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
title
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)
body
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 service...
Click here for full text