Agenda

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C. 87

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	October 17, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract with Seneca Family of Agencies for Visitation Services to Families Entitled to Reunificaton Services

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/17/2017

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Gina Chenoweth 8-4961

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: October 17, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Seneca Family of Agencies, a non-profit corporation, in an amount not to exceed $311,250, to provide comprehensive visitation services for families referred by Children and Family Services who are entitled to reunification services for the period October 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This contract in the amount of up to $311,250 will be funded 30% by the County General Fund and 70% by the State (Realignment, Protective Services).

BACKGROUND:

This contract is a result of a competitive bid that was awarded to Seneca Family of Agencies (Seneca). The East Bay Visitation Program (EBVP) will allow Children and Family Services (CFS) to follow visitation orders and mandates, utilize visitation as an opportunity to build parental capacity and strengthen family relationships, and increase successful reunification and permanency outcomes for youth in foster care. Seneca will maintain a primary East Bay Visitation Center in Concord with five satellite visitation centers in Antioch, San Leandro, El Sobrante, Crockett, and Fairfield to promote maximum geographic accessibility for children and families referred by Contra Costa County.

Seneca’s provision of visitation centers in the East Bay is rooted in over eight years of experience providing visitation services to San Francisco County youth and families, and their commitment to partner with child welfare departments to eliminate all barriers to family reunification and each child’s right to grow up in a stable, loving, and supportive home.

The EBVP is a collaborative model between Seneca, the City and County of San Francisco, and Contra Costa County. As much as possible, services will align between the two counties. While separate agreements exist between Seneca Family of Agencies and both counties, program and policy decisions will be developed jointly.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Without EBVP services and geographically accessible sites, foster youth would be at risk of experiencing disruptions to receiving high-quality, regular visitation with family.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

This contract supports all five of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: 1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; 2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; 3) "Families that are Economically Self Sufficient"; 4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and 5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families" by promoting sustainable and successful family reunification to build and support strong family relationships.