Adopt budget resolution to amend and adjust the Health and Human Services Agency (“HHSA”) budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to reflect an increase of $272,930 within the following HHSA cost centers: Child Welfare Emergency Response, Approved Relative Care Giver Assistance, Foster Care Assistance, Extended Foster Care Assistance, and Foster Care Assistance; and approve the fourth amendment to Agreement No. 22-143 with Children’s Home Society to extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2026; and add funding in the amount of $926,391 for a new contract maximum of $2,761,812, for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026; and increase funding amounts for future option years. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Planell)

Budget Resolution
On or about September 24, 2024, the Board of Supervisors for the County of Yolo adopted a budget for fiscal year 2024-25 for the Health and Human Services Agency (“HHSA”). On or about December 3, 2024, the California Department of Social Services (“CDSS”) issued County Fiscal Letter No. 24/25-34, informing HHSA of its fiscal year 2024-25 final allocation for the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children (“Bridge Program”), including a planning reappropriation for the Bridge Program. During the adopted budget process, HHSA Fiscal staff were unaware of the full allocation amount reflected in County Fiscal Letter No. 24/25-34; therefore, the additional funds were not included in the adopted budget process.

Approval of the request herein will enable HHSA to add the amount of $272,930 to its adopted budget for fiscal year 2024-25 and subsequently amend to increase the funding of Agreement No. 22-143 with Children’s Home Society.

Amendment
The Yolo County Bridge Program provides resource and referral (“R&R”) services, trauma-informed training for childcare providers, and a voucher payment system for childcare services for Resource Families/Foster Parents. The Bridge Program is a temporary childcare voucher program where services may be provided for up to six (6) months. If necessary, HHSA may extend services for up to twelve (12) months. The purpose of the Bridge Program is to provide Resource Families/Foster Parents with immediate access to childcare. A primary goal of temporary childcare assistance is to concurrently enroll families in a permanent long term childcare program so that there is a smooth transition to permanent childcare with no break in services. The Bridge Program also provides a Child Care Navigator and provides a voucher payment program for emergency childcare in an effort to increase placement and stability for children that enter the County of Yolo Child Welfare System (“CWS”).  In addition, the Bridge Program provides childcare providers with trauma-informed care training in order to give childcare providers support and education when caregiving for a child that has incurred trauma.

Subsidized childcare in Yolo County is scarce and typically has long waiting lists for those eligible to the programs. In addition, CWS encounters barriers to finding immediate placement for children because many Resource Families/Foster Parents are employed and have a need for childcare for children placed with them. In many instances, childcare may be the only reason why a child is not placed immediately.

On or about June 28, 2022, the County entered into an Agreement with Children’s Home Society to provide services for Yolo County dependents and Resource Families/Foster Parents, as well as provide opportunities for increased placements for Yolo County dependents. On or about June 27, 2023, the County amended the Agreement to increase funding in the amount of $361,801 for Fiscal Year 2022-23. The additional funding was based on the increased allocation for Bridge Program services by CDSS. On or about January 9, 2024, the County further amended the Agreement to increase funding in the amount of $182,027 for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The additional funding was based on the increased allocation for Bridge Program services by CDSS. On or about June 17, 2024, the County further amended the Agreement to shift funding within the 2023-24 budget with no increase to the contract maximum.

HHSA requests approval of this fourth Amendment which extends the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2026, increases 2024-25 funding in the amount of $272,930, adds funding for 2025-26 (taking the existing 2025-26 option year amount of $430,531 and adding an additional $272,930), for a new total contract maximum of $2,761,812. The fourth amendment also increases the 2026-27 option year funding amount by $272,930. The additional funding is based on the increased allocation for Bridge Program services issued by CDSS as outlined in County Fiscal Letter 24/25-34.

Department of Financial Services has reviewed and approved the Resolution
County Counsel has approved this Resolution and Amendment as to form
General Services Department, Procurement Division

On June 1, 2022, the then acting County’s Deputy Director of GSD/Manager of Procurement/County Purchasing Agent (“Purchasing Agent”) approved a sole source procurement for these services.

Purchasing Agent reviewed HHSA’s request and determined that it was in the best interest of the County to approve the sole source. Without sole source approval, HHSA would be unable to implement the emergency childcare for foster children program and possibly impacting the placement of children in foster care and creating additional expenses for caregivers. Factors considered, included but were not limited to: 1) vendor is the only local R&R services for Yolo County; 2) satisfactory vendor performance; 3) rates are based on Regional Market Rate (RMR) Survey; and 4) vendor programs include childcare navigator in the County and provides resource family and foster parents a voucher payment program for emergency childcare. In addition, vendor provides trauma-informed care training to childcare providers for support and education when caregiving for a child that may incur trauma.

Performance Measures
Performance Measures were included in the underlying Agreement and are not being revised at this time (See Att. C. Performance Measures).

HHSA confirms Children’s Home Society of California is performing satisfactorily under this Agreement. Children’s Home Society provides childcare services for an average of 15 foster care children per month. Approximately 2 to 3 foster care children receiving Bridge Program services transition to permanent subsidized care per month. HHSA’s determination is based on review of monthly reports, and consistent communication confirming service delivery and childcare transitions.