To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Social Services
Meeting Date: July 29, 2025
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Department Contact: |
DeNeese Parker |
Phone: |
707-463-7761 |
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Department Contact: |
Waldi Helma |
Phone: |
707-467-5815 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Approval of Retroactive Agreement with California Department of Social Services, California-Child and Family Services Review in the Amount of $156,519 per Fiscal Year, for a total contract of $782,595, to Provide Case Review and Quality Assurance in Accordance with 45 C.F.R. 1355.34(c) and California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10601.2(a) for Family and Children’s Services, Effective in Fiscal Years 2025/2026 through 2029/2030
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Approve retroactive Agreement with California Department of Social Services , California-Child and Family Services Review in the amount of $156,519 per fiscal year, for a total contract of $782,595, to provide Case Review and Quality Assurance in accordance with 45 C.F.R. 1355.34(c) and California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10601.2(a) for Family and Children’s Services, effective in fiscal years 2025/2026 through 2029/2030; authorize the Social Services Director or designee to sign any future amendments to the Agreement that do not increase the maximum amount, and authorize the Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
In accordance with 45 C.F.R. 1355.34(c) and California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10601.2(a), local county child welfare agencies are responsible for implementing a qualitative case review process and required to complete a review of randomly sampled cases based on caseload size.
According to All County Letter (ACL) 24-03, counties that complete 20 or fewer case reviews per year have the option to contract with California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for case reviews services and/or quality assurance (QA). CDSS selected Mendocino County for this contract to support Family and Children’s Services (FCS) in meeting the mandate.
Over the past years, Family and Children’s Services (FCS) has had ongoing staffing challenges. Staff assigned to case reviews and quality assurance must go through extensive training and a rigorous state certification process. Ideally, they should have an in-depth knowledge of child welfare; however, staff cannot be involved in any form with the case, e.g. case carrying, processing fiscal claim reimbursements, or transportation of clients.
This contract will meet the federal and state mandates for case reviews and quality assurance. It also will satisfy the Grand Jury’s findings to improve Quality Assurance for Mendocino County child welfare practice. CDSS will and share outcomes and areas for improvement with FCS providing opportunities for change.
Due to staffing constraints, Mendocino County has not met the mandated case reviews per Federal Fiscal Year (FFY). In the past when Mendocino County was able to get close to meeting the required amount of case reviews, Mendocino County overspent the allocation. The total contract amount of $782,595 is for five years; $159,519.00 per fiscal year, which is divided annually by $78,259.50 State General Funds that will be claimed and reimbursed and $78,259.50 county match covered through 1991 Realignment.
This is a retractive Agreement starting 7/1/25. CDSS initiated the contract process and sent the final version to FCS on June 19th, 2025. To meet the mandates, CDSS must start the process of case review July 1st, 2025.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Return to staff for alternative handling.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Safe and Healthy County
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: State General Fund and 1991 Realignment |
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current f/y cost: $156,519 |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: $156,519 |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): Yes |
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revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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