Agenda

Return

C. 30

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Date:	May 23, 2023

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Youth Allocation

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/23/2023

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:

Tracy Story (925) 608-4960

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: May 23, 2023
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to opt into and accept the noncompetitive allocation in the amount of at least $975,290 from the California Department of Social Services for the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children. The Opt In covers two years from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 and the allocation is an annual allocation from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

FISCAL IMPACT:

100% State Funding. County to receive at least $975,290 from the California Department of Social Services in Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to fund the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children, all of which is already budgeted in FY 2023-2024. (No required match)

BACKGROUND:

The lack of access to child care for potential eligible families seeking to take in a foster child continues to be one of the top barriers to placing young foster children with families. The Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children (Bridge Program) was enacted through Senate Bill 89, (Chapter 24, Statutes of 2017) and implemented in January 2018, to reduce child care barriers for children and parenting youth in the foster care system, their caregiver families, and non-minor dependent parents.

On April 24, 2023 the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) issued a Child Care Bulletin (CCB) announcing the FY 2023-2025 Bridge Program Opt In Notification and FY2023-2024 noncompetitive planning allocation for all fifty-eight (58) counties in the amount of $86.407 million. Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) Children and Family Services (CFS) Bureau has been allocated at least $975,290 based on the planning allocation reflected in CCB No. 23-10, available for expenditure July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Per CCB No. 23-10, final allocation amounts to Counties that Opt In will be released by CDSS through a subsequent CDSS County Fiscal Letter anticipated to be received in late Summer or Fall of 2023.

Funds will be used to provide child care services for foster youth to eligible caregiver families, parenting youth, and non-minor dependent parents. Services include a twelve-month payment (or voucher) for child care with the possibility to extend the voucher beyond the initial twelve months, child care navigator assistance, as well as, trauma-informed care training and coaching to child care providers who care for children in foster care. EHSD CFS will coordinate with the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency to deliver the services.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Without funding, the County will face an increased number of foster youth unable to be placed with eligible families due to lack of access to child care and State funding will be lost.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Funding resulting from this allocation will support 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". This is accomplished by providing supportive services to assist families accept and provide safe housing for youth in foster care.