REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 8, 2021
FROM
MARLENE HAGEN, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Contract with California Department of Social Services for Adoption Assistance Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Rescind approval of Contract No. 21-82 with California Department of Social Services to provide adoption assistance services, in an amount not to exceed $487,500, for the contract period of January 27, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
2. Approve Contract, effective upon execution of both parties through June 30, 2022, with California Department of Social Services to provide adoption assistance services, in an amount not to exceed $373,500.
(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
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The total not to exceed amount of $373,500 for adoption assistance services is 100% funded by Adoptions and Child Welfare Services, from the Adoptions Administrative Allocation, which is 46% ($171,810) federal and 54% ($201,690) Realignment 2011. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Human Services Administrative Claim 2020-21 budget and will be included in the 2021-22 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On January 26, 2021 (Item No. 28), Contract No. 21-82 with California Department of Social Services (CDSS) was approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board). The following week CDSS sent a revised contract and did not accept the terms in the newly approved Contract No. 21-82. The newly proposed CDSS contract was reviewed by the County and returned to CDSS for their review. CDSS returned the contract to the County on May 20, 2021, and has requested that it be returned immediately following approval by the Board. Children and Family Services (CFS) is presenting this item to the Board at the next Board meeting at the lower contract amount of $373,500 due to the shortened length of the contract (from 17 months, to 13 months).
The recommended contract with CDSS will provide CFS with adoption assistance to supplement the services already being provided by the County. CFS is currently performing these functions for all of its adoption cases. The costs are being paid via time study to the allocation. CFS is in need of assistance to process adoption cases due to a backlog caused by staffing and other issues related to COVID-19. CDSS assistance will allow CFS to complete more adoption studies and to finalize adoptions more quickly, providing permanency for more children and decreasing the backlog created by the COVID pandemic. This has the effect of increasing support for the program. While the cost for CDSS assistance is lower than the cost to complete these tasks in house, they will act as an additional resource, as they do not have the capacity to provide assistance for all of the County’s adoption cases. Utilizing the adoption assistance services offered by CDSS is a cost effective way to help meet an overwhelming need to provide permanency for children and families within San Bernardino County.
CDSS will be responsible for the finalization of adoptions and will provide case management until finalization of the case is complete. Adoption assistance includes services such as assessment and analysis of adoptability of children in need of permanence through adoption; preliminary assessment of prospective adoptive parents; and matching and placement of children for adoption with a licensed or approved caregiver.
PROCUREMENT
CDSS has offered their assistance to counties statewide to assist with the adoptions backlog due to staffing and COVID-related issues. No procurement is necessary as the contract is with the State agency that oversees all Child Welfare Agencies.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Jennifer Mulhall-Daudel, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on May 21, 2021; County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 21, 2021; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on May 21, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on May 21, 2021.