To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: CFS - Contract #20-500-2 Wayfinder Family Services
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Wayfinder Family Services, in an amount not to exceed $972,400 to provide family finding, engagement and resource family pre-approval supportive services for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$972,400, 87% State, 13% Federal funds, all of which is budgeted in FY 25-26.
BACKGROUND:
On August 1, 2023, the Board approved item C.50 authorizing a contract with Wayfinder Family Services for a term of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. On June, 25, 2024, the Board approved item C.77 authorizing a contract with Wayfinder Family Services for a term of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. This contract will renew the prior approved contract for a term of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 to provide family finding, engagement and resource family pre-approval supportive services for foster youth.
The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), Children and Family Services (CFS) Bureau selected Wayfinder (Contractor) from the competitive procurement Request for Proposal (RFP) #1197 in May 2023.
The purpose of family findings and engagement and resource family pre-approval supportive services is to provide permanency focused outreach, engagement, family finding, resource family pre-approval assessments and associated activities to secure supports, lifelong connections and ideally permanent placement for foster youth.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This contract supports all of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of 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”.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will not provide Contra Costa County foster youth with supportive services to identify, approve and transition into appropriate stable permanent placements.