COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

May 13, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 3, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

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

Renee Smylie, Director, Children and Family Services

SUBJECT:

Two-Year Agreement with San Mateo County Office of Education

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A. Waving the Request for Proposal (RFP) process;

B. Authorizing the execution of a Two-Year Agreement with San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) to provide educational services for children in the shelter/foster care system, for the term July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010, in the amount of $203,940, $67,300 is Net County Cost; and

C. Authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency or the Director’s designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate), and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Providing equal access to educational opportunity.

Goal (4): Residents have many educational and training opportunities beyond high school.

This Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by helping children in shelter homes who will not lose valuable school credits and will be placed in appropriate school programs.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2007-08
Actual

FY 2008-09
Target

Reduce the number of  school days lost in transferring schools upon entering foster care

Average of two to five days

Average of two to three days

Increase the number of school age youth who have an updated *Educational Passport

300

310

*Educational Passport is a document in the Child Welfare System and Case Management System database, where all educational information is stored.

BACKGROUND:

The San Mateo County Office of Education serves children in shelter/foster care to obtain educational histories, assist with school placements and provide case management services. They facilitate the school placement process, provide and maintain data on the academic progress and services to County shelter/foster care students. Unfortunately, funds are not available from the California Department of Education to ensure that all eligible youth are served; therefore the Human Services Agency will provide support for the program. It is essential to ensure that youth in foster care receive these services so their out of home placement will not impact their ability to receive a good education.

DISCUSSION:

This Two-Year Agreement with San Mateo County Office of Education is to provide an educational liaison to develop educational plans and provide case management services for students placed by the Human Services Agency and the Probation Department in the shelter/foster care system. The liaison will facilitate each placement of shelter/foster care students into appropriate school settings, obtain educational histories, refer students for educational assessment as needed and support placement staff in educational planning. Additionally, they will provide tutoring services. It is in the best interest of the County to waive the Request for Proposal (RFP) process because San Mateo County Office of Education is the only provider for these services.

The 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 approved this Amendment as to form and Risk Management has approved the Contractor’s insurance.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010. The total obligation is $203,940, of which $101,970 is for each Fiscal Year. Funding is 34% Federal ($69,340), 33% State ($67,300) and 33% ($67,300) is Net County Cost. Appropriations have been included in the FY 2008-09 and FY 2009-10 Recommended Budgets.