TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services Agency
REPORT BY: Jennifer Ivancie, Staff Services Analyst I
SUBJECT: Agreement No. 250004B with Expressions of Hope
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250004B with Expressions of Hope for a contract maximum of $185,953 per fiscal year for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and each subsequent renewal to administer the County’s Kinship Support Services Program. (Fiscal Impact: $185,953 Expense; Health and Human Services Agency Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
Expressions of Hope (EOH) will continue the administration of the County's Kinship Support Services Program (KSSP) by providing the following: outreach to promote KSSP within Napa County and engage existing and new kinship families; concrete resources for Child Welfare Services (CWS) families and any KSSP family in the community who is referred by a partner agency; mentoring to newly approved resource parents by connecting them with a seasoned resource parent to obtain support; providing support groups and mentoring services for adoptive parents, caregivers, and children/youth; intake and assessment services to assist families in identifying and prioritizing their needs; case management to provide families with short-term interventions based on the individualized needs of the family; assistance with emergency needs and crisis support for kinship families as needed to stabilize the home environment; family activities and networking by coordinating and facilitating activities and social events for kin caregivers and their families; psychoeducational groups for children/youth and caregivers in Spanish and English; transportation and respite care; and collaboration with Family Resource Centers (FRCs) across Napa County to ensure kin caregivers are aware of resources available and to document kin caregiver’s needs and services received.
EOH has been serving the population of foster, adopted, and Kinship families since 2005 by providing essential resources, building community and offering connection, so that each child feels valued, loved and supported by someone who understands what they are going through. Additionally, EOH has become a known resource throughout the community where community based organizations, schools, county agencies, and community members reach out to get emergency and concrete needs met for families.
Ultimately, the approval of this agreement will provide in-depth work with families, which will improve outcomes of children reaching and sustaining permanency and improve outcomes for children and teens to decrease rates of drug abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and teenage pregnancy. The need for KSSP in our community is great and approval of this agreement will provide needed support in the County’s efforts to move these families towards best possible outcomes.
A formal Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued for these services that had previously been administered by another contractor and Expressions of Hope is the recipient of this award.
Expressions of Hope is a local vendor.
Requested Action:
Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250004B with Expressions of Hope for a contract maximum of $185,953 per fiscal year for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and each subsequent renewal
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Health & Human Services Child Welfare Services |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
While there is no mandate to contract with this vendor, the services provided further CWS goals to clients in the community. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations have been included in the requested Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget and future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
KSSP services will not be available to reach into the community to facilitate the uniting of children and youth with relative caregivers. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.