COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

December 21, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 9, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Beverly Beasley Johnson, J.D., Director, Human Services Agency

Mark Lane, Director, Children and Family Services

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the Agreement with Moss Beach Homes, Inc.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing an Amendment to the Agreement with Moss Beach Homes, Inc. (MBH), to provide administration for the “Change of Placement Program” for dependent children at the County’s Tower House Receiving Home; the term remains the same, July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008, increasing the amount by $257,500 to $507,500.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 6: Children grow up healthy in safe and supportive homes and neighborhoods.

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others achieve a better quality of life. The Agreement contributes to this commitment and goals by providing children who are in need of out-of-home placement a safe, transitional place to stay and the opportunity to learn life skills to assist in achieving placement stability.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07

Projected

FY 2007-08
Projected

Percent of youth who exit MBH that are placed in a safe and stable living situation*

N/A

N/A

70%

Number of children admitted in Tower House

45

53

53

BACKGROUND:

On July 26, 2005, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution Number 067465 in the amount of $250,000 for MBH to provide the “Change of Placement Program,” which has been successful in providing a stable environment for transitioning adolescents. To date, it is the only program of its kind in California and other counties have approached MBH regarding replicating the program. The three-year Agreement was for services for July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008 and it was agreed that funding would be for the first year only, with funding for the remaining years to be negotiated and reflected as subsequent amendments to the Agreement.

DISCUSSION:

This Amendment adds funds for the second year for the “Change of Placement Program” at the Tower House Receiving Home. MBH has operated this program in the current facility since initially developed. Currently, planning is underway to construct a new facility on the Youth Services Campus, where this program will be expanded to a 12-bed facility. After completion of construction in mid-2007, the new facility and program will be licensed by the State. The licensing process will take 10-months; therefore, the current program, construction, and licensing will be coordinated for a smooth transition.

HSA and the Contractor tracks the types of placements after exiting Tower House to determine the amount of safe and stable living situations—defined as reunification, emancipation, or placement in a foster home, group home, or with a relative—that are provided. Subsequent placements will be monitored by Social Workers who provide case management.

This Contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form and Risk Management has approved Contractor’s insurance.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement remains the same, July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008. This Amendment will increase the contract by $257,500 to a total obligation of $507,500. Expenditures are 100% State and federally-funded. Appropriations have been included in the FY 2006-07 Adopted Budget. Funding for the third year will be negotiated and reflected in a form of an Amendment. There is no Net County Cost.