REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 23, 2024
FROM
JEANY ZEPEDA, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Standard Contract Template for Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve a nonfinancial standard contract template for Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program services to be utilized by Children and Family Services when placing children with Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program service providers for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the Assistant Executive Officer of Human Services, the Deputy Executive Officer of Human Services, or the Director of Children and Family Services to execute the nonfinancial standard contract with the individual Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program service providers on behalf of the County.
(Presenter: Jeany Zepeda, Director, 387-2792)
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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 impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Placement costs will be covered using existing Aid to Families with Dependent Children Foster Care Maintenance payments. Foster Family Agency services rates are determined by the child’s service requirement level. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Foster Care 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended nonfinancial standard contract template will enable Children and Family Services (CFS) to contract with qualified Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) providers to place children and nonminor dependents (youth) that cannot be safely maintained in the home. STRTP residential facilities are operated by a public agency or private organization and provide an integrated program of specialized and intensive care and supervision, services and supports, treatment, and short-term 24-hour care and supervision to high-risk youth. These youth may have high behavioral needs such as verbal and physical aggression, history of running away, substance abuse, Commercially Sexually Exploited Children behaviors, violent behaviors toward other children and caregivers, special health care needs, autism, destructive to property, and harm to self.
Each year San Bernardino County investigates over 17,000 allegations of abuse and neglect to children. Due to changes in regulations under the Continuum of Care Reform, which eliminated Group Homes, CFS has a number of high-risk youth currently receiving 24-hour care and supervision in CFS regional offices by CFS staff while awaiting placement. STRTP providers afford CFS with short term (maximum six months) intensive therapeutic intervention to stabilize youth with the intention to transition the youth to a permanent placement. Approval of the item will enable CFS to support these high-risk youth who require a high level of services by setting performance expectations and establishing standardized practices and insurance requirements among all STRTP providers. Currently, CFS places youth at STRTP facilities utilizing a Placement Agreement; however, in the absence of a contract, the County is not protected if issues arise with STRTP facilities that result in litigation. The item will reduce potential conflicts and mitigate risks between the County and the STRTP providers.
Contractor performance will be measured by reviewing monthly reports and annual site visits by County staff to monitor compliance with the administrative, fiscal, and program elements for the contract.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Service Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on May 31, 2024; County Counsel (Kaleigh Ragon, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 18, 2024; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on June 18, 2024; Risk Management (Gregory Ustaszewski, Staff Analyst II, 386-9008) on June 18, 2024; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on July 3, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on July 8, 2024.