REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 22, 2023
FROM
Jeany Zepeda, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Travel for San Bernardino County Resource Parents to attend the California State Foster Parent Association 46th Annual Training Conference in Sacramento
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve expenses in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for 20 San Bernardino County Resource Parents to attend the California State Foster Parent Association 46th Annual Training Conference in Sacramento, California from October 5, 2023 through October 7, 2023.
(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 does not impact discretionary general funding (net county cost). The total estimated cost for the 20 individuals attending the state foster parent association conference will not exceed $30,000 and is 30% ($9,000) federally funded and 70% ($21,000) funded with 2011 Realignment funds. Adequate appropriation is included in the Human Services Administrative 2023-24 adopted budget.
|
Expense |
Attendees |
Average Cost per Attendee |
Total |
|
Airfare |
20 |
$220 |
4,400 |
|
Conference/Seminar/Workshop/Training |
20 |
$500 |
10,000 |
|
Hotel |
20 |
$480 |
9,600 |
|
Rental Car/Taxi/Shuttle |
20 |
$90 |
$1,800 |
|
Total Cost |
$1,290 |
$25,800 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Children and Family Services (CFS) is dedicated to the safety, protection, and permanency of children in the county and the promotion of child and family well-being. The most effective means of preserving every child's right to be raised in a safe, permanent family is through society's ability to assist and strengthen families. CFS values and depends on the collaboration with community agencies and private citizens to protect our county's children. Working within its mission, CFS respects the dignity, integrity, and uniqueness of each family and adheres to the philosophy that intervention and removal is warranted only when children are found to be at substantial risk in their home. Foster care provides a safe home and nurturing environment to children who have been removed from their home because of abuse or neglect. Resource Parents are licensed by CFS Resource Family Approval and must meet licensing standards set forth by California Department of Social Services Written Directives.
The State encourages networking and support for Resource Parents. Resource Parents from all over California (Representatives) of the Foster Parent Association participate in local, state, and national training conferences throughout the year and are trained to provide an optimum growth experience to County Resource Parents through the conference. These conferences also brings together Resource Parents who have received ongoing training to care for foster youth can share their experiences, as well as provide the opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts in a multitude of disciplines. The conference organizers recruit experts relating to child welfare and the issues surrounding caring for children in foster care. Scheduled speakers for the California State Foster Parent Association (CSFPA) include representatives from the California Department of Social Services. The conference also includes a regional meeting providing foster parents a forum to share relevant issues and experiences with foster parents from other counties.
The CSFPA 46th Annual Training Conference will be held in Sacramento, from October 5, 2023 through October 7, 2023. CFS selected Resource Parents from all parts of the county to attend the training conference and participate in several workshops designed to enhance knowledge and skill sets of parents caring for foster children. These Resource Parents are in good standing, currently have placements of County children, expressed an interest in attending, and CFS feels they will benefit from the topics at the conference.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on July 31, 2023; County Counsel (Kaleigh Ragon, Deputy County Counsel) on July 20, 2023; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on August 7, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on August 7, 2023.