REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 14, 2023
FROM
JEANY ZEPEDA, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Court Appointed Special Advocate of San Bernardino County to Provide Court Appointed Child Advocacy Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 20-882 with Court Appointed Special Advocate of San Bernardino County to provide Court Appointed Child Advocacy Services, increasing the total contract amount by $315,000 from $945,000 to $1,260,000, and extending the contract for one year, for a total contract period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2024, with no other changes to the contract terms and conditions.
(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.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The recommended contract, as amended, will not exceed $1,260,000, or $315,000 per program year, and is funded through approximately 75% ($945,000) Wraparound Reinvestment Funds and approximately 25% ($315,000) Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) funds. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Wraparound Reinvestment 2022-23 budget and the HS Administrative 2022-23 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On July 1, 1998, California passed legislation establishing the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) grant and requiring the Judicial Council to adopt guidelines establishing CASA of California and its affiliates as the sole agency responsible for these services. CASA of California and affiliates are comprised of 45 CASA agencies located throughout 51 California counties. CASA of San Bernardino County is a non-profit organization and a member organization of CASA of California and the National CASA for Children. CASA of San Bernardino County’s mission is to improve the quality of life for foster youth and juvenile court dependents by providing stable and consistent advocacy and mentoring through trained community volunteers. CFS and CASA of San Bernardino County have collaborated in advocating for the protection of the County’s dependent youth for more than 35 years.
CASA of San Bernardino County is designated by the presiding Juvenile Court Judge to provide CASA services to children in juvenile court. CASA of San Bernardino County recruits, trains, and supervises community volunteers who are appointed by the Juvenile Dependency Count to build meaningful relationships and advocate for the best interests of children in juvenile court, including victims of commercial sexual exploitation. This contract and amendment support Children and Family Services (CFS) and CASA of San Bernardino County’s ability to locate, engage, and connect foster youth with immediate biological family, next of kin, and other adults who may serve as permanent lifelong connections. CFS anticipates an estimated 215 San Bernardino County youth will be served annually.
On September 15, 2020 (Item No. 21), the Board of Supervisors approved the most recent contract (Contract No. 20-882) with CASA of San Bernardino County to provide Court Appointed Child Advocacy Services, in the amount of $945,000, for the contract period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2023. The recommended amendment with CASA of San Bernardino County will extend services to September 30, 2024, increasing the contract amount by $315,000. CFS and CASA of San Bernardino County have collaborated in advocating for the protection of the County’s dependent youth since its establishment in 1984. CFS has formally contracted with CASA of San Bernardino County for approximately 20 years.
CASA of San Bernardino County’s performance will be monitored by reviews of monthly invoices and an annual site visit by County staff to review for compliance with the administrative, fiscal, and program terms and conditions of the Contract.
PROCUREMENT
CASA of California and its affiliates, as required by the Judicial Council, are the sole agencies responsible for the delivery of these services.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on January 30, 2023; County Counsel (Kaleigh Ragon, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 1, 2023; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on February 27, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on February 27, 2023.