DATE: April 27, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Fresno Unified School District to Exchange Foster Care Placement and Educational Data
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Fresno Unified School District to exchange foster care placement and educational data, effective July 1, 2021, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions ($0).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services and Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) to continue data exchange to support stable placements, enhance academic success, and reduce the occurrence of homelessness for children and youth living in foster care. The recommended agreement holds both parties responsible to adhere to confidentiality statutes and ensure that the confidentiality of the children and youth in foster care and their information is maintained, with no increase in Net County Cost. The item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the recommended action is not approved, information valuable to both the Department and FUSD will be limited and positive outcomes for foster children and youth may be diminished.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The agreement requires no monetary exchange between FUSD and the Department. The information required by FUSD is tracked within the County’s automated Child Welfare Service Case Management System and can be made available to FUSD at no additional cost to the County.
DISCUSSION:
Since 2004, the Department has maintained agreements with FUSD to allow data exchange to enhance the success of children and youth placed in foster care. The exchange of data between the Department and FUSD ensures that appropriate services are provided to these children to increase academic success, promote placement stability, reduce homelessness and increase overall well-being. Data exchange between the County and school districts is permitted based on Welfare and Institution Code, section 827.1(a). The current agreement (Agt. No. 16-402) with FUSD for exchange of foster care placement and education data expires June 30, 2021.
Historically, children and youth in foster care have had to change schools and school districts when modifications to foster care placements occur. Changes in foster care placements often disrupt the social functioning of children, particularly when it involves a change in school. As a result, children lose relationships with their instructors, friends, and other community members and must then work on building new relationships and systems of support. The recommended agreement will continue to meet the needs of children in foster care. FUSD will receive a list of children in foster care within FUSD boundaries and FUSD will provide the Department with access to student records for these children. This mutual exchange of data is essential to reduce the impacts of placement changes and to improve educational outcomes.
If approved, the recommended agreement will be effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions. A provision for termination with 30 days advance written notice is included in this agreement. This agreement also contains privacy and data security language to protect the information that is exchanged.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #64, June 21, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with the Clerk - Agreement with FUSD
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa