Agenda

Return

C. 68

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Date:	March 21, 2023

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Child Welfare Supportive Service Payments

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/21/2023

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
Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

N. Hager (925) 608-4966

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: March 21, 2023
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller to issue payment on behalf of Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) Children and Family Services (CFS) Bureau for placement costs not payable through the CalSAWS process and incurred when a youth comes under the supervision, care, custody and control of the County.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The costs incurred are included in the annual EHSD Budget and claimable to State Child Welfare Realigned programs: funding is 70% State 2011 Realignment and 30% County and Complex Care Child Specific funding allocations which are 100% State General Fund. The annual expenditure will not exceed the appropriations in the annual budget unless revenue adjustments and expenditure appropriations are approved.

BACKGROUND:

In accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC): 362(a), 361.2(3) and 305(a) (b), the Children and Family Services Bureau (CFS) within EHSD is mandated to investigate child abuse and to serve youth in Foster Care. Per this code, Contra Costa County and CFS workers assume supervision, care, custody and control of youth. While under this supervision, the EHSD worker assesses the basic needs of the youth and determines the appropriate placement setting.

The Continuum of Care Reform and its changes to foster care placement types has unfortunately resulted in an overall reduction of available beds, especially in high level placements. In just the past year, Short Term Residential Treatment Program (STRTP) bed capacity has been reduced by 1,112 beds, in addition to previous reductions based on Group Home closures and unsuccessful conversions to STRTPs. The reduction in approved placements and beds has led to a need to utilize placement options that are not always eligible for standard foster care payment rates. These placements are needed and utilized when all other placement options have been exhausted and when they are absolutely necessary in order to provide a safe and stable placement for the youth. Payment amounts range from approximately $5,000 for additional supports for a relative caregiver or group home to $45,000 for payments to alternative placements and facilities with an approved Innovative Model of Care (IMC) Rate from California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Payments are being tracked and monitored at both the program and the fiscal level within CFS to ensure they are only used when needed and utilizing all available funding sources.

Approved IMC rates and other payment arrangements with non-foster care placements and specialized care providers cannot be issued via CalWIN or CalSAWS. The current system, CalWORKs Information Network, CalWIN, includes the ability to process these payments on behalf of EHSD clients; under the new Statewide System, California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) implemented in February 2023, this feature will no longer be available. Reimbursable costs may include placement costs for high needs youth that are not accepted to regular foster care placements or Short-Term Residential Treatment Programs due to various behaviors including but not limited to destruction of property, aggression or self-harm. Total annual payment amount estimated at $500,000.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, Contra Costa County EHSD CFS Bureau could not provide for the essential needs of youth under their supervision, care, custody and control and a youth who is endangered would not have the basic necessities of life that are needed at a critical time. Failure to provide the essential support would be a violation of court orders and may further compromise the safety and well-being of a youth.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Children and Family Services Bureau of EHSD supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes by providing support for children in care:

Children Ready for and Succeeding in School
Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood
Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient
Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing
Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families