REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 28, 2022
FROM
JEANY ZEPEDA, Interim Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Contract with Family Builders for Navigating Home Pilot Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve non-financial contract with Family Builders for the Navigating Home Pilot Program to provide technical assistance and support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning youth in foster care, effective upon execution through September 30, 2022.
(Presenter: Jeany Zepeda, Interim 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
The item is non-financial in nature and, as such, does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is covering the entire cost of the pilot program. CDSS funding of the pilot program ends concurrently with the contract on September 30, 2022. Determination as to this program continuing will be based upon whether CDSS opts to provide ongoing funding.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Family Builders is a consultation based, technical assistance program that supports foster youth and families when resources are requested. Family Builders employees (Navigators) can also provide, upon request, technical assistance to child welfare workers, short-term residential treatment programs, and foster family agencies for the purpose of meeting the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) foster youth. Children and Family Services (CFS) staff estimates they will serve between 15 and 40 youth during the term of the recommended contract as these services are requested.
Family Builders is a part of the Navigating Home Program, a one-year pilot program funded by CDSS. The program provides technical assistance to counties in the form of regional LGBTQ+ Navigators to improve the care and outcomes for LGBTQ+ and gender expansive children in foster care.
This state-funded Navigating Home Program includes the placement of an LGBTQ+ Navigator in a CFS office. The individual will rotate offices throughout San Bernardino County on a weekly basis according to a set schedule, one day per week in the West End, one day in the North Desert Region, and three days at three different offices within the City of San Bernardino. Upon request the Navigator is available to provide on-site and online consultation and technical assistance to CFS Social Workers and Supervisors, short-term residential treatment programs, and foster family agencies regarding serving the unique needs of LGBTQ+ foster youth and their families. This contract delineates the responsibilities of CFS and Family Builders with respect to services rendered and general County policies, including but not limited to data sharing, security, and confidentiality of information.
PROCUREMENT
Procurement was not required for this non-financial contract as Family Builders was selected and funded by CDSS for the implementation of this pilot program.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on May 25, 2022; County Counsel (Kaleigh Ragon, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 26, 2022; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on April 29, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on May 26, 2022.