COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

May 29, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 23, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

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

Gary Beasley, Director, Children and Family Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Family Service Agency of San Mateo County for supervised and therapeutic child visitation services

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A. Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with Family Service Agency of San Mateo County (FSA) to provide supervised and therapeutic child visitation services, for the term July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012, in the amount of $634,500, $444,150 is Net County Cost; and

B. 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: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

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

This Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by ensuring children who have been removed from their homes have safe and meaningful visits with parents, and other relatives, with the ultimate goal of family reunification.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2009-10
Target

FY 2010-11

Target

FY 2011-12

Target

Number of families referred to FSA actually scheduled for visits.

90%

91%

92%

BACKGROUND:

FSA is a local nonprofit organization that facilitates supervised family visitations for abused or neglected children and their parents. Supervised visitation is a significant factor in safe family reunifications or in planning another permanent home for the child. It allows parents to maintain contact with their child(ren) while providing protection to the children. Trained visitation monitors supervise the visit, evaluate the relationship and quality of parent-child interactions, and provide feedback to the Children and Family Services social workers. Additionally, the visitation monitors work closely with the family and the parents on positive parenting techniques.

The Human Services Agency (HSA) conducted a Request For Proposal Process in February 2009 (see Exhibit A attached). Family Service Agency was selected as a result of the RFP due to their extensive expertise in providing these types of services and ability to serve all regions of the County of San Mateo.

DISCUSSION:

FSA will provide supervised visitation and therapeutic visitation services for families where children have been removed from the home.

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 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 is July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012.  The total obligation of this Agreement is $634,500.  Of this amount, $190,350 is funded through Child Welfare Services Funds and $444,150 is Net County Cost.  Appropriations will be included in the Recommended Budgets for FY 2009-10, FY 2010-11 and FY 2011-12.