To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement with Humboldt County Office of Education to Provide Funding for a Court/Community Schools Program Director for Fiscal Year 2019-20
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the agreement with Humboldt County Office of Education for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 in an amount not to exceed $92,467.99; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return the fully executed agreement to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Contracts Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund
DISCUSSION:
Children in Humboldt County are served in great numbers by both the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) and DHHS. In an effort to better serve the children and families of Humboldt County, DHHS and HCOE have increased collaboration and are working to collectively address the increased demand for these services. HCOE and DHHS have a shared focus on prevention and early intervention as key to student and family success.
HCOE maintains the position of Program Director for the Court/Community Schools Program. The Program Director provides an array of direct services to youth and families in Court/Community Schools and those referred to School Attendance Review Boards (SARB) due to academic, behavioral or attendance concerns. The Program Director is also the liaison to School Attendance Court, a court-supervised, 9 month diversion program designed to assist and support families in the improvement of school attendance. Children and families referred to SARB or participating in the diversion program are often prospective or current DHHS clients, in receipt of Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKs, or other services that may be considered “targeted intervention” services. In some cases, the families may be involved with, or at risk of involvement with, DHHS-Children’s Mental Health or Child Welfare Services. Approximately 85% of families who attend SARB improve attendance following intervention. Approximately 80% of families successfully graduated from the diversion program in prior years, had criminal charges dropped, and sustained improved attendance through the remaining portion of the school year.
The HCOE Program Director helps students and families receive direct services and refers them to other necessary supports and services before circumstances in the family require crisis services. In order to serve current DHHS clients, and prevent the need for crisis services, DHHS seeks to fund 50% of the salary and benefits of the Program Director position. The Program Director is a full-time HCOE employee with no reporting or other responsibilities to DHHS, and the Program Director would not share child or family information with DHHS outside of current rules, regulations and laws.
This agreement will continue cost-sharing of the Program Director position that began through an agreement that went before your Board on June 19, 2018, with the term July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 (Item C-14). Through this collaborative funding effort, DHHS and HCOE serve the needs of Humboldt County students and families, and prevent the need for crisis services through prevention and intervention services. Therefore, DHHS recommends that the Board approves and authorizes the Chair to execute this agreement for FY 2019-20.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with the HCOE agreement for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 have been included in the proposed FY 2019-20 budget in fund 1160, budget unit 508 in the amount of $92,467.99. There will be no impact to the county’s General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt County Office of Education
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve and authorize the agreement with Humboldt County Office of Education. This alternative is not recommended as prevention activities are effective in preventing the need for crisis services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement By and Between County of Humboldt and Humboldt County Office of Education for FY 2019-2020
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-14
Meeting of: 06/19/2018
File No.: 18-594; 19-746