To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Nick Honey, 707-565-4343 and Meg Easter-Dawson, 707-565-8383
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
4-2-19 Valley of the Moon Children’s Center Clinician
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Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Authorize the Human Services Department Director to execute an agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies for $125,580 to provide a clinician at Valley of the Moon Children’s Center (VMCC) who will provide on-site therapeutic support for youth at the shelter, support their transition to their next placement, and coordinate ongoing services for the period of April 8, 2019, through April 7, 2020.
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Executive Summary:
This item authorizes the execution of a contract with the Seneca Family of Agencies to provide a clinician at Valley of the Moon Children’s Center (VMCC). An identified clinician will provide direct therapeutic services to youth that do not qualify for specialty mental health services through the Department of Health Services Behavioral Health Division or do not currently have a clinician supporting them. Clinical support services are an integral part of VMCC’s plan accepted by the California Department of Social Services to support its transition to a trauma-informed 10-day shelter. Clinical services are a key component to ensuring VMCC has the ability to support and address the complex trauma of the youth coming into emergency shelter care. Funding has been received from the Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation for this contract for 1 year.
Discussion:
The Human Services Department is focused on implementing changes based on Continuum of Care Reform (AB 403). With the support of the State legislature, Continuum of Care Reform intends for all children to live with a committed, permanent, and nurturing family. AB 403 puts Continuum of Care Reform into California law with the goal of returning children back home or to a less restrictive, family-based setting as soon as possible. Additionally, AB 403 creates faster paths to permanency resulting in shorter durations of involvement in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and reducing the use of group home (congregate care) placement settings.
VMCC, with technical assistance from the International Trauma Centers, has designed a clinical track to support all foster youth in emergency shelter care to respond to the directives for County-run Shelters to provide comprehensive medical, developmental and mental health assessments during the 10-day stay, provide trauma-informed care services and interventions, and crisis intervention services as a result of the AB 403 legislation. Key to providing these services is a two-pronged clinical track with Behavioral Health assessing and serving youth with the highest needs that qualify for specialty mental health services coupled with an additional on-site clinician providing trauma informed therapeutic interventions to the remaining youth in the shelter.
Every child who is welcomed to VMCC has experienced some level of trauma, including the removal from their home, and deserve and need skilled therapeutic intervention to support their self-regulation, stabilization and transition to their next family setting. The contracted clinician position will provide direct, immediate services for youth if they do not meet Medi-Cal guidelines for specialty mental health services. It will bridge a gap in our system of care where youth that do not qualify for specialty mental health services are not provided intervention or prevention support services through Behavioral Health that would benefit them or are referred to a waitlist for a community provider that can only support them at some point in the future. This position ensures there is no delay in services so that youth have the stability to continue their trauma or behavioral support treatment once they leave VMCC and help them to thrive in their new living environment.
The County has met with Engineers and Scientists of California Local 20 regarding the VMCC clinical services contract with Seneca Family of Agencies. We agreed to explore more permanent funding for these therapeutic service in future years. All parties have agreed to the clinical services contract moving forward.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 18-19 Adopted |
FY19-20 Projected |
FY 20-21 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
31,395 |
94,185 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
31,395 |
94,185 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
31,395 |
94,185 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
31,395 |
94,185 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
$125,580 in funding has been provided by the Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation for the clinical services contract for 2 years. The FY 2018-19 portion of the contract will be accommodated in the current budget without need for further appropriation. The FY 2019-20 recommended budget will include the second year amount. No General Fund is required.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Contract
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None