To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center Regarding the Development of Programs, Policies, Procedures and Processes that are Designed to Address Systemic Barriers to the Provision of Interagency Services to Children, Youth and Families Residing in Humboldt County
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chief Probation Officer, the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director and the Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Service Director, or designees thereof, to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center regarding the development of programs, policies, procedures and processes that are designed to address systemic barriers to the provision of interagency services to children, youth and families residing in Humboldt County;
2. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer, the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director and the Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Service Director, or designees thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center, 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 copy of the attached Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
None
DISCUSSION:
California Assembly Bill 2083 requires counties to work with local agencies, entities and stakeholder groups to develop and implement a memorandum of understanding outlining the roles and responsibilities of the various local entities that serve children and youth in foster care who have experienced severe trauma. The legislation is focused on the child welfare system, but can and must be expanded to look at children and youth served by various other systems.
Over the past year the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Child Welfare Services, the Humboldt County Probation Department, the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center, have worked to create the attached memorandum of understanding regarding the development of programs, policies, procedures and processes that are designed to address systemic barriers to the provision of interagency services to children, youth and families residing in Humboldt County. The attached memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center facilitates mutual understanding and acknowledgement with regard to purpose and intent, goals, objectives, rights, roles and responsibilities and establishes an interagency process that is intended to:
• Promote and provide integrated, comprehensive, outcome-focused, family-centered, strength-based and culturally proficient services through a single service plan.
• Identify, develop and maintain service systems consistent with public, private, community-based, school-linked and family partnerships.
• Provide services to children, youth and families in the least restrictive, and least stigmatizing, setting.
• Identify, develop and monitor coordinated policies, procedures, resources and implementation practices for the benefit of at-risk children, youth and families.
• Promote and maintain the provision of high-quality, cost-effective and appropriate evidence-based services.
• Provide on-going support and direction to each partner and its staff regarding the provision of services and resources for at-risk children, youth and families.
• Promote reinvestment of any fiscal savings into identified gaps in services or early intervention, prevention and intensive case management programs in order to avoid, if possible, placement of children and youth into institutionalized settings.
• Assure that the voices, experiences, and wisdom of foster youth and their families and caregivers are incorporated into the collaborations and partnerships.
• Ensure the appropriate utilization of treatment, education and rehabilitation services for children, youth and families in conjunction with appropriate court sanctions while ensuring the safety of the community and school environment.
• Promote coordinated data collection, exchange, tracking and filing, including, without limitation, electronic filing, which permits each partner to measure their performance.
• Ensure that Tribes are incorporated into the partnerships that oversee the delivery of services that impact system involved indigenous youth.
The processes set forth in the attached memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center will provide the framework that will guide partner’s operations, activities, decisions and direction of each of their employees, regarding children, youth and family programming.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are direct costs associated with the attached memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center. As a result, approval of the attached memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center 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 and providing community-appropriate levels of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt - Del Norte Special Education Local Plan Area; Humboldt County Superior Court
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the attached memorandum of understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center regarding the development of programs, policies, procedures and processes that are designed to address systemic barriers to the provision of interagency services to children, youth and families residing in Humboldt County. However, this alternative is not recommended as it reduces the ability to meet requirements set forth in California Assembly Bill 2083.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Redwood Coast Regional Center Regarding the Development of Programs, Policies, Procedures and Processes that are Designed to Address Systemic Barriers to the Provision of Interagency Services to Children, Youth and Families Residing in Humboldt County
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A