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
Approval of Funding Allocations for Transitional-Aged Foster Youth and Mutual Indemnification Language for Agreements in Child Welfare Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Department to accept funding as follows:
i) $159,934 in new funding as well as additional future funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program for transitional age foster youth.
ii) $432,987 in new funding as well as additional future funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Transitional Housing Program for transitional age foster youth.
B) Authorize the Director of the Human Services Department to execute an amendment to the agreement with the Child Parent Institute for Resource Family Training to change the indemnification language in existing contract.
C) Authorize the Director of the Human Services Department to execute a no-cost agreement with the Santa Rosa Health Center that includes mutual indemnification language and coordinates the provision of follow-up medical services to victims of abuse or domestic violence.
end
Executive Summary:
The Human Services Department requests Board approval of two recurring allocations to continue housing services for transitional age foster youth, as well as approval of modified indemnification language for the contract that provides mandated training to resource families. Additionally, Human Services is seeking Board approval to enter into a new no-cost agreement that includes mutual indemnification language with the Santa Rosa Health Center to provide follow-up medical services to victims of abuse or domestic violence.
Discussion:
Allocations for Housing Services for Transitional Age Foster Youth
The Human Services Department (HSD) requests Board approval to accept additional funding from the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). Board of Supervisor approval is required by the HCD to accept the funding. This funding will maintain existing housing services for exiting and former foster youth. This multi-year funding from two allocations totals $592,921 and must be expended by June 30, 2027.
The Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program allocation is $159,934 and will continue to be used to support exiting and former foster youth ages 18-24 who are seeking housing. HSD will continue to contract with Individual & Family Support Network to provide youth with housing location and case management services, as well as direct financial assistance, in order to overcome barriers and find safe and stable housing. Previous allocations are sufficient to fund the program through June 2026; this new allocation will be utilized to continue the program through Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027.
The Transitional Housing Program (THP) allocation is $432,987 and will continue to be provided to TLC Child & Family Services (TLC) to provide the Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus). Through this contracted service, former foster youth ages 18-24 live in transitional housing for up to three years while being supported by TLC staff. Youth participate in case management, workshops and individual coaching to develop life and work-related skills and are assisted to secure permanent housing at program exit.
Prior THP allocations are sufficient to continue funding the THP-Plus program through June 2026; this new allocation will be utilized to continue the program through FY 2026-2027.
In the event that it becomes available, HSD requests that the Board authorize the Director of HSD to accept additional funding through these allocations.
Child Parent Institute (CPI) Resource Family Training
The Human Services Department is seeking authorization to amend the agreement with the Child Parent Institute (CPI) for the Resource Family Training Program for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. Resource family training is a mandated service of county child welfare agencies and is critical for preparing and supporting caregivers that care for foster children. Under this agreement, CPI provides training services that prepare caregivers to become resource families and provides ongoing training to ensure that resource families have the skills and understanding needed to care for foster children and youth. “Resource family” is an umbrella term that includes foster, kinship and adoptive families. Resource families provide critical homes for foster children and youth that span a continuum of care from short-term, transitional placements to longer-term care.
As an update to the current agreement, CPI is seeking indemnification from the County, an action which requires an amendment to the contract and specific approval from the Board. The amendment has been reviewed by Counsel, who concurs with the recommendation to amend the agreement.
CPI is making this request per guidance from the Nonprofit Insurance Alliance of California (NIAC). NIAC will not renew CPI’s coverage without this adjustment to the agreement.
Agreement with Santa Rosa Community Health Center (SRHC)
The Redwood Children’s Center (RCC) is establishing a partnership with Santa Rosa Health Center (SRHC) to provide follow up care to victims of abuse or domestic violence that have no other means for securing ongoing care related to their recovery. SRHC will provide medical follow-up, evaluation and other related medical services. RCC developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SRHC to formalize the partnership, and although execution of this agreement would typically fall under department director authority, SRHC is requesting mutual indemnification language that requires Board approval. The agreement has been reviewed by Counsel, who concurs with the recommendation that the Board approve executing the agreement.
Strategic Plan:
Not applicable.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
01/07/2025, 01/30/2024, 01/24/2023, 09/21/2022, 01/25/2022, 09/22/2020: Adopted a resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Department to accept funding for the THP and HNMP programs from the Housing and Community Development Department.
06/03/2025: Approved the contract with Child Parent Institute.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$592,921 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$0 |
$592,921 |
$0 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
$592,921 |
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$0 |
$592,921 |
$0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
HSD is not requesting additional appropriations for FY 2025-2026. $159,934 in funding for the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program and $432,987 in funding for Transitional Housing Program-Plus totals $592,921 in new funding that will be available upon execution of the award, through June 30, 2027. HSD expects to expend these funds starting July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and the funding will be included in the HSD budget for FY 2026-2027.
Staffing Impacts:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
There are no staffing impacts.
Attachments:
1. Resolution for Foster Youth Housing Allocations
2. Allocation Acceptance Forms for Foster Youth Housing
3. Amendment to the Contract with Child Parent Institute for Resource Family Training
4. Agreement with Santa Rosa Health Center
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
There are no items “on file” with the Clerk of the Board.