The board unanimously approved a contract with a vendor to support child‑welfare team capacity, process improvements and temporary workforce support while vacancies are filled, and separately approved a $644,108 HHSA budget amendment to appropriate fund balance for unspent program revenues from fiscal year 2025.

Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director Ira W. said the contract has three components: workforce provision to fill immediate vacancies, process development to improve efficiency, and capacity building for permanency and casework. “Right now we have about 143 children in foster care. We have a team that has, some vacancies on it,” Ira said, explaining the vendor will supply workforce and examine procedures to reduce bottlenecks while recruitment continues.

Finance Director Christian Owen described the $644,108 item as routine rollover of unspent HHSA program revenues — including child support, foster care and adult services — that are calculated after year‑end figures are finalized and carried forward into the new fiscal year. Owen said the amounts were approved last year and this is the unspent portion being rolled forward.

A motion to approve the contract and authorize the county manager to sign related documents passed unanimously. A separate motion to approve the budget amendment also passed unanimously.

Ending: Officials said the investment is intended to stabilize casework, reduce workload strain on existing staff and allow the county to continue required services while recruiting for open positions.