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. 250184B with Expressions of Hope
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250184B with Expressions of Hope for a contract maximum of $398,796 upon approval through June 30, 2025, and each subsequent renewal, for the administration of the Family Urgent Response System. (Fiscal Impact: $398,796 Expense; Health and Human Services Agency Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) implemented a free statewide hotline (Cal-FURS), as well as required local mobile response teams to provide immediate, trauma-informed support to current and former foster youth and their caregivers, known as Family Urgent Response System (FURS). FURS builds upon the Continuum of Care (CoC) Reform and the State’s recent System of Care development. Cal-FURS is staffed by professionals and paraprofessionals, including mental health clinicians and youth and parent peer partners.
For FURS-eligible callers, hotline staff will make a referral to a local county-based mobile response system for an in-person response, when needed and desired, through a warm handoff. These multidisciplinary teams may be composed of trained professionals and peer partners, all of whom will have received specialized training in trauma and the foster care system and are available to provide face-to-face support during critical moments.
Approval of this agreement will allow Expressions of Hope to fully operate FURS in Napa County. They will be available to respond to FURS calls, as appropriate and directed by the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Child Welfare Services (CWS) Division. Trained Expressions of Hope staff will be available to have direct conversations with Resource parents and current/former foster youth and provide onsite support to deescalate any unsafe situation and connect families to the appropriate resources. This service will be available 24 hours a day as needed.
Expressions of Hope is the logical entity to provide this mandated service to current and former foster youth and their caregivers in Napa County. Expressions of Hope is a local provider offering a plethora of services to primarily Resource parents and the community at large. Expressions of Hope has an experienced staff of professionals and paraprofessionals who have years of experience as either Resource parents and/or trainers of Statewide curriculum to Resource parents who care for foster youth. Expressions of Hope is a familiar resource to both the foster youth and Resource parent community of Napa County as it coordinates a mentorship program open to all Resource parents, provides support groups and concrete resources to relative caregivers and hosts quarterly community building events for foster youth and their caregivers. Services are available after hours, on short notice and during times of crisis. The role of FURS response is a natural extension of the existing supports foster youth and caregivers receive from Expression of Hope.
The services provided under this agreement are fully funded through a State allocation from CDSS.
Requested action:
Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250184B with Expressions of Hope for a contract maximum of $398,796 upon approval through June 30, 2025, and each subsequent renewal, for the administration of the Family Urgent Response System.
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 and Human Services Agency Child Welfare Services Division |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations have been included in the approved Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget and future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If this agreement is not approved, the County will be out of compliance with State requirements to respond to FURS calls, to provide immediate help to current and former foster youth and their 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.