HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - J. RYDINGSWORD

Approve Contract with Go Kids for Child Care Bridge Program in the Not to Exceed amount of $34,974 for the term of May 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

SBC FILE NUMBER: 130

The Child Care Bridge Program aims to increase the number of foster children successfully placed in home-based family care settings, increase capacity of child care programs to meet the needs of foster children in their care, and maximize funding to support the child care needs of eligible families.

The Bridge Program consists of three components:

1. Emergency child care voucher or payment: Eligible families may receive a time-limited child care voucher or payment to help pay for child care costs for foster children birth through age 12, children with exceptional needs, and severely disabled children up to age 21.

2. Child care navigator: The Contractor will provide a child care navigator to eligible families. The navigator will assist with finding a child care provider, securing a subsidized child care placement if eligible, completing child care program applications, and developing a plan for long-term child care appropriate to the child’s age and needs.

3. Trauma-informed care training and coaching: Child care programs participating in the Bridge Program will receive access to trauma-informed care training. The training includes, but is not limited to, infant and toddler development and research-based, trauma-informed best care practices. Child care providers will also receive access to coaching, through the Contractor, to assist them in applying training curriculum and learn strategies for working with children in foster care.

The funding for this program is through an annual allocation from the State Department of Social Services and is detailed in the attached County Fiscal Letter.  The allocation is in coroporated in the FY2018/2019 budget.