REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 8, 2025
FROM
JEANY GLASGOW, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Non-Financial Agreement with Casey Family Programs to Collaborate on Child Welfare Outcomes
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Amendment No. 2 to non-financial Agreement No. 22-1237 with Casey Family Programs, to collaborate and develop best practices to improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system, updating to include the 2025 Strategy and Identified Outcomes Plan, and extending the contract period by one year, for a total contract period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of Children and Family Services to execute Amendment No. 2, and any other non-substantive amendments, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of Children and Family Services to transmit all amendments, in relation to this contract, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Jeany Glasgow, Director, 658-1181)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended Amendment will not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 22-1237 (Agreement) with Casey Family Programs (Casey) is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Casey is nationally recognized for innovations in child welfare service delivery and improving outcomes for children. Casey supports the efforts for child welfare systems and American Indian tribes to develop practices and policies best suited to address the unique needs of the children and families they serve. Casey engages states, counties, and tribes in child welfare initiatives to:
• Safely reduce the number of youths in foster care.
• Support more effective reinvestments in children and families;
• Demonstrate how every child can have a safe and permanent family; and
• Encourage a shared vision to improve long-term safety and success of children and families.
The recommended amendment will update the Agreement to incorporate the 2025 Strategy and Identified Outcomes Plan and extend the Agreement term by one year, for a total Agreement period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. This Agreement will allow the continued work between Casey and Children and Family Services (CFS) to better utilize data to improve outcomes for San Bernardino County (County) children and families. Casey will provide knowledge to understand opportunities for Family First Prevention Services and how to utilize the services; identify outcomes to shorten the timelines to reunification and prevent further engagement with formal services; and support practices to target stabilization of the child welfare workforce.
Casey researchers will provide in-depth, peer reviewed reports to assist child welfare agencies to meet CFS’ goal of reducing time in foster care. The researchers will also conduct evaluations of new and existing practices and policies to improve outcomes. Casey outcomes include decreasing the number of children in foster care, decreasing the number of youths in congregate care, and increasing the percentage of youth exiting into permanency. Casey will provide reports to CFS and will not disclose information outside of Casey without written approval from CFS.
Casey also utilizes strategic advisers who have extensive training and experience. The strategic advisers are experts in their field who serve as consultants and technical assistants to CFS in accomplishing the goals established in the Agreement. The advisers work primarily with executive and management level staff in virtual meetings and assist in the development and drafting of strategic plan, project plan and other documents. Many of these advisers are former child welfare leaders with track records for improving outcomes for children and families. These advisers are ideal partners for public child welfare agencies seeking help to strengthen practices and policies.
For over 50 years, Casey has partnered with families, communities, policymakers, and other public and private stakeholders to safely reduce the number of children in foster care. Casey helps child welfare agencies and communities to deploy integrated and effective responses that improve the safety and success of children.
On December 13, 2022 (Item No. 30), the Board of Supervisors approved Agreement No. 22-1237 with Casey, to collaborate and develop best practices and policies to improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system, for the period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025.
On January 1, 2024, the parties amended the Agreement to incorporate the 2024 Strategy and Identified Outcomes Plan.
The authorization for the Chair, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of CFS to execute Amendment No. 2 and any non-substantive amendments, is requested due to the ongoing need to adjust the type of services and priorities of CFS, based on data collections. Services provided under this Agreement may be terminated by the County without cause upon 30 days written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on February 27, 2025; County Counsel (Daniella Hernandez, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 7, 2025; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on March 24, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on March 24, 2025.