Agenda

Return

C. 79

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	June 8, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract with Social Service Staffing & Recruiting, Inc. for Temporary Social Workers

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/08/2021

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:	Antoinette Bailey-Nesbitt 608-4930
cc:	Jan Nelson

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: June 8, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Social Service Staffing & Recruiting, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $400,000 to assist with the projected department need for qualified temporary social workers for clients of Children and Family Services Program, for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This contract will increase expenditures by $400,000 funded as Administrative Overhead with 10% County revenue, 42% State revenue and 48% Federal revenue.

BACKGROUND:

Children & Family Services (CFS) has experienced difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified social workers. Currently, there are 12 vacancies in addition to staff on LOA, FMLA and COVID related absences, resulting in a higher than optimal caseload. Recruitment efforts through Human Resources have produced candidates but not adequate numbers to fill all vacancies. Even when new Social Workers are recruited, they require extensive training to be ready to assume a caseload. Social Service Staffing & Recruiting, Inc. ensures a ready source of temporary, fully qualified social workers to immediately address this situation and ensure child safety. Additionally, social workers obtained through this contractor may become interested in permanent County positions and apply for current vacancies, which would support the Department’s efforts to fill permanent positions with qualified and well-trained applicants familiar with CFS programs, clients and procedures.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Clients in CFS programs may not be served efficiently by qualified social workers when Contra Costa County does not immediately have qualified social workers.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The services provided under this contract support all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes: (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 ensuring children and families in CFS programs are working with qualified staff on a consistent basis.