To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Subject:
title
Agreement with the California Department of Social Services Regarding the Provision and Receipt of Legal Consultation and Legal Representation Associated with the Resource Family Approval Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached agreement with the California Department of Social Services ("CDSS") regarding the provision and receipt of legal consultation and legal representation associated with the Resource Family Approval program for approval of homes for Humboldt County foster children; authorize the Department of Health and Human Services ("DHHS") - Child Welfare Services ("CWS") Director to exercise the options to extend the agreement on behalf of DHHS-CWS, under the same terms and conditions; authorize the DHHS-CWS Director to amend and execute program elements of the agreement as necessary after review and approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and direct the Clerk of the Board to return three (3) fully executed original copies of the attached agreement to the DHHS Contract Unit for forwarding to DHHS-CWS for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services
DISCUSSION:
The attached agreement with the California Department of Social Services ("CDSS") provides for the legal consultation and legal representation associated with the Resource Family Approval (RFA) program in DHHS-Child Welfare Services ("CWS") and the State of California, pursuant to California Welfare and
Institution Codes section 16519.5 et seq.
Resource Family Approval went into effect statewide on January 1, 2017. The RFA process replaces the multiple approval processes of relative/non-related extended family member homes, guardian homes, foster family homes, and adoptive homes into one unified approval process.
Pursuant to Government Code section 30029.7, subdivision (a), the county and CDSS may enter into an agreement for CDSS to provide services or activities related to RFA. The CDSS Legal Division is experienced in the matters of legal consultation and legal representation that may be required through the provision of RFA services by the county.
The services provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of the attached agreement include consultation and legal representation regarding matters of RFA criminal records exemption, denial, appeal, rescission, and exclusion actions of prospective or approved RFA homes.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the Agreement with the California Department of Social Services Regarding the Provision and
Receipt of Legal Consultation and Legal Representation Associated with the Resource Family Approval Program has no dollars attached to the service provision of the agreement. There is no anticipated impact to the County General Fund.
The agreement with the California Department of Social Services supports the Board of Supervisors strategic framework by providing for and maintaining laws and regulations to protect vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached agreement with CDSS regarding the provision and receipt of legal consultation and representation for the RFA program. However, this alternative is not recommended due to the need for legal services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Agreement with the California Department of Social Services
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A