To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Mental Health Services with A Step Forward Child Abuse Treatment and Training Programs, a Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Corporation
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with A Step Forward Child Abuse Treatment and Training Programs, a Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Corporation, in an amount not to exceed $320,000 to provide mental health services to clients not eligible for Medi-Cal for the period September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
70% State; 30% County General Fund, $160,000 is budgeted in FY 26/27, and $160,000 will be budgeted in FY 27/28.
BACKGROUND:
This action seeks to execute a contract with A Step Forward Child Abuse Treatment and Training Programs, a Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Corporation for the provision of mental health services to clients of Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) who are not eligible for Medi-Cal, as well as non-Medi-Cal reimbursable services determined appropriate and authorized by the EHSD Children and Family Service Bureau (CFS).
This vendor was selected per procurement requirements outlined in Administrative Bulletin 600.3.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This contract supports 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" by providing training to CFS staff to support these outcomes.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will be out of compliance with Child Welfare for court mandated therapy. Also, the continued availability of these specialized services is necessary to support the County's compliance with Child Welfare program requirements and court-ordered service obligations. An interruption in services may impact the County's ability to timely provide court-required assessments, treatment, and related services to CFS-involved children and families, potentially placing the County out of compliance with applicable Child Welfare and court requirements.