To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
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Professional Services Agreement with the Humboldt County Office of Education Regarding the Provision of Support Services to Youth and Families Who Have Been Referred to a Regional School Attendance Review Board
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with the Humboldt County Office of Education regarding the provision of support services to youth and families who have been referred to a regional School Attendance Review Board in the amount of $99,399.23 for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023;
2. Authorize the Department of Health & Human Services - Social Services Director, or a designee thereof to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with the Humboldt Office of Education, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office;
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed original copy of the attached professional services agreement with the Humboldt County Office of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund , State Realignment funding 1160-508-507030
DISCUSSION:
Children residing in Humboldt County are served in great numbers by both the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) and the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). DHHS and HCOE have increased collaboration to address the needs of children in Humboldt County and are working to collectively address the increased demand for services. HCOE and DHHS have a shared focus on prevention and early intervention as key to student and family success.
HCOE staffs the position of Program Manager for the Court/Community Schools Program. The Program Manager has provided, and continues to provide, an array of direct support services to youth and families who have been referred to a regional School Attendance Review Board due to academic, behavior or attendance concerns. The Program Manager is also the liaison to School Attendance Court: a 9-month, court-supervised, diversion program designed to assist and support families in the improvement of school attendance. Youth who have been referred to a regional School Attendance Review Board, or the above-referenced diversion program, are often prospective or current DHHS clients who are receiving Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs or other services that may be considered “targeted intervention” services. In some cases, the families of such youth may be involved, or at risk of involvement, with DHHS - Behavioral Health or Child Welfare Services. Approximately 85% of families who have been referred to a regional School Attendance Review Board 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 of the school year.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s secondary impacts on the community take expected and unexpected forms. Families are struggling under the weight of massive change, disadvantage, disenfranchisement, and dislocation. Social and economic impediments are manifesting in many families in part as chronic absenteeism from school. Early national data suggests rates of chronic absenteeism have as much as tripled with disproportionate impact on Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities. Providing supports and interventions to transition students and families back into an in-person, daily schedule has never been more critical than it is this and in upcoming years.
HCOE’s plans for fiscal year 2022-2023 include increasing School Attendance Review Board utilization while supporting the efforts of local school districts to improve school climate and provide early, on-site interventions. In a typical school year, less than 1% of students countywide participate in a regional School Attendance Review Board. This demonstrates a stark under-utilization of the regional School Attendance Review Boards, as 15% of students across the county meet the criteria for chronic absenteeism. The Program Manager employed by HCOE assists youth and families to receive direct support services and be referred to other necessary services and assistance before circumstances in the family require crisis intervention. In order to serve current DHHS clients, and prevent the need for crisis services, DHHS seeks to fund 50% of the salary and benefit costs associated with the Program Manager position. The Program Manager is a full-time HCOE employee with no reporting or other responsibilities to DHHS.
The attached professional services agreement will allow for the continued provision of direct support services to youth and families who have been referred to a regional School Attendance Review Board for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with HCOE. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Social Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with HCOE, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of needed support services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with HCOE has a maximum amount payable of $99,399.23 for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. However, in the event local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the attached professional services agreement with HCOE in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with HCOE have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2022-2023 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-508. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with HCOE is available through state realignment revenues received by DHHS - Social Services. As a result, approval of the attached professional services agreement with HCOE will not impact the Humboldt County 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:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the agreement or allow the Chair to sign such agreements, however this alternative is not recommended as it will not allow for the provision of needed school absence prevention activities and services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with the Humboldt County Office of Education Regarding the Provision of Support Services to Youth and Families Who Have Been Referred to a Regional School Attendance Board for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-14, C-8
Meeting of: 06/19/18; 06/11/19
File No.: 18-594; 19-746; 22-710