That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Rosa Santoyo for mental health services required for students and families enrolled in the Early Head Start program, at a rate of $78 per hour with 20 percent as an in-kind donation to the program for an adjusted rate of $65 per hour, not to exceed 36 hours per month for the 2021-2022 school year.

Early Head Start program guidelines require participants, parents, and staff receive mental health services as a part of the program.  For many years, Orange County Head Start (OCHS) provided these services for the City and the other delegate agencies; however, OCHS now requires each delegate agency to obtain its own consultant for these services.  All of these services are used on an "as needed" basis depending on student and family needs.

Ms. Santoyo is a licensed marriage and family therapist and will provide any needed mental health services for the participants, observe children for potential behavior issues, provide on-site counseling services to children and parents, and present staff and parent workshops for our participants.  Ms. Santoyo has been working with OCHS and their delegate agencies, including the City of La Habra, for a number of years and her services have been professional and well received.  If approved, Ms. Santoyo will receive $78 per hour, subject to a 20 percent in-kind donation for a final adjusted rate of $65 per hour, not to exceed 36 hours per month.

The Early Head Start program is federally funded through a grant from OCHS.  All direct program costs, including the approximate maximum annual cost of $28,080 for these mental heath consulting services, are paid through the grant and the administrative cost reimbursement fully covers all related administrative services such as Information Services, Finance Department support, and Community Services Department management.  No General Funds support the program.