To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with Richard England Regarding the Provision of Expert Witness Services in Accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act
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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 Richard England regarding the provision of expert witness services in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act in an amount not to exceed Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000.00) for the period of January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023;
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 professional services agreement with Richard England, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original copy of the attached professional services agreement with Richard England to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160)
DISCUSSION:
At the foundation of the Indian Child Welfare Act is the federal policy that it is in the best interest of the Indian child to retain tribal ties and cultural heritage, and in the interest of the tribe to preserve its future generations. It establishes standards with higher evidentiary requirements when an Indian child is the subject of a child custody proceeding. Specifically, expert witness testimony regarding whether the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child must be considered before the state court can order an involuntary foster care placement of a child or the termina...
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