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Approve a first contract amendment with Solano Family & Children’s Services for $150,000 for a total contract amount of $1,290,000 to provide family navigation services, linkages to community resources, and additional developmental screenings to children ages 0-5 and their families through the Help Me Grow Solano program with a term expiring June 30, 2026; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the amendment
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
First 5 Solano recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a first contract amendment with Solano Family & Children’s Services for $150,000 for a total contract amount of $1,290,000 to provide family navigation services, linkages to community resources, and additional developmental screenings to children ages 0-5 and their families through the Help Me Grow Solano program with a term expiring June 30, 2026; and
2. Authorize the County Administrator to execute the amendment.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
First 5 Solano funds local community organizations, governmental agencies, and school districts that offer programs and services aligned with the Strategic Plan Priority areas of Health and Well-Being, Early Childhood Learning and Development, Family Support and Parent Education, and Systems Change. The First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission is dedicated to catalyzing change that strategically advances innovative, prevention-focused approaches across systems that improve the lives of young children and their families. To achieve this mission, the Commission utilizes a strategic planning process to develop its priorities, goals, results expected, and program or initiative areas to be funded. The Commission also relies on its Long-Term Financial Plan and Program Investment Plan to allocate funds and establish services.
Under the Priority Area of Health and Well-Being, in 2016 the First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission allocated funding to Solano Children and Family Services (SFCS) to incorporate the Help Me Grow Solano program, a national model to ensure communities identify vulnerable children, establish links to community-based services, and empower families to support their child’s healthy development. In 2023, the funding was again allocated to SFCS through a Request for Proposals. SFCS continues to provide services in that capacity, including staffing a centralized call line, linkages to community resources and developmental screenings.
This amendment allocates an additional $150,000 through FY2025/26 funding from Child Welfare Services (H&SS-CWS) to hire an additional family navigator to provide family navigation, linking families to resources in Solano County, developmental screenings, and referrals to school districts, early childhood mental health services, and/or the Regional Center for screenings that indicate significant concerns about the child’s development.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The additional funds allocated to this project have been provided by H&SS-CWS, through a block grant, increasing the contract in FY2024/25 by $50,000 and FY2025/26 by $100,000. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose to request clarification or remand the contract back to First 5 Solano for revision. This is not recommended because the contract is necessary to implement the Commission’s Strategic Plan.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Solano County Health and Social Services, Child Welfare Services and County Counsel was involved in the development of the contract amendment.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION