COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

July 14, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 27, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Mark Lane, Director, Children & Family Services

Ursula Bischoff, Research and Planning Manager

SUBJECT:

Acceptance of Grant from First 5 San Mateo County

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution to:

1. Accept a 36-month continuation grant from First 5 San Mateo County in the amount of $1,353,683 for the term of July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2007; and

2. Authorize the Director of the Human Services Agency to execute documents necessary to the grant implementation.

Background

In 2001, the County of San Mateo Human Services Agency (HSA) received funding from First 5 San Mateo County (First 5 SMC) to launch the Foster Care & Caregivers Child Care Program (FCCC). The original goal of FCCC was to provide a “stable and wholesome home environment for children placed with foster parents and family caregivers by reducing caregiver stress and increasing quality child care options.” Services included child care and respite care subsidies for working foster care parents and relative caregivers; and training for child care providers who care for these children. Results suggested many families were struggling with issues of domestic violence, child maltreatment, or substance abuse wanted services more intensive and therapeutic in nature for their children.

At the same time as the FCCC was being implemented, HSA launched two important and related initiatives: Violence in Families Initiative Program (VIP) and the state-mandated Child Welfare Services (CWS) Redesign. Both efforts seek to ensure an integrated services response, and services reach families affected by domestic violence, substance abuse, and/or child maltreatment before problems escalate and families formally enter the child welfare system. VIP is currently in operation. Planning for CWS Redesign is under way, with full implementation of this major systems change effort slated for June 2008.

Given the results of the initial phase of FCCC, the establishment of VIP, and the impending changes created by CWS Redesign, HSA requested and was awarded continuation funding by First 5 SMC for a modified therapeutic child care and parenting services program which creates an integrated systems response for families. This project has emerged as a product of a collaborative community planning process conducted to ensure that services provided in the FCCC program better address children’s developmental needs and are part of an integrated service delivery approach supporting vulnerable families. A copy of the grant award letter dated March 31, 2004 is attached.

Discussion

The key elements of this First 5 grant-funded continuation project are: (1) continuation of child care services for parents and kin caregivers (relatives) of foster children; (2) an expansion of the population eligible for services and an intensification of services to provide therapeutic child care for children in families affected by domestic violence, child maltreatment, and/or substance abuse; and (3) services to improve parenting skills. The project will provide an integrated systems response to children and families affected by substance abuse, domestic violence, and/or child maltreatment. Approximately 25 children and 20-40 families will participate in the grant-funded services each year.

The grant includes the contingency that funds are allocated for a Project Coordinator position to ensure sufficient staffing and appropriate coordination of funded activities.

Vision Alignment

These grant-funded services are consistent with the commitment to: Ensure basic health and safety for all and goal number 8: Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others – achieve a better quality for life. The services contribute to this commitment and goal by providing families involved in the First 5 San Mateo County grant-funded services with therapeutic child care and parenting services, which in turn contributes to the health and safety of the communities in San Mateo County.

Fiscal Impact

The grant awarded to San Mateo County’s Human Services Agency through First 5 San Mateo County is for a 36-month period from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2007 in the amount of $1,353,683. Appropriations will be included in the FY 2004-05 and FY 2005-06 Recommended Budget through a September Revision. There is no Net County Cost.