BACKGROUND:
Wayfinder Family Services (Contractor) provides the Kinship Support Services Program for East Contra Costa County resulting from Request for Proposal (RFP) 1175. The Kinship Support Services Program provides community-based family support services to relative caregivers and the dependent children placed in their homes by the juvenile court as well as for those who are at risk of dependency or delinquency, which includes providing post-permanency services to relative caregivers who have become the legal guardian or adoptive parent of formerly dependent children. The Contractor provides multiple support services for relative and non-relative caregivers including enhanced post guardianship services, site based mentoring, case management, support groups, enhanced academic achievement programs for youth and young adults, recreational/group activities, respite, emergency assistance and educational forums. The goal of the kinship program is to support positive outcomes and reduce the risk of dependency and delinquency.
The Contractor was awarded the East County Kinship contract resulting from RFP1175 in 2021. Previous contracts and amendments for these services with the contractor have been authorized by the Board of Supervisors on September 13, 2022 (C.88) for FY22/23 (amendment), June 21, 2022 (C.88) for FY22/23, and on June 22, 2021 (C.76) for FY21/22. This is the final year of the contract at which point a new RFP is expected to be issued.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Services will not be provided to support relative caregivers in successfully raising their kin, increase positive outcomes for at-risk youth, and prevent the removal of children from extended family when the biological parents are unable to provide care.
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 providing family support, stability, and safety of children, thereby preventing out-of-home placement.