To: Board of Supervisors
From: Child Support Services
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with Napa County Child Support Regarding the Designation of Two Napa County Child Support Specialists to Provide Services for North Coast Regional Department of Child Support Services
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Director of North Coast Regional Department of Child Support Services (NCRDCSS) to execute the attached memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NCRDCSS and Napa County Child Support Services for case manager services; and
2. Authorize the Director of NCRDCSS, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with Napa County Child Support Services, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3001 - Support a well-trained workforce
DISCUSSION:
The NCRDCSS currently provides child support services for Humboldt and Trinity counties, with Humboldt as the lead county. There are ten Child Support Specialist (CSS) positions allocated to NCRDCSS of which, four are vacant. The CSS is the front-line case manager for families engaged in the child support program. Due to recent retirements and reduction in experienced case managers, there is only one case manager who has more than one year of experience. Six case managers are new to their positions and cannot be assigned any of the complex case work. The lack of experienced case managers is putting NCRDCSS at risk of failing key performance time frames and activities, which will eventually affect the quality of service experienced by customers and the public.
While the Department is actively working to train new employees to be able to handle more complex caseloads, it will take time and the need for experienced caseworkers is immediate.
As a way of closing the knowledge gap while we work to train new staff to handle complex caseloads, NCRDCSS seeks to obtain the services of skilled and qualified CSS currently employed with Napa County Child Support Services to manage complex caseload assignments. Napa County Child Support currently has two highly qualified employees that are trained in complex case work and could assist with NCRDCSS case load. Working together to utilize some of their seasoned employees will benefit will provide community appropriate levels of service in a timely manner. This work would occur remotely through the state Child Support Enforcement (CSE) system. The employee(s) would remain Napa County employee(s), with caseload supervision and funding coming from NCRCSSS.
The Child Support Program is funded with State and Federal funds, and Local Child Support Agencies are encouraged to share services when needed. This agreement is supported and will be approved by the California Department of Child Support Services. No county funds will be impacted. This is not projected to impact future fiscal year (FY) budgets.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Child Support Services (1380)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1380-206) |
FY24-25 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
5,217,592 |
|
Total Expenditures |
5,217,592 |
|
Funding Sources (1380-206) |
FY24-25 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
5,217,592 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
5,217,592 |
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The attached professional services agreement with Napa County Child Support has a maximum amount payable of $200,000 for the period of October 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. In no event shall the maximum amount paid under the attached professional services agreement with Napa County Child Support exceed $200,000.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with Napa County Child Support will be covered by the approved FY 2024-25 budget. These funds are available due to salary savings as well as projected salary savings by holding two Child Support Specialist positions vacant which were estimated to be filled. Two CSS positions will not be deallocated, only held vacant for FY 2024-25.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
NCRDCSS is currently recruiting to fill two of the four vacant CSS positions. Two of the positions will remain vacant to accommodate the funding needs for this request. NCRDCSS does not seek to deallocate positions, these positions will be frozen for the remainder of FY 2024-25.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Napa County Child Support Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached memorandum of understanding with Napa County Child Support. However, if that happens NCRDCSS will have difficulty providing the level of services needed for minimum program requirements and excess funds designated for salaries and benefits will go unspent.
ATTACHMENTS:
Memorandum of Understanding between North Coast Regional Department of Child Support Services and Napa County Child Support Services
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