To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Education Affiliation Agreement with the University of Southern California Regarding the Provision of Supervised Practical Social Work Experiences at Department of Health and Human Services Facilities
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California regarding the provision of supervised practical social work experiences at Department of Health and Human Services facilities for the period of June 27, 2023 through June 30, 2024;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office;
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all professional education affiliation agreements, and other student placement agreements, that are substantially similar to the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original copy of the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170)
DISCUSSION:
The University of Southern California’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers an online Master of Social Work program, with full and part-time pacing options, that prepares students to create positive change at the individual and community levels. This program is a Council on Social Work Education accredited program that prepares students to become licensed clinical social workers in direct-practice settings. Once students have completed two (2) semesters of the comprehensive foundation content, students work with a dedicated placement specialist for the integral field internship portion of the program.
The attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California will allow for the placement of students enrolled in the Master of Social Work program in the County of Humboldt’s Healthy Moms and Family Wellness Court Programs up to twenty (20) hours per week for the period of June 27, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Accordingly, the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (“DHHS - Behavioral Health”) recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached professional education agreement with the University of Southern California regarding the provision of supervised practical social work experiences at DHHS facilities for the period of June 27, 2023 through June 30, 2024. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California, and any and all professional education affiliation agreements, and other student placement agreements, with other entities, that are substantially similar thereto, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the placement of student interns at DHHS facilities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no costs directly related to the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California. As a result, approval of the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There are no staffing impacts directly related to the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California. Interns will be able to fulfill their internship hours during their regular employment schedule. Supporting interns in earning a Master of Social Work degree in will ultimately benefit the quality of Humboldt County staff.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by improving recruitment, candidate pool and quality.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached professional education affiliation agreement with the University of Southern California regarding the provision of supervised practical social work experiences at DHHS facilities. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not support the workforce development that DHHS programs need in order to provide critical services to children and families residing in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Education Affiliation Agreement with the University of Southern California Regarding the Provision of Supervised Practical Social Work Experiences at Department of Health and Human Services Facilities
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A