REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 5, 2021
FROM
MARLENE HAGEN, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Non-financial Agreement with Casey Family Programs to Collaborate on Child Welfare Outcomes
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve non-financial Agreement with Casey Family Programs to collaborate and develop best practices and policies to improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system, for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.
2. Authorize the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of Child and Family Services to execute non-substantive amendments on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of Children and Family Services to transmit all documents and amendments in relation to this agreement to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Marlene Hagen, 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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended agreement with Casey Family Programs is non-financial; therefore, it does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Casey Family Programs (Casey) is nationally recognized for innovations in child welfare service delivery and improving outcomes for children. Casey supports the efforts for child welfare systems and American Indian tribes to develop practices and policies best suited to address the unique needs of the children and families they serve. Casey engages states, counties, and tribes in child welfare initiatives to:
• Safely reduce the number of youth in foster care;
• Support more effective reinvestments in children and families;
• Demonstrate how every child can have a safe and permanent family; and
• Encourage a share vision to improve long-term safety and success of children and families.
Through the recommended Agreement, Casey will work with Children and Family Services (CFS) to better utilize data to improve outcomes for San Bernardino County children and families. Casey researchers will provide in-depth, peer-reviewed reports to assist child welfare agencies to meet CFS’ goals of reducing time in foster case. The researchers will also conduct evaluations of new and existing practices and policies to improve outcomes.
Casey also utilizes strategic advisers who have extensive training and experience. Many of these advisors are former child welfare leaders with track records for improving outcomes for children and families. These advisers are ideal partners for public child welfare agencies seeking help to strengthen practices and policies.
For over 50 years, Casey has partnered with families, communities, policymakers, and other public and private stakeholders to safely reduce the number of children in foster care. Casey helps systems and communities to deploy integrated, effective responses that improve the safety and success of children.
This item requests authorization for the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors (Board), the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of CFS to execute non-substantive amendments, due to the on-going need to adjust the type of services and priorities of CFS based on data collections. Services provided under the recommended Agreement may be terminated by the County without cause upon 30-days written notice.
This item is being presented to Board at this time, as CFS received the recommended Agreement from Casey on November 13, 2020, and this is the first date available for presentation following the required operation, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval by the Board on this date will have no impact on CFS’ services or activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not Applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Jennifer Mulhall-Daudel, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on December 3, 2020; County Counsel (Michael Markel, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 4, 2020; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on December 7, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on December 7, 2020.