DATE: April 27, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement for Community Based Intensive Home Visitation Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Exceptional Parents Unlimited for Community-Based Intensive Home Visitation Services, effective July 1, 2021, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $1,545,681.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services to continue to provide intensive home visitation services to families involved in the Department’s Child Welfare Services’ (CWS) system. These services are intended to decrease the likelihood of child abuse/neglect through the preservation and strengthening of family functioning, improved safety and home stability. The agreement will be funded with CWS 2011 Realignment funds with no Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board choose to not approve this recommended agreement, parents involved with the Volunteer Family Maintenance (VFM) Program at risk for child abuse or neglect would not receive these parenting skills training services and children may be at increased risk of abuse and/or neglect.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation for the recommended agreement ($1,545,681) will be funded with CWS 2011 Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The Community-Based Intensive Home Visitation (CBIHV) services program is designed to foster parental competence and successful childhood development by building relationships between parents and children in their home setting. The program targets who are at a higher risk of child abuse or neglect and who are involved in the CWS VFM Program. Participation in an evidence-based program designed to promote the ability to provide positive, nurturing parenting constitutes a primary component of a family’s VFM case plan.
On June 21, 2016, the Board authorized Agreement Nos. 16-404 and 16-405 with Central Valley Children’s Services Network and Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. (EPU), respectively, to provide in-home parenting services to all VFM families referred by the Department. These agreements with the Department for CBIHV services will terminate June 30, 2021.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) #21-012 was issued on October 22, 2020 for CBIHV services. The RFP notice was sent to all potential bidders registered with Public Purchase. Approximately 1,750 potential bidders were notified through Public Purchase and five responses to the RFP were received. All responses were evaluated by a five-member review committee which was comprised of staff from the Department of Social Services, the Department of Public Health, the County Library, and a community-based organization.
The proposal from EPU was rated the highest based on their overall responsiveness to the RFP, their experience and demonstrated ability to provide the requested services, their ability to serve the target populations in metro Fresno and rural areas, and budgetary considerations. The review committee recommended funding EPU for the provision of the requested services.
The recommended agreement will allow the Department to refer 125 unduplicated families to EPU each fiscal year. Families will receive program services by trained EPU personnel during weekly in-home visits over a period of six months.
If approved, the recommended agreement will be effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024 and includes the option to renew for two additional 12-month terms, based upon satisfactory performance with 30 day written notice by the Director, or designee, and EPU. This agreement can be terminated at any time without cause with 30) day written notice from the County, Director, or designee, or EPU.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #66, June 21, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with EPU
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa