To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Click or tap here to enter text.Contract # 19-826-7 (CFS) Amendment with California State University, Fresno Foundation
☒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 amendment with California State University, Fresno Foundation, a Non-Profit Corporation, to amend the billing structure to provide additional Grievance Hearing Officer Services for Children and Family Services with no change in the payment limit of $994,240 or term ending June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
In July 2024, the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) renewed a contract #19-826-6 with the California State University (CSU), Fresno Foundation to provide Foster Care Title IV-E staff training, Consultant Facilitator Services to support the Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Program as well as California Department of Social Services (CDSS) mandated Grievance Hearing Officer services.
As of May 1, 2008, CDSS requires all California Counties to provide for Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) grievance hearings in Child Welfare services in response to a settlement decision reached in the Gomez v. Saenz lawsuit. EHSD Children and Family Services (CFS) contracts with CSU Fresno to provide a qualified, eligible, child welfare knowledgeable, pool of grievance officers to conduct and preside over review hearings. There are specific requirements for eligible grievance officers. In addition, part of the grievance hearing obligation requires the availability of additional grievance officers, including in situations where a grievance officer needs to withdraw (e.g., due to conflict of interest), or is unavailable to hear the grievance and prepare the proposed decision. The hearings vary in length. The availability of eligible grievance officers to preside over Contra Costa County CACI grievance hearings has declined in recent years.
Through this amendment, EHSD is agreeing to modify the payment provisions to increase the availability of additional qualified candidates to serve as grievance hearing officers. The changes include modifying the existing daily rate of $1100 per hearing day (with an additional $300 per additional hearing day) to an hourly rate not to exceed $175 per hour. The hourly rate will be based on the designated officer’s experience and qualifications.
In exchange for the mutually-agreed upon change in the billing structure and other amendments to clarify how the services are performed, EHSD anticipates improved and more efficient billing, which will link services to the hours needed for a hearing. Further, this amendment will result in an enhanced quality in overall service provided by CSU Fresno as the agency will be able to reach additional qualified and interested grievance hearing officer candidates. Having additional qualified candidates will better serve EHSD and its clients, particularly with respect to the ability to provide back-up grievance hearing officers where required. This amendment will enable the contracted services to better align with industry standards, and ensure that a qualified pool of grievance hearing officers are available to conduct and preside over Contra Costa County CFS CACI hearings in accordance with the State mandates.
The Board of Supervisors approved prior agreements with CSU Fresno on June 25, 2024 (C.62), June 22, 2021 (C.102) and June 13, 2023 (C.129).
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will experience a lack of resources to provide State mandated Grievance Hearing Officer services and not be in compliance with Child Welfare program mandates and initiatives.
CHILDREN’S IMPACE 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 and supportive services to support these outcomes.