment to Agreement with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools for Foster Youth Network and Data Share Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment No. I to Agreement No. 17-244 with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, to extend the term of the existing Agreement for participation in the Foster Youth Network by one year from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 ($0).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow authorized individuals within the Departments of Social Services and Probation to continue to exchange information through the Foster Youth Network (FYN) pertaining to foster or probation youth with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) and local school districts for an additional year. County participation in the exchange of information with school districts is essential to improve educational and well-being outcomes for foster youth. There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Not approving the recommended action may delay and/or reduce access to information needed to improve educational outcomes for foster youth.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase to Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended amendment requires no monetary exchange between FCSS and the County. The Departments 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 2020-21 Recommended Budgets for the Departments of Social Services Org 5610 and Probation Org 3430.
DISCUSSION:
Since January 2012, the County has maintained a Board-approved agreement with FCSS that allows the Departments of Social Services and Probation to participate in a web-based information sharing database known as Foster Youth Network (FYN). The FYN supports improved collaboration and exchange of information processes 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, approved by the Board June 6, 2017, will expire June 30, 2020. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Departments to continue participation in the FYN for one additional fiscal year. By the end of that fiscal year, it is anticipated that FCSS will have developed a new data sharing agreement for joint, direct access to the Foster Focus database.
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 Departments of Social Services and Probation will ensure the sharing of specific information under the recommended agreement is allowable under applicable law.
The recommended amendment will be effective July 1, 2020 and will expire June 30, 2021 unless either party submits prior written notice of termination. The recommended amendment varies from standard County template as it is drafted by FCSS. County signature is required first and will subsequently be signed by FCSS. Upon execution, a copy of the amendment will be sent to the Clerk to the Board.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #62, June 6, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with FCSS
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander