Take the following actions to implement the Foster Parent and Relative Caregiver Recruitment, Retention and Support Program (Program):  (1) Adopt a resolution which authorizes the Chief Probation Officer to make purchases for goods and services necessary to carry out the obligations of the Program; (2) adopt a salary resolution which, effective December 25, 2016, amends the Shasta County Position Allocation List to add 1.0 Full-Time Equivalent Deputy Probation Officer I/II, with a sunset date of June 30, 2017, to carry out the obligations of the Program; and (3) approve a budget amendment increasing appropriation and revenue by $189,212 in the Probation Department budget for the Program including the addition of  a new fixed asset vehicle necessary to carry out the obligations of the Program. (Page 166)

The Shasta County Probation Department submitted a plan to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for the Foster Parent and Relative Caregiver Recruitment, Retention and Support (FPRRS) Program, which was approved on October 26, 2016. These recommendations will allow for the Probation Department to fulfill the obligations of the Program.

AB 403 is a comprehensive reform effort to make sure that youth in foster care have their day-to-day physical, mental, and emotional needs met; that they have the greatest chance to grow up in permanent and supportive homes; and that they have the opportunity to grow into self-sufficient, successful adults. This effort is also referred to as the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) initiative. To enhance caregiver recruitment in anticipation of the implementation of the CCR initiative funding was provided to county welfare and probation departments for the recruitment of new foster family home caregivers in the form of the FPRRS grant. This was necessary to accommodate the number of children that will shift from group care to foster family homes. Allowable uses for the funding include: staffing to provide and improve direct services and supports to caregivers, remove any barriers defined as priorities in the county implementation plan and developing reports on outcomes; costs for exceptional child needs not covered by the caregiver-specific rate that would normalize the child’s experience, stabilize the placement, or enhance the child’s well-being; intensive relative finding, engagement, and navigation efforts; and emerging technological, evidence-informed, or other nontraditional outreach approaches to potential caregivers. On August 31, 2016, the Probation Department submitted a plan to the CDSS to establish eligibility for receipt of FPRRS funding for Fiscal Year 2016/17. This plan was approved on October 26, 2016 for the amount of $189,212.  Included in this plan are activities to recruit new resource families (formerly known as foster families), find extended family members of youth who are willing to be responsible for the youth, and provide support to resource families and other caregivers of youth placed outside of the home to ensure youth’s success in the placement.  The Deputy Probation Officer I/II funded by and assigned to this program will work with local group homes and foster homes to increase the number of youth placed within Shasta County as opposed to placements outside Shasta County, work with placements and youth to increase step down efforts, organize and facilitate recruitment efforts, increase family finding and family engagement efforts, assist resource families with the pre-approval and Resource Family Approval (RFA) process, facilitate permanency efforts, partner with community based organizations, and coordinate foster care outreach and marketing. The vehicle purchased with these funds will be used for transportation to outreach efforts, home visits, trainings, pro-social activities with the youth, and other grant-related activities. Trainings will be provided to Probation staff, resource staff, and community partners related to working with survivors of traumatic experiences which focuses on relationship as healing and on self-care for service providers.  In addition, resources will be provided to potential resource families, existing resource families, and youth to support the potential resource families through the licensing process and ensure the success of the youth while in placement. 

The Board could decide not to approve the recommendation.

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation. Support Services – Personnel Division prepared the salary resolution. County Counsel has approved the resolution as to form. Support Services – Purchasing Division and County Auditor have reviewed the purchasing resolution. 

The Deputy Probation Officer I/II position will be fully funded and has a sunset date of 6/30/2017.  The new vehicle will replace an aging vehicle in the Probation Department; therefore, Probation will absorb any ongoing costs related to the new vehicle once these grant funds have been exhausted.  There is no additional General Fund impact associated with approval of the recommendation.