REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 22, 2024
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Assistant Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Non-Financial Contracts with Agencies for Parenting Classes
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to non-financial contracts to continue providing parenting classes to parents and caregivers of children enrolled in the Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool programs, to extend the contract period by two years, for a total contract term of November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2026, with the following agencies:
1. Moses House Ministries, Contract No. 21-777.
2. Walden Family Services, Contract No. 21-779.
(Presenter: Arlene Molina, Assistant Director, 383-2078)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended contract amendments are non-financial in nature and as such, do not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Preschool Services Department (PSD) provides Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool programs, that include comprehensive child development and family services comprised of education, health, nutrition, parent involvement, and mental health services for children ages zero to five and their families. The overall goal of these programs is to increase the health and school readiness of disadvantaged children and increase the self-sufficiency of low-income families. Head Start and State Preschool programs have been operating in San Bernardino County since 1965. Since 1999, PSD has provided these programs through a combination of direct and contracted services.
Head Start Performance Standards require PSD to work with parents to establish goals based on identified strengths and weaknesses, and the needs of the family. The agencies listed in Recommendation 1 will continue to provide parenting classes to parents and caregivers to support their established goals and administer the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP). NPP is a family-centered trauma-informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills that targets families who are at risk of abuse and neglect, and features activities to foster positive parenting skills.
On October 26, 2021 (Item No. 43), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the non-financial contracts with Moses House Ministries and Walden Family Services to provide and administer parenting classes to parents and caregivers of children enrolled in the Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool programs, for the period of November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2024.
Approval of the Amendment will allow the agencies to continue to provide and administer parenting classes in the designated region(s) to ensure the availability of countywide services as follows:
• Moses House Ministries - High Desert and Mountain regions (Victorville area and Wrightwood)
• Walden Family Services - Countywide to Teen Parents
Agency performance will be measured by reviewing the required monthly reports and annual site visits by PSD staff to monitor compliance with the administrative and program requirements of the contract. The contracts may be terminated without cause by the County with a 30-day written notice.
PROCUREMENT
N/A.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on September 11, 2024; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 13, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on October 2, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on October 3, 2024.