HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - J. RYDINGSWORD

Approve Out of Country Travel for up to two County Staff to travel to Mexico for Child Welfare Cases during the Fiscal Year 2016-2017, as ordered by the Court.

SBC FILE NUMBER: 130

County Policy requires Board approval for out-of-state/country travel that is required for an employee to perform his or her work.  This is a request for approval of travel to take place during the current fiscal year for up to two Child Protective Services (CPS) staff to travel out-of-state/country for purposes supporting family reunification efforts between San Benito County dependent children and their parents.   CPS currently has three cases wherein the San Benito County dependent children are in process of reunification with parents living in Mexico.  Visitation between the parents and their children is instrumental in the reunification process.  There is no Interstate Compact of the Placement of Children (ICPC) agreements with Mexico, however, we do have a board approved MOU with the Mexican Consulate approved on 1/20/2015 in which the Agency collaborates closely with the Mexican Consulate to ensure reasonable services are provided to the children and/or parents of Mexican nationality.  The Mexican Consulate also serves as the liaison between Mexican Child Welfare Authorities, and ensures effective coordination of services and collaboration.  Current court orders require visitation to take place in an effort to provide the children with permanency and with the goal of eventual reunification with their parents.