File #: 23-610    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Passed
File created: 4/25/2023 In control: DHHS: Administrative
On agenda: 5/16/2023 Final action: 5/16/2023
Title: Professional Services Agreement with Richard England Regarding the Provision of Expert Witness Services in Accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. ICWA Expert Witness Services Agreement FY 23-25 Richard England, 3. Executed Agreement with Richard England.pdf
Previous Action/Referral: 19-1677, 21-1742
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 Act
title
end
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 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, 2023 through June 30, 2025; and
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.

Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160-508)

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 Welfare Services") to determine whether: continued custody by the parents or Indian custodian will likely result in serious physical ...

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