County proposes $800,000 set‑aside for Family Resource Center while seeking nonprofit operator

Danny told the board the county intends to set aside about $800,000 in revenue to support Family Resource Center (FRC) operations while the county issues an RFP to identify a nonprofit operator and determine ongoing costs and service expectations. He said the set-aside is intended to "give them time and funding for them to dial in what do we actually need to operate" and to avoid immediate levy impact.

Commissioners emphasized the need for measurable outcomes in any RFP and requested an ROI (return-on-investment) study. Staff said Skyway is expected to deliver an ROI analysis in July or August that will evaluate the county's investment and show whether the FRCs are producing a return, while noting such studies may not establish strict causation between individual programs and outcomes.

The board discussed the role of nonprofit partners and the county's expectation that a nonprofit must contribute resources as part of any operating model. Staff said the set-aside approach is being used to "feather in" support for an operator and to allow time to define required outcomes, such as cultural navigation and connections to county services.

Staff asked commissioners whether they remain bullish on prevention investments that drive down child-protection caseloads; several commissioners said early indicators are positive and that reducing out-of-home placements saves more than those prevention services cost. Staff will include the FRC outcomes language in the RFP and return with more details in upcoming "Scott delivers" presentations.