REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 25, 2025
FROM
JAMES LOCURTO, Director, Transitional Assistance Department
SUBJECT
Title
Contracts for Cal-Learn Case Management Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve contracts with the following agencies to provide Cal-Learn Case Management Services to pregnant and parenting teens, to assist them in obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,350,000, for the period of April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028:
1. Aspiranet, in the amount of $675,000.
2. El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, in the amount of $675,000.
(Presenter: James LoCurto, Director, 388-0245)
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). Costs are on a fee-for-service basis and will not exceed $1,350,000 for the total contract period and are funded through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids single allocation, which is federally funded. If funding is declined or reduced, the County has the ability to reduce or terminate the contract. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Human Services Administrative Claim 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Under the terms of the recommended contracts, the Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) will comply with the Cal-Learn Program (Cal-Learn), which is a State mandated program that requires counties to arrange for the provision of case management services and counseling to pregnant and custodial teenage parents under 19 years of age to assist them in obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent.
The Cal-Learn rules require that there is no cap on the number of Cal-Learn customers to be served. The current vendor serves an average of 52 customers per month. Case management services assure that customers receive needed services within a complex multi- and trans-disciplinary network in an efficient, supportive, and cost-effective manner. Case management is customer centered, culturally appropriate, and goal oriented. It is interactive, involving the customer and the customer’s family, significant others, and support persons as equal partners with the case manager in identifying needs and defining ways to meet those needs.
Case management services include educational support to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent, assessing the customer’s parenting skills, living situation, and acting as a trusted advisor and role model to provide guidance and facilitate effective relationships between the parenting teen and non-custodial parent when it is in the best interest of the child. Monthly contacts that include home visits are conducted to help support the customer’s education and career goals and strengthen self-sufficiency. School report card progress is monitored, pursuant to Cal-Learn regulations, and referrals to appropriate community services are provided, including medical care, family planning, health education, domestic/relationship violence support, legal assistance, nutrition counseling, and substance/mental health intervention. Additionally, TAD will provide necessary supportive services such as childcare, transportation and general education expenses to support the customer’s return to school and assist in maximizing the ability of each customer to graduate from high school or its equivalent.
Contractor performance will be monitored by review of invoices and annual site visits to ensure compliance with the administrative, program, and fiscal terms and conditions of the contract. The County may, but is not obligated to, extend the term for an additional two years by mutual agreement of the parties, contingent on the availability of funds and contractor performance, with approval of the Board of Supervisors.
PROCUREMENT
On April 26, 2024, the County Administrative Office approved and authorized the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) HS 24-02/ePro Bid #HSSA24-HSSA-5512 to solicit proposals from interested and qualified agencies to provide Cal-Learn Case Management Services. The RFP was posted on the County’s Electronic Procurement Network, (ePro) and mailed to prospective vendors. A formal procurement was conducted, and four responsive proposals were received as follows:
|
Agency |
Proposed Cost Per Customer |
|
Aspiranet |
$250 |
|
Bittersweet Encounters |
$500 |
|
El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center |
$250 |
|
Simple Solutions Psychotherapy |
$250 |
The proposals were evaluated by a panel of County subject matter experts. Based on the evaluation, Aspiranet and El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center were selected for awards based on experience, qualifications, administrative capacity, and cost. The non-selected bidders were notified by letter on November 4, 2024. No formal protests were received within the allowable period.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on February 10, 2025; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 9, 2025; Finance (John Hallen, Principal Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on March 7, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on March 7, 2025.