HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-03-2008-4cORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 3, 2008
Action Agenda
Item No.~- G_
SUBJECT: Amendment to Current Year Contract with Northers Blue, L.L.P. to Provide DSS
Legal Services for the Remainder of FY2007-08
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Contract Amendment
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy Coston, 245-2800
Denise Shaffer, 968-2000
PURPOSE: To amend the current contract for DSS legal services for the remainder of FY2007-
08.
BACKGROUND: The Department of Social Services (DSS) requires extensive legal
representation particularly related to child welfare cases. All actions related to agency custody
of children, protection orders, adoptions, adult protective service orders and guardianships
require court hearings. There is an increased emphasis on assuring that all child welfare cases
are handled as quickly as possible to assure that children live with permanent safe families.
The law firm of Northers Blue, L.L.P., has provided legal representation for Social Services since
1979. Carol Holcomb of that firm has provided consultation and representation for children and
adult. services at Social Services for over 10 years. Ms. Holcomb has comprehensive
knowledge of juvenile law and Guardianship proceedings and litigates court hearings with skill.
Ms. Holcomb remains on-call after hours to assist staff when the agency must assume
emergency custody of children at night and on weekends. Her knowledge is valued by the DSS
social work staff, the Guardian ad Litem office and the courts.
Social Services files petitions with the court for custody of an average of five children per month
and participates in all court reviews for children in custody. There are additional court actions
necessary to terminate parental rights and pursue adoption, to handle adult guardianship cases,
and to handle the increasing numbers of appeals of child welfare court actions.
The Board of County Commissioners approved the original contract with Northers Blue, L.L.P.
for $141,000 in June of 2007.
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Social Services now estimates that $155,000 will be spent on legal services provided by
Northen Blue, L.L.P. during the current fiscal year, and requests to amend the 2007-08 contract
accordingly. The contract administered by Social Services is impacted by the number of
custody cases, court actions and appeals required to ensure the safety of vulnerable children
and adults. The agency has experienced an increase in the number of children entering foster
care, causing unexpected additional court expenses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The requested amount of $155,000 is a $14,000 increase over the
budgeted amount. Funds to cover these costs have been identified in Social Services line items
within the FY2007-2008 budget. Approximately half of these costs will be paid by state and
federal revenues.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract
amendment with Northen Blue, L.L.P. for Fiscal Year 2007-2008, and authorize the Chair to sign
the contract amendment.
Contract #68-2001
Northen Blue, L.L.P.
CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Orange County Department of Social Services
Fiscal Year Begins Julyl, 2007 Ends June 30, 2008
Contract # 68-2001
Amendment # 2
SECTION I
Agency: Northen Blue L.L.P.
Program: Leal Contract
Effective Period ofthe Contract: July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008
This Contract Amendment amends the contract between the Orange County Department of Social Services (the
"County") and Northen Blue, L.L.P. (the "Contractor"). As provided for under the terms of the contract, the County
and Contractor agree to amend the provision(s) indicated in Section II below.
SECTION II
Justrfication/Change to Contract:
The County shall pay the Contractor in the manner and in the amounts specified in the Contract Documents. The
total amount paid by the County to the Contractor under this contract shall not exceed $155,000. This amount
consists of $155,000 in Federal, State and County funds (CFDA # ), $0 (source of other funds if
applicable).
The total contract amount including any Contractor match shall not exceed $155,000.
SECTION III
All other terms and conditions set forth in the original contract shall remain in effect for the duration of the contract.
The contract specified above is amended by this Contract Amendment effective June 3, 2008.
Contract-Amendment (06/041 Paae 1 of 2
NORTHEN BLUE, L.L.P.
Signature Date
Printed Name Title
ORANGE COUNTY
Contract #68-2001
Northen Blue, L.L.P.
a
Signature Date
Printed Name Title
Signature
Date
Printed Name
Title
This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control
Act. '
Signature of County Finance Officer
Date
Contract-Amendment (06/041 Paae 2 of 2