REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 21, 2024
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. 2 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 California State Preschool Programs at the Crestline Preschool Services Department site, extending by one year, for a total term of January 12, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
(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 the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) through Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds, and grants from Medi-Cal and the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County (First 5 San Bernardino).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Preschool Services Department (PSD) operates the Head Start (HS), Early Head Start (EHS), Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership, California State General Childcare and Development, and California State Preschool (CSPP) 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. Head Start performance standards require that PSD 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 HS, EHS, and CSPP programs at PSD’s Crestline site. Hearts and Lives receives funds from 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.
The recommended amendment will extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for one year, allowing Hearts and Lives to continue providing EIIS to identify potential developmental delays, special needs, or behavioral concerns, and determine if children are at risk for developing disabilities. A Hearts and Lives behavioral specialist facilitates optimal development and provides support and guidance for parents and caregivers, to promote a continuum of care at home and in school. Services are provided at the PSD Crestline site.
On January 11, 2022 (Item No. 19), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved non-financial MOU No. 22-10 with Hearts and Lives to provide EIIS to children enrolled in the HS, EHS, and CSPP programs at the PSD Crestline site, for the period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
On June 27, 2023 (Item No. 74), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to MOU No. 22-10 with Hearts and Lives to provide EIIS to children enrolled in the HS, EHS, and CSPP programs at the PSD Crestline site, extending the contract period by one year for a total contract period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
Hearts and Lives’ performance will continue to be monitored on a monthly basis to ensure compliance with the administrative and program requirements of the MOU. Hearts and Lives will cooperate with the County for this monitoring 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 February 9, 2024; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 29, 2024; Purchasing (Christina Reddix, Buyer III, 387-2098) on March 1, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on May 1, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on May 6, 2024.