To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. Regarding the Provision of Administrative Services Related to the Development and Implementation of a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program in Humboldt County
end
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 Redwood Community Services, Inc. regarding the provision of administrative services related to the development and implementation of a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program in Humboldt County in an amount not to exceed Ninety-Seven Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars and Seventy Cents ($97,478.70) for the period of Sept. 14, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021;
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 Redwood Community Services, Inc., 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 Redwood Community Services, Inc. to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160)
DISCUSSION:
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, California Assembly Bill 403 established the statutory and policy framework for Continuum of Care Reform in order to ensure services and supports provided to children, youth and families throughout the state are tailored toward the ultimate goal of maintaining a stable permanent family. Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs were created as part of the Continuum of Care Reform to allow for the coordination and integration of specialized and intensive short-term residential treatment and supervision services and supports provided to children and nonminor dependents.
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services (“DHHS - Child Welfare Services”) place children and youth in Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs when an intensive level of care is required to ensure their safety and well-being. The County of Humboldt does not currently have a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program and the closest facilities are located in Redding and Santa Rosa. Placing children in an out-of-County Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program presents significant challenges to DHHS - Child Welfare Services’ efforts to support its clients. Additionally, placement in out-of-county Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs is time intensive and therefore costly, as staff must drive children and youth to and from the placements. As a result, an alternative to out-of-county Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program placements is needed at this time.
Redwood Community Services, Inc. has agreed to assist DHHS - Child Welfare Services with the establishment of a licensed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program in Humboldt County. Redwood Community Services, Inc. has partnered with DHHS - Child Welfare Services in other efforts, including, without limitation, the implementation of Therapeutic Foster Care programs, and has established itself as an organization that provides high quality services while maintaining a strong administrative support structure. The attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. will allow for the provision of administrative services that are designed to assist with the development and implementation of a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program in Humboldt County by Dec. 31, 2021.
Accordingly, DHHS - Child Welfare Services recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. regarding the provision of administrative services related to the development and implementation of a Short-Term Therapeutic Residential Program in Humboldt County for the period of Sept. 14, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Child Welfare Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc., 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 needed administrative services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. has a maximum amount payable of Ninety-Seven Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars and Seventy Cents ($97,478.70) for the period of Sept. 14, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021. However, in the event local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. have been included in the approved fiscal year 2021-22 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-508. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. is available through federal Title IV-E revenues received by DHHS - Child Welfare Services. As a result, approval of the attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health, providing community-appropriate levels of service and facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached professional services agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. regarding the provision of administrative services related to the development and implementation of a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program in Humboldt County. However, this alternative is not recommended as it will not allow DHHS - Child Welfare Services to better serve children and youth who require intensive levels of care and support.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Redwood Community Services, Inc. Regarding the Provision of Administrative Services Related to the Development and Implementation of a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program in Humboldt County
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A