To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:title
Professional Services Agreement with Richard England Regarding the Provision of Expert Witness Services in Accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Actend
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 One Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($140,000.00) for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027;
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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STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors' Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
Since 2013, Richard England has provided expert witness services as required by the Indian Child Welfare Act. The expert witness services provided by Richard England include, without limitation, reviewing case records, police reports and case notes and conducting interviews as necessary to complete an evaluation. The expert witness opinion reports prepared by Richard England are used by the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services ("DHHS - Child Welfar...
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