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Consent-Health & Human Services # 11.
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| Board of Supervisors |
Child, Youth & Family |
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| Subject |
| Approve second amendment to agreement No. 2015-0060 with CommuniCare Health Centers, Inc. to increase funding by $60,000 (for a total of $360,000) for the term of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 and to extend the contract to June 30, 2018 for an additional $300,000 for Supervised Visitation Services for Child Welfare Services clients. (No general fund impact) (Larsen) |
| Recommended Action |
| Approve second amendment to agreement No. 2015-0060 with CommuniCare Health Centers, Inc. to increase funding by $60,000 (for a total of $360,000) for the term of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 and to extend the contract to June 30, 2018 for an additional $300,000 for Supervised Visitation Services for Child Welfare Services clients. |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Thriving Residents
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| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
Supervised visitation is the provision of scheduled contact between the child(ren) in a family and the child(ren)'s biological, adoptive or other relative in the presence of a third party. Historically, supervised visitation services have been provided in child welfare situations where a child is in a court-ordered, out-of-home placement due to allegations or findings of abuse or neglect and the goal is to protect children from inappropriate or unsafe parenting. It is described as the key to successful reunification and the primary mechanism through which family relationships are maintained while a child is in out-of–home care. It is also an opportunity to provide coaching and education to the visitor to develop or enhance their parenting skills. Additionally, it provides the context for learning if and when a parent is willing and able to provide a safe environment for a child or if a permanent plan other than reunification is to be considered. A broader understanding of visitation services would include keeping children connected to a range of family members, other important figures in their lives, and to their culture and community, supporting their sense of belonging, offering ongoing reassurance and reinforcing the continuity of place and culture.
On April 11, 2014, Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for interested vendors to provide supervised visitation services to non-custodial parents and their children. HHSA received only one proposal from this solicitation. After evaluation of the proposal received, CommuniCare Health Centers was selected and awarded to provide these services. The agreement was approved by the Board of Supervisors in July 2014 for the term of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017 with an option to renew for up to two (2) consecutive one-year periods (i.e. July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 and July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019). HHSA plans to issue an RFP at the end of FY2018 for FY201819.
HHSA increased the contract amount in fiscal year (FY) 15/16 in order to support CommuniCare in covering more visits, due to the high demand for these services, as well as an internal need to free up internal staff time to focus on client engagement. For 16/17, HHSA has seen a rise in caseloads, with the average monthly caseload increasing by approximately 16 percent. This necessitates a need to increase the agreement again to accommodate the client demand for supervised visits. This contract amendment will increase the agreement amount in FY 16/17 by $60,000, for a total annual contract of $360,000 and an extension of $300,000 for fiscal year 2017/18. A breakdown of future contract costs is provided in the fiscal information section.
Approval of this amendment allows children in out-of-home placements to benefit from maintaining connections with their birth families. Supervised visitation allows social workers to assess the parent-child relationship and the level of readiness for reunification. It also provides an opportunity to promote the importance of child safety and emotional well-being. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| County Counsel approved agreement as to form. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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Explanation (Expenditure and/or Revenue) |
| Further explanation as needed: |
| Fiscal Year |
Contract Amount |
| 2014/15 |
$300,000 |
| 2015/16 |
$360,000 |
| 2016/17 |
$360,000 (after Board approval) |
| 2017/18 |
$300,000 (after Board approval) |
| 2018/19 |
$300,000 |
| TOTAL |
$1,620,000 |
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