To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement with Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) for the AmeriCorps Child Welfare Services (CWS) Improvement Activities Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approves the Agreement with Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) for the AmeriCorps Child Welfare Services (CWS) Improvement AmeriCorps Program effective October 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023, and
2. Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Director of Child Welfare Services, or a designee thereof, sign any amendments to the Professional Services Agreement after approval from Risk Management, County Counsel and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct Clerk of the Board to route the fully executed agreement to the DHHS-Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund 1160
DISCUSSION:
For more than 10 years, AmeriCorps members have served in local Family Resource Centers to assist with connecting families to community resources. DHHS-Children and Family Services contracts with Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) that in turn contracts with Prevent Child Abuse California (PCA CA), a statewide consortium of Child Abuse Prevention Councils that facilitates the employment of AmeriCorps members and provides cash match amounts for AmeriCorps salaries.
RCAA will provide the following services:
1. Administer a contract with PCA CA for 12 AmeriCorps members.
2. Recruitment, selection, enrollment and retention of AmeriCorps members.
3. Ongoing site and member support.
4. Regular meetings to support members in professional development, regional collaboration and the planning and implementing of service activities.
5. Support to host site agencies regarding member monitoring.
6. Collect required data on behalf of the DHHS-Children & Family Services for payment and administrative record. Data must be delivered on a quarterly basis.
In March 2005, the Board of Supervisors approved the original Agreement with RCAA. Funds from that contract allowed DHHS to recruit AmeriCorps members to positions with local Family Resource Centers and with the DHHS-Children and Family Services (CFS). Since the inception of the program, AmeriCorps workers have assisted in connecting families to community resources and through their conscientious efforts have made a difference for children and families throughout Humboldt County.
The annual program cost for the AmeriCorps program in Humboldt County will be $372,557. The term of this new AmeriCorps Program Agreement with RCAA is scheduled to run from Oct. 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023.
In the current proposed agreement the budget structure is discussed under Exhibit B to the Agreement, includes RCAA’s costs to administer the AmeriCorps program, as well as the straight cash match for the salaries of 12 AmeriCorps members.
Therefore, DHHS recommends that the Board approves the Agreement with RCAA, authorizes the Chair to sign the Agreement, and directs the Clerk of the Board to route the fully executed agreement to the DHHS-Contract Unit for further processing.
After reviewing a request for a significant budget increase from RCAA; CWS, DHHS Fiscal and DHHS Contracts Unit worked with RCAA to find an appropriate and fiscally responsible budget compromise. This took a significant amount of time. Although this contract is now late to the Board, a budget compromise has been reached.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The maximum cost payable under this Agreement with Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) for FY 2021-22 is $279,960.00. The maximum payable for FY 2022-23 is $372,557.00. In the event that the maximum amount payable for a specified fiscal year is not reached, the remaining balance thereof will be added to the maximum amount payable for the following fiscal year.
The expenditures related to this agreement have been included in the county approved budget for FY 2021-22 in fund 1160, Budget Unit 508 - Child Welfare Services (CWS). Future expenditures related to this agreement will be included in the county budget for FY 2022-23 and future years if the term is extended by amendment. Budget 508 CWS is funded with 2011 Realignment funds, which are comprised of set portions of state sales tax and vehicle license fees provided to counties to support various programs. There is no impact to the county General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Prevent Child Abuse California and Redwood Community Action Agency
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board can choose not to approve the Agreement with Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) but it is not recommended as this would lead to larger impacts on DHHS staff and resources.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Professional Services Agreement with RCAA AmeriCorps
2) Certificate of Liability Insurance
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-7
Meeting of: 4/9/2019
File No.: 19-405