To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Lutheran Social Services of Northern California Amendment
☒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 Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, to increase the payment limit by $336,000 to a new payment limit not to exceed $516,000 and extend the term through June 30, 2027, to provide additional transitional housing capacity and corresponding supportive services to eligible emancipated transitional aged former foster youth.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% State; of which 51% is budgeted in FY 25-26, and 49% will be budgeted in FY 26-27.
BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa County (CCC) Employment and Human Services (EHSD), Children and Family Services (CFS) is facing a housing shortage for transitional aged former foster youth. This contract amendment with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California supports increased housing capacity and corresponding supportive services for former foster youth that have exited the foster care system ages 18 to 24 inclusive Transitional Age Youth (TAY) in alignment with Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP+) requirements as defined by the California Department of Social Services.
The approval of this amendment with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California will increase THP+ housing capacity within Contractor’s THP+ program from an average of five (5) TAY to seven (7) TAY.
The Board of Supervisors previously approved a contract for these services on April 24, 2023 (C.48), for FY 2023/2025. The current contract with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California was secured as a Single Source vendor in alignment with County procurement requirements outlined in Administrative Bulletin 600.3.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the proposed action not be approved by the Board of Supervisors, the County will not be able to meet the housing and supportive service needs for youth transitioning from foster care to independent living, thereby creating housing insecurities.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The services provided under this contract support all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes: (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 safe housing and supportive services to assist youth while transitioning from foster care to independent living.