REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 28, 2025
FROM
JEANY ZEPEDA, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Contract Template for Out-of-State Adoption Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve non-financial contract template for Out-of-State Adoption Services to be utilized when placing children out-of-state with a foster care family services agency, effective upon execution through January 31, 2030.
2. Authorize the Director or the Assistant Director of Children and Family Services to execute the contract template with individual out-of-state foster care family services agencies, on behalf of the County, subject to County Counsel review.
(Presenter: Jeany Zepeda, Director, 387-2792)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The contract template for Out-of-State Adoption Services for use with out-of-state foster care family services agencies is non-financial, and as such, does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended non-financial contract template will enable Children and Family Services (CFS) to secure adoption services for CFS dependent children placed with out-of-state foster care agencies.
Adoption is a legal process which permanently grants parental rights to adoptive parents. Adoption services are one of many services provided by CFS to ensure children are placed with safe, permanent, and nurturing families. While every effort is made to place children locally, often children with special needs, those with relatives living out of state, or older children need out-of-state adoption services. When this occurs, children are initially placed in the out-of-state home as a foster child. When it is determined that the families’ intent is to adopt, San Bernardino County (County) utilizes a local foster care adoption agency to facilitate the process. Currently, there are an estimated 152 foster children in placement out-of-state.
CFS is requesting authorization for the CFS Director or Assistant CFS Director to execute the contract template with qualified out-of-state agencies, on behalf of the County, to expedite placements and decrease the chances of losing a potential placement. In addition, this request assists in expediting the adoption process, which leads to a successful placement, adoption, and permanency for the child and family.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on December 17, 2024; County Counsel (Daniella V. Hernandez, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 8, 2025; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0251) on January 9, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on January 10, 2025.