DATE: May 3, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja K. Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreements for CalWORKs Home Visitation Program Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances as the community-based organizations administering the Department of Social Services Neighborhood Resource Centers can provide CalWORKs Home Visiting Program services at the established centers as part of child abuse prevention efforts; and,
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Agreements with the following agencies for Home Visiting Program services, effective July 1, 2022, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, combined total not to exceed $17,719,835.
a. Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. $4,961,555
b. Comprehensive Youth Services of Fresno, Inc. $5,315,950
c. Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. $5,670,345
d. Westside Family Preservation Services Network $1,771,985
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services to continue California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Home Visiting Program (HVP). These services provide parents, with children under five, home visits that incorporate an evidence-based parenting curriculum and assist with access to health and social services. The goal is to increase family and economic stability and improve outcomes for children. Providing these services through existing Neighborhood Resource Centers (NRCs) administered by Central La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. (CLFAS), Comprehensive Youth Services of Fresno, Inc. (CYS), Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. (EPU), and Westside Family Preservation Services Network (WFPSN) will further support services to families and support the NRC infrastructure. The recommended agreements will be financed with HVP funds, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department will be unable use HVP funding to provide services to stabilize and assist CalWORKs families at existing NRCs.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE:
The Department’s requests to waive the competitive bidding process are consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 as the four community-based organizations administering the network of NRCs can continue provide HVP services. The organizations administer a total of 13 NRCs positioned at key locations throughout the County and provide a multitude of services, including child abuse prevention services. Incorporating the HVP into the NRCs is beneficial to the County as it strengthens the NRCs and enhances service delivery. Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division concurs with the Department’s request to waive the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum compensation amount of the recommended agreements combined total of $17,719,835 [CLFAS ($4,961,555), CYS ($5,315,950), EPU ($5,670,345), and WFPSN ($1,771,985)] will be offset using CalWORKs HPV funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget and included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
Assembly Bill 1811 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2018) established the CalWORKs Home Visiting Initiative, later changed to HVP, as a voluntary program for eligible pregnant and parenting women, families, and infants born into poverty to support positive health, development, and well-being. Long-term program goals include improved educational, economic, and financial capability opportunities, and likelihood that these families will exit poverty.
On February 12, 2019, your Board approved agreements with CLFAS, CYS, EPU, and WFPSN to provide HVP services through their combined 11 NRCs. The integration of HVP is deemed beneficial and consistent with efforts to further support services to families and support the NRC infrastructure. On March 22, 2022, your Board approved agreements with CLFAS and EPU to establish two additional NRCs.
The recommended agreements will provide HPV services in all 13 NRCs and are necessary as the original agreements will expire June 30, 2022. The NRCs are located in Fresno/Clovis zip codes areas of 93703, 93727, 93706, 93705, 93612, 93722 and 93726, and in the rural areas of Coalinga, Huron, Kerman, Selma, Sanger, and Reedley. Funding for each community-based organization is based on the number of eligible CalWORKs families residing in each service area zip code.
The HVP program is a voluntary service that will provide families up to 24 months of services during which parents are paired with a Parent as Teachers-trained Home Visitor who makes regular visits to the participant’s home to provide guidance, coaching, and access to health and social services. Home Visitors will use the Parents as Teachers evidence-based curriculum designed to build strong communities, thriving families and children that are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Program outcomes include child health, educational, and developmental benchmarks, household food, housing and financial stability, and parental knowledge of child development and improvement of appropriate parental practices.
Since program inception in 2019, the Department has made 921 referrals for HVP services with 386 clients accepting services and 38 completing the program. Referrals were based on program eligibility requirements that a parent is pregnant or has children under two years of age. Eligibility requirements have been expanded to include families with children up to five years of age. Based on the expanded criteria, it is expected that 526 referrals will be made in FY 2022-23.
Upon approval, the recommended agreements will be effective July 1, 2022 with the option to extend for two additional 12-month terms based on satisfactory performance with written notice by the Department Director, or designee, and Contractor. Should the State reduce the annual allocation for HVP, the agreement allows for the Department Director to approve such reductions. Termination without cause requires a 30-day written notice from County, Department Director, or designee, or Contractor.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #50, April 5, 2022
BAI #62, March 22, 2022
BAI #55, June 23, 2020
BAI #44, November 5, 2019
BAI #40, February 12, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreements with CLFAS, CYS, EPU, and WFPSN
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa