Countys SSA presents contracts and intergovernmental agreements report; supervisors direct follow-up on low-utilization contracts and interagency spending

The Countys Social Services Agency (SSA) provided a detailed response on March 27 to questions the Children, Seniors and Family Committee had raised about contracts and intergovernmental agreements, and the committee adopted a motion directing the administration to return with multiple follow-up reports.

The report and committee action George Montes, office of contracts management, told the committee the report addressed four domains: background and requested data elements from an October 2024 briefing, explanations for increases in intergovernmental agreements, an assessment of contract monitoring and policy practices, and the Harvey Rose audit corrective actions.

Key fiscal notes Montes outlined in discussion included sharp increases in a few intergovernmental agreements: a probation-related increase of about $7 million (described as targeted investments meant to prevent youth from entering juvenile justice or child welfare systems) and a technology-related increase of about $47 million attributed to late capture of an agreement. The presentation also summarized contract monitoring processes, invoice reviews, performance metrics and that two Harvey Rose audit corrective actions had been implemented as of March 2024.

Board direction and required follow-ups Committee members discussed contract utilization and transparency. Chair Sylvia Arenas moved a multi-part directive for the administration; Vice Chairperson Young seconded and the motion passed on a roll-call vote. The committee directed the administration to return to the committee with all of the following (summary of the motion adopted): - A report on Department of Family and Children Services contracts with lower utilization rates that analyzes root causes for each programs low use rate. - Options to revise how intergovernmental agreements are documented in county contract data tables so the purpose of spending and when a county department is acting as a vendor are clearer. - A comprehensive report on options for expanding collaboration between SSA and Probation, including programs aimed at preventing children and youth from entering juvenile justice or child welfare systems and information about programs for dually involved youth. - A review of board referrals that were converted into SSA contracts, including the history, scope changes, and metrics used to measure success. - A report on SSA contracts relating to food services (including senior nutrition and culturally specific meals) and the role those contracts play in broader county food-system supports. - A report on gender-based-violence funding and county contracts in that program area.

Timing and next steps Committee members asked administration to coordinate and, where possible, return sooner if related reports were already planned for other board hearings; administration agreed to review overlapping reports and coordinate timing with supervisor offices. The motion directed the administration to bring the consolidated materials back to the committee, with supervisors requesting a target six-month timeline for many items so the committee could evaluate progress more quickly than waiting for an annual cycle.

Public comment and context Public commenters praised the investments in probation and prevention programs, arguing earlier spending helped drive down juvenile hall populations. Tony and community advocates also urged transparent accounting of how contract and grant funding relate to outcomes.

Ending: Committee members said the requested analyses will help the board track whether county contracts are being used effectively and whether county intergovernmental agreements are reported with sufficient clarity. The administration will return with the requested material and begin coordinating overlaps with reports already scheduled to other bodies.