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. 260047B with Expressions of Hope
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 260047B with Expressions of Hope for the term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, and subsequent automatic renewals, for a contract maximum of $46,997 to provide Resource Family Approval pre-approval training to meet State training requirements. (Fiscal Impact: $46,997 Expense; Health and Human Services Agency Fund; Budgeted; Mandatory)
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BACKGROUND
The Resource Family Approval (RFA) Program was implemented by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to be a new family-friendly and child-centered caregiver approval process that combines elements of the current foster parent licensing, relative approval, and approvals for adoption and guardianship processes and replaces those processes.
The RFA Program is streamlined and eliminates the duplication of existing processes; unifies approval standards for all caregivers, regardless of the child’s case plan; includes a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, home environment check, and training for all families, including relatives; prepares families to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system; and allows seamless transition to permanency.
Expressions of Hope (EOH) will provide high-quality, trauma-informed RFA training following the curriculum provided by Napa County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Child Welfare Services (CWS) Division. Their training style is interactive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive, combining evidence-based practices with real-life experiences to ensure caregivers feel empowered, supported, and fully prepared to navigate the CWS System.
Expressions of Hope is a local vendor and they were awarded this contract as the result of a formal Request for Proposals. These services were previously provided by another vendor. Expressions of Hope also oversees the Kinship Support Services Program (KSSP) through another agreement with HHSA’s CWS and the services provided through these programs complement each other and are well served by EOH’s extensive knowledge of these supports to our community.
Requested action:
1. Approve and authorize Agreement No. 260047B with Expressions of Hope for the term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, and subsequent automatic renewals, for a contract maximum of $46,997 to provide Resource Family Approval pre-approval training to meet State training requirements.
FISCAL 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: |
This agreement contains a provision for automatic annual renewal. Appropriations have been included in the approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget and future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
These mandated services would not be provided and local Resource Families would lack the support and training needed to complete their RFA pre-approval training. |
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.