REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 11, 2025
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Contract with Grand Canyon University for Field Experience and Student Training in Counseling and Social Work
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve non-financial contract with Grand Canyon University, including a non-standard term, for field experience and student training in counseling and social work for the period of March 11, 2025 through March 10, 2026.
(Presenter: Sharon Nevins, Director 891-3917)
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 contract is non-financial in nature, and as such, does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Under the terms of the recommended contract, the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) will provide appropriate facilities and qualified DAAS professional staff to support field experience and training for students enrolled in the Counseling and Social Work Program at Grand Canyon University (GCU). GCU requires students enrolled in the program to complete training experience.
Integration of classroom learning with agency based practice allows students to observe and participate in DAAS programs and activities to gain understanding about the benefits and challenges of the organization and its diverse client populations. DAAS will use this program as an opportunity to lead students to a personal understanding of the responsibilities and rewards of professional social work.
The contract with GCU differs from the standard San Bernardino County (County) contract and omits the following County contract term:
1. The contract does not require GCU to meet the County’s insurance standards as required pursuant to County Policies, 11-05, 11-07 and 11-07SP, specifically, GCU is not required to maintain Workers’ Compensation, Cyber Liability, or Abuse/Molestation insurance policies.
• County policy requires contractors to carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and as set forth in County policy and in the County standard contract.
• Potential Impact: The County has no assurance that Contractor will be financially responsible for claims that may arise under the contract, which could result in expenses to the County.
The contract is for student internships, not goods or services, so approval of this item is not within the authority of the Purchasing Department. DAAS recommends approval of this contract, including the non-standard term, as the cooperative agreement between DAAS and GCU is mutually beneficial. This contract will provide students with the required training experience and valuable exposure to the unique aspects of working with adult and aging populations, while providing assistance to DAAS professionals in caring for these clients. Additionally, training professionals in the County provides for future employment in this important and growing field.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on February 10, 2025; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 5, 2025; Risk Management (Greg Ustaszewski, Staff Analyst II, 386-9008) on January 3, 2025; Finance (John Hallen, Principal Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on February 19, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on February 20, 2025.