REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 27, 2023
FROM
JACQUELYN GREENE, Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding with Hearts and Lives for Early Identification and Intervention Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to non-financial Memorandum of Understanding No. 22-10 with Hearts and Lives, to continue providing Early Identification and Intervention Services to children enrolled in the Early Head Start, Head Start, and State Preschool Programs at the Crestline site, extending the contract period by one year, for a total contract period of January 12, 2022 through June 30, 2024.
(Presenter: Jacquelyn Greene, Director, 383-2005)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended amendment is non-financial in nature and as such, does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Early Identification and Intervention Services (EIIS) are funded through a separate contract between Hearts and Lives and San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) through grants from Medi-Cal, Mental Health Services Act, and the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County (First 5 San Bernardino).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Preschool Services Department (PSD) operates the Early Head Start, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership, Head Start, State General Child Care and Development, and State Preschool programs. These programs provide education, health, nutrition, cognitive, social/emotional, physical growth and development, and parent involvement services for children ages 0 to 5 with the goal of increasing family engagement and the school readiness of young children in economically disadvantaged families. Preschool Services Performance Standards require PSD to provide intervention programs to identify concerns regarding a child’s developmental, sensory, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills.
Since 2016, PSD and Hearts and Lives have partnered to provide EIIS to children enrolled in the Early Head Start, Head Start and State Preschool Program at PSD’s Crestline site. Hearts and Lives receives the grant funds through DBH to provide EIIS through a collaboration with PSD and other local agencies. Head Start Performance Standards require collaboration in the form of a formal non-financial agreement with local agencies to provide services to children and families.
PSD currently has agreements with other agencies that provide the same type of services in other areas which serve other PSD locations throughout the county. The agencies include Inland Regional Center providing services to children ages 0 to 3 throughout the county; Loma Linda University Medical Center providing services to contracted agencies in Fontana, Colton, Needles; Easter Seals Southern California, Inc., which has sites countywide; and Dr. Bergin providing services to all PSD sites countywide.
The recommended amendment will allow Hearts and Lives to continue providing EIIS to PSD children to identify potential developmental delays or behavioral concerns, as early as possible, and determine if children are at risk for disabilities or special needs. A Hearts and Lives behavioral specialist will help facilitate optimal development, along with support and guidance for parents and caregivers, to promote a continuum of care at home and in school. PSD will provide the facility where services will be rendered to children.
On January 11, 2022 (Item No. 19), the Board of Supervisors approved non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) No. 22-10 with Hearts and Lives to provide EIIS to children enrolled in the Early Head Start, Head Start, and State Preschool Program at the PSD Crestline site, for the period of January 11, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Hearts and Lives performance will continue to be monitored by a review of monthly reports to ensure compliance with the administrative and program requirements of the MOU. Hearts and Lives will cooperate with the County in the monitoring and evaluation of this MOU and comply with all established reporting requirements. The MOU may be terminated without cause by the County with 30 days’ written notice.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on May 24, 2023; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 24, 2023; Finance (Yvette Calimlim, Administrative Analyst, 388-0253) on June 1, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on June 6, 2023.