DATE:
May 18, 2021
30
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
REAFIRMING SUPPORT FOR SAN PASQUAL ACADEMY AND OUTLINING IMMEDIATE DIRECTIVES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On March 16, 2021 (12), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to direct staff to request an extension from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for San Pasqual Academy (SPA) through June 30, 2022.
It also directed the Chief Administrative Officer and the Child Welfare Services Director to take every possible action with State and Federal officials to gain a permanent licensing carve out for SPA and to enlist former foster youth, the parents advisory board, service providers and others to consider all options for the future of SPA.
On March 24, 2021, Health and Human Services Director (HHSA) Nick Macchione sent a request to CDSS Director Kim Johnson to extend the MOU through June 30, 2022, to allow the County and CDSS to continue to work with all stakeholders to consider options for the Academy and to ensure a supportive and trauma-informed plan for its students.
On May 3, 2021, CDSS responded to the County of San Diego stating they were willing to grant the requested extension subject to four conditions:
1. The County shall not make new residential placements of foster youth at the SPA upon acceptance of this amendment to the MOU.
2. The County must confirm that required child and family team meeting(s) are occurring for each youth in placement at SPA to assist with the transition planning; specifically, reporting on the status of family finding, engagement and support and permanency planning. The County should consult with each youth's counsel in this planning, and ensure the youth has access to their counsel.
3. The County must arrange for an independent third-party to engage with all youth currently in placement, other stakeholders, dependency counsel, and the courts to obtain an objecti...
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