COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

June 23, 2011

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 12, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

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

SUBJECT:

Agreement with San Mateo County Office of Education

RECOMMENDATION:

A. Adopt a Resolution waving the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) to provide educational services for children in the shelter/foster care system, for the term of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, in the amount of $101,970, $33,650 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.

BACKGROUND

SMCOE assist children in shelter/foster care by obtaining educational histories, school placements, maintain data on the academic progress and provide case management services. 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 educational services. 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 Agreement with SMCOE 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 placements 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, the liaison will provide tutoring services. It is in the best interest of the County to waive the Request for Proposal (RFP) process because SMCOE is the only provider for these services and should be considered a sole source provider.

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 this Agreement and Resolution as to form. Risk Management has approved the Contractor’s insurance.

This Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by helping youth in shelter homes not lose valuable school credits, and to be placed in appropriate school programs. The Agreement furthermore contributes to educational stability for youth by ensuring educational advocates are available to support youth in navigating through different school districts. As a result of this Agreement, it is anticipated that the number of school days lost for shelter/foster youth, transfering between schools and districts will reduce by an average of two to three days, the disproportionate expulsion rate will reduce by 10% and the increase of foster youth graduating or obtaining a GED will increases by 10%.

Performance Measure(s):

Performance Measure

FY 2011-12
Target

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

2-3 days

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

100%

Reduce the high disproportionate expulsion rate of youth in foster care placement

Reduce the expulsion rate by 10%

Increase the rate of eligible youth graduating or obtaining GED

Increase the rate by 10%

*Educational Passport is a document in the Child Welfare System and Case Management System database

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The total obligation is $101,970, of which, $34,670 is federal funded, $33,650 is state funded and $33,650 is Net County Cost. Appropriations have been included in the FY 2011-12 tentatively Adopted Budget.