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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 5, 2012 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT: Renewal of Agreement for Social Work Services Between Orange County <br />Schools and Orange County Department of Social Services <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Agreement Nancy Coston, 245 -2800 <br />PURPOSE: To consider renewal of the agreement between the Orange County Schools and <br />the Orange County Department of Social Services for the provision of eight Department of <br />Social Services positions and related supervision to provide social work and case management <br />services in the schools. <br />BACKGROUND: The Orange County Schools system determined a need for additional social <br />workers to expand services to students within the district. The original contract added four <br />positions, in addition to the four employed by the schools, to serve at risk children. In 2005- <br />2006, three additional social workers were added so that all schools had a social worker <br />assigned. With the opening of Gravelly Hill Middle School in FY 2006 -2007, one new worker <br />was requested. Services include identification of family, economic and social issues impacting <br />the ability of students to have successful academic outcomes, provision of counseling to <br />children and families with certain risk factors, and provision of other supportive services to <br />address the identified problems. <br />The Orange County Department of Social Services has as a part of its mission the prevention of <br />abuse and neglect of children as well as the promotion of self - sufficiency and family well- being. <br />The Department has federal Medicaid funding available through a program called At -Risk Case <br />Management to assist certain at -risk families. This particular service requires a local match and <br />service must be provided by employees of a local department of social services. <br />Through a contractual arrangement, Orange County Department of Social Services began <br />providing services to the Orange County Schools in January 2005. The staff are located at the <br />schools although they are employees of the Department of Social Services. The social work <br />positions are contingent on the existence of this agreement and staff members hired into those <br />positions are informed of this contingency. Social work staff are hired, supervised, and trained <br />by the Department of Social Services in regular communication and consultation with <br />