To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Angela Struckmann, 707-565-5800; Regina de Melo, 707-565-4346
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Funding, Alternative Payment Program Agreement and Child Care Program Self-Assessment Findings
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Department to execute for and on behalf of the County of Sonoma, any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining state or federal financial assistance from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the benefit of the Redwood Children’s Center.
B) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Department to:
i.) Execute an agreement with the California Department of Social Services for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to provide child care services through the Alternative Payment Program.
ii.) Execute future amendments to the agreement with the California Department of Social Services for changes to revenue that do not increase county costs or significantly alter program requirements.
C) Accept the findings from the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Child Care Program Self-Assessment.
end
Executive Summary:
The Human Services Department (HSD) requests that the Board adopt two resolutions: the first authorizes the HSD Director to apply for funding opportunities offered through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and the second authorizes the HSD Director to execute funding agreements from the California Department of Social Services to continue the long-standing subsidized Alternate Payment Program for child care. Additionally, the HSD requests that the Board accept the findings of the self-assessment of the subsidized child care program, as required by the funder.
Discussion:
The Human Services Department (HSD) Family, Youth and Children’s Services (FYC) division provides services to families with active child welfare cases, as well as an array of child abuse prevention services to support families prior to or as a diversion from formal involvement with the child welfare system. The division implements a variety of programming including the Redwood Children’s Center and a child care subsidy program specifically for families and caregivers involved in a child welfare case.
Redwood Children’s Center Application for California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Funding and Services
The Redwood Children’s Center (RCC) is available to any child or teen, or any adult with developmental disabilities, who is the victim of sexual abuse, exploitation, physical abuse, or a witness to a violent crime. RCC is an accredited Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and is the coordination hub for investigation and intervention services for victims of sexual and physical abuse or assault in Sonoma County. In addition to providing forensic interviews, RCC staff coordinate an array of related services for victims including forensic sexual assault exams, advocacy, therapy, and case management services for victims and their families.
Annually, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Victims of Crime Act CAC Program awards funding to develop and support accredited CACs throughout California. RCC has been awarded a $200,000 grant from Cal OES annually for the last several years. Grant funds have historically been used to provide services for child victims and their families, as well as providing professional development opportunities for staff and agency partners.
In order to comply with updated Cal OES requirements, HSD requests that the Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of HSD or designee to apply for grant funds. The resolution confirms the County’s oversight of grant funds and commitment to matching funds up to 25% of the grant award. Matching funds are provided through a state allocation for work with Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC), and that allocation is approximately $275,000 annually. The resolution provides delegated authority in all areas related to the grant application and implementation, including extensions, modifications and amendments. The resolution remains in effect until it is revoked or modified through Board action.
Designated Authority to Execute the Alternative Payment Child Care Contract
The Alternative Payment Program (APP) offers twenty-four months of child care subsidies to all eligible families involved with child welfare services. Funding has been received annually since 1974 and funds are administered through a contract with APP.
Child care subsidies are provided to child welfare clients with an active family maintenance or family reunification case who need child care in order to meet the requirements of their case plan goals. In order to comply with California Department of Social Services (CDSS) requirements, HSD requests adoption of a resolution giving the HSD Director authority to sign the contract for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027. While the new contract amount is not yet specified, the contract will be received later this fiscal year and CDSS has asked that the resolution be done in advance.
Summary of FY 2024-2025 Alternative Payment Program Self-Assessment Review
In order to comply with the contractual requirements with CDSS for the child care program, the Board must be made aware of program goals, formal program reviews, results, and corrective actions taken.
Beyond providing financial assistance for child care, the program has a goal of increasing parental understanding of and involvement in a child’s child care experience by providing resources about child care and childhood development to parents and resource families. HSD partners with the Community Child Care Council (4Cs) to provide individualized education and assistance to help parents and caregivers find quality child care that meets their specific family needs regarding location, hours, and program type.
Another goal of the APP is to build effective community partnerships to help families transition to long-term subsidized child care. FYC staff work collaboratively with other child care agencies to raise awareness of the needs of families involved with child welfare. FYC staff add families to the Centralized Eligibility List (a waiting list for all state and federally funded child care programs in Sonoma County) and provide information and referrals to help families access long-term affordable child care.
Staff complete an annual self-assessment of the APP using CDSS developed tools to monitor program and fiscal operations. A team of six program and fiscal leadership staff participated in the annual review in February 2025. The team reviewed files for fourteen children, representing 64% of the children who received services for the month of November 2024. A parent survey was also completed. Areas of review included attendance, completion of required application documents, Notice of Action forms, correspondence with families, updated emergency information, and parent satisfaction. The program was compliant in all 33 items reviewed and no corrective action was required. Overall, parents were very satisfied with the program and the child care available, and they felt the support helped their children thrive.
Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
Accepted CalOES funding for the CAC annually since 2018
Accepted funding for the APP and the findings from prior self-assessments annually since 2019
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
No Fiscal Impacts
Staffing Impacts:
None.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
No Staffing Impacts
Attachments:
1. Resolution Authorizing Application for Funding through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
2. Resolution Accepting Funding from the California Department of Social Services for the Child Care Subsidy Program
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.