REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  June  27, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-16.

SUBJECT:

Second Amendment with Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Melissa Janulewicz, Branch Director, HHSA Regional Services, (530) 225-5450

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Melissa Janulewicz, Branch Director, HHSA Regional Services

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an amendment, effective date of signing, to the agreement with Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc. for Cal-Learn case management services to modify and add contract language, extend the term through June 30, 2018, and increase the maximum compensation for Fiscal Year 2017-18 by $17,232 (from $81,250 to $98,482) for a new maximum compensation in an amount not to exceed $602,232 for the entire term of the agreement.

SUMMARY

This amendment will modify provisions and attachments, add a new provision at the County’s request (County’s Right of Setoff), extend the term of the agreement for an additional six months, and increase maximum compensation overall from $585,000 to $602,232.

DISCUSSION

Research has shown a strong connection between teenage parenting and long-term welfare dependency. The Cal-Learn program was established to address the unique educational, vocational training, health, and other social service needs of pregnant or parenting teens to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Statewide statistics demonstrate that pregnant and parenting teens who receive Cal-Learn services are more likely to obtain their high school diploma or pass the General Education Development (GED) examination, which makes them more competitive in the job market, enables them to continue their education past high school, and leads to economic self-sufficiency and independence from government aid.

The California Department of Social Services mandates Cal-Learn services be provided as part of the CalWORKs program and requires coordination of Cal-Learn services with those provided through the Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP).  As the only AFLP provider in Shasta County, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc. (NVCSS) has adequately provided these services as part of the CalWORKs program since 1998.  With the approval of this amendment NVCSS will continue to provide Cal-Learn services through June 2018.  The original agreement was approved by the Board on June 24, 2014 and was amended, as approved by the Board, on June 28, 2016 to revise contract responsibilities, decrease compensation for Fiscal Years (FY) 2014-15 and 2016-17, extend the term through December 31, 2017, and increase overall maximum compensation by $48,750. During the period of May 2016 through April 2017, 22 pregnant or parenting teens were referred for Cal-Learn program services through NVCSS, and 21 financial rewards were issued to those meeting and/or exceeding the educational guidelines pursuant to Cal-Learn policy. Also for this same period, of the nine high school graduation (HSG) eligible participants or participants who took the GED test, all nine received their HSD or GED certificate. Four of the pregnant or parenting teens referred to Cal-Learn during the period of May 2016 through April 2017 experienced a subsequent pregnancy while in the program and two went on to enroll in post-secondary education.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve the amendment.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the amendment as to form. Risk Management has approved the amendment. This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

This agreement is funded through the Cal-Learn portion of the CalWORKs Single Allocation and requires a County share of cost, which is applied to the required CalWORKs Maintenance of Effort. Sufficient appropriation authority to support this agreement was included in the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget. Additional budget authority will be requested in future fiscal years as appropriate.  There is no additional General Fund impact with approval of the recommendation.