To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with Redwoods Community College District Regarding the Provision of Educational and Training Opportunities as Part of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District regarding the provision of educational and training opportunities as part of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program for the period of Feb. 27, 2024 through June 30, 2026;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit with one fully executed, original copy of the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160-508)
DISCUSSION:
The Foster and Kinship Care Education Program was established after the passage of California Senate Bill 2003 in 1984, which authorizes funding for education and training of foster parents, kinship and non-relative caregivers (Resource Families) at community colleges in consultation with the local county child welfare. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office is responsible for allocating these funds to support community college Foster and Kinship Care Education Program initiatives statewide. The Foster and Kinship Care Education Program Advisory Committee was established, as required by California Education Code Section 79420, to provide consultation, promote collaboration and partnership regarding the fiscal responsibility of allocating Foster and Kinship Care Education Program funding.
The local Foster and Kinship Care Education Program at College of the Redwoods provides Resource Family training as part of the child-centered Resource Family Approval process in California. Classes and workshops cover a variety of mandated topics, including, without limitation, child protective and probation systems, cultural needs of children, birth parent relationships, grief and loss, behavioral supports for children impacted by trauma, permanence and education needs of children in foster care. These classes meet the pre-approval and annual training requirements for Resource Families as well as specialized skill areas, such as providing care and supervision to children with special health care needs, understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act and best practices when caring for commercially exploited children. Foster and Kinship Care Education is essential in meeting the multifaceted and complex needs of foster children in California.
The attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District continues the existing, long-term cooperation between the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services (DHHS - Child Welfare Services) and the College of the Redwoods’ Foster and Kinship Care Education Program, in order to ensure the provision of high quality educational and training opportunities for caregivers of foster and probation children and youth in Humboldt County for the period of Feb. 27, 2024 through June 30, 2026.
Accordingly, DHHS - Child Welfare Services recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District regarding the provision of educational and training opportunities as part of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program for the period of February 27, 2024 through June 30, 2026. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS - Child Welfare Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District, 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 educational and training opportunities to Resource Families in Humboldt County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District regarding the provision of educational and training opportunities as part of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program.
STAFFING IMPACT:
The attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District will not impact current staffing levels.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwoods Community College District regarding the provision of educational and training opportunities as part of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program. However, this alternative is not recommended. As it would limit local Resource Families’ ability to obtain and maintain their approval to provide care to foster children and youth and probation wards.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with Redwoods Community College District Regarding the Provision of Educational and Training Opportunities as Part of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A