To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
First Amendment to the Humboldt County Foster Youth Education Transportation Coordination Program Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and Various Humboldt County School Districts Regarding Transportation of Foster Students to their School of Origin
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and ratify the Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services Deputy Director’s and the Humboldt County Chief Probation Officer’s execution of, the attached first amendment to the Humboldt County foster youth education transportation coordination program memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and various Humboldt County School Districts regarding transportation of foster students to their school of origin for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services Director and the Humboldt County Chief Probation Officer, or designees thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached first amendment to the Humboldt County foster youth education transportation coordination program memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and various Humboldt County School Districts, 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 fully executed original copy of the attached first amendment to the Humboldt County foster youth education transportation coordination program memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and various Humboldt County School Districts to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund - Fund 1160
DISCUSSION:
The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed by President Obama on Dec. 10, 2015 for the purpose of providing all children significant opportunities to receive a fair, equitable and high-quality education. New provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act specific to students in foster care are designed to support school districts in their efforts to serve foster youth effectively, including, without limitation, the assurance that foster youth be enrolled or remain in their school of origin, unless it is determined that it is not in their best interest to do so.
On March 3, 2020 (Item C-15), the Board of Supervisors approved the Humboldt County foster youth education transportation coordination program memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) and various Humboldt County School Districts (School Districts) regarding transportation of foster students to their school of origin, as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act, for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The attached first amendment to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts will extend the term thereof through June 30, 2023 and allow for two additional 1-year term extensions.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board approve, and ratify the Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services (DHHS - Child Welfare Services) Deputy Director’s and the Humboldt County Chief Probation Officer’s execution of, the attached first amendment to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts regarding transportation of foster students to their school of origin for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS - Child Welfare Services Director and the Humboldt County Chief Probation Officer, or designees thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts, 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 transportation to foster students.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no specific dollar amount associated with the attached first amendment to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts. Dependent upon the placing agency, either DHHS - Child Welfare Services or the Humboldt County Probation Department (Probation) shall share 50% of any additional transportation costs with the District of Attendance on a case-by-case basis.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached first amendment to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts has been included in the proposed fiscal year 2020-2021 budgets for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-508 and Probation budget unit 1100-235. Funding for the attached first amendment to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts is available through federal Title IV-E and state realignment revenues received by DHHS - Child Welfare Services and Probation. As a result, approval of the attached first amendment to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
HCOE, Humboldt County School Districts
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached first amendment to the MOU with HCOE and the School Districts regarding transportation of foster students to their school of origin. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will negatively impact the educational continuity and long-term well-being of foster youth in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. First Amendment to the Humboldt County Foster Youth Education Transportation Coordination Program Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and Various Humboldt County School Districts Regarding Transportation of Foster Students to their School of Origin
2. Humboldt County Foster Youth Education Transportation Coordination Program Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and Various Humboldt County School Districts Regarding Transportation of Foster Students to their School of Origin
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-15
Meeting of: 03/03/20
File No.: 20-177; 20-897