REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 22, 2023
FROM
WENDY ALVAREZ, Interim Children’s Network Officer, Children’s Network
SUBJECT
Title
Revenue Contract with the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County for Community Engagement and Early Child Mental Health Systems Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Revenue Contract (Commission Contract No. S1042) with the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County to provide Community Engagement and Early Child Mental Health Systems Services, in the amount of $754,652, for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
(Presenter: Wendy Alvarez, Interim Children’s Network Officer, 383-9758)
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
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The recommended revenue contract for Community Engagement and Early Childhood Mental Health System (ECMHS) services in the amount of $754,652 is funded by the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County (Commission). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Human Services Administrative Claim 2023-24 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Children’s Network receives funding from the Commission to provide Community Engagement services, activities, and programs. Community Engagement is designed to help meet the special needs of at-risk infants and children through community partnerships, training, and events.
Since 2004, the Commission has invested in a collaborative partnership with Children’s Network to provide leadership using an ECMHS Coordinator to establish referral pathways and leverage additional funding that would improve the system of service for the prevention of child abuse.
The recommended revenue contract with the Commission will allow Children’s Network to continue to fund Community Engagement and ECMHS services, activities, and programs through June 30, 2024. The Community Engagement and ECMHS programs provide information, support, and services to agencies, and the community, which includes the following activities:
• Organize, promote, and host the Annual Shine a Light on Child Abuse Awards Breakfast for professionals, community organizations, and other members of the community, serving children 0-5 years of age.
• Plan and arrange appropriate multi-disciplinary workshops and invite professionals to the Annual Children’s Network Conference for the improvement of information and awareness.
• Organize and implement a comprehensive and strategic media campaign to educate and bring awareness to the general public about child abuse, neglect, and child safety related issues.
• Increase awareness of community resources to assist the needs of children ages 0-5 and their families.
• Facilitate Father Engagement collaborative network that builds the capacity of family serving agencies and coordinates support services that are accessible and father friendly.
• ECMHS Coordinator will identify training topics, plan trainings for the community service providers, partners, and stakeholders relevant to the 0-5 high-risk population, provide resources specific to that population and report/discuss on outcome findings, challenges, and successes.
On July 17, 2023, Children’s Network received notification from the Commission that they consulted with County Counsel before the new contract was approved, and it was determined that a new original contract would be needed due to revised contract terms. New Commission Contract No. S1042 has been approved by the Commission. Board of Supervisors approval at this time will not impact services or activities, as Children’s Network, has continued providing services since July 1, 2023.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on August 1, 2023; County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 7, 2023; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on August 7, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on August 7, 2023.