To: James Avery, Governmental Operations Committee
From: Rhonda Ihm, Family Division Administrator
title
RE: Approval of FY24 contract with the Child Advocacy Team
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a contract between Genesee County and the Child Advocacy Team (CAT) in the amount of $690,420 to provide legal services for children who are the subject of child protective and delinquency petitions; the term is from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024; the cost will be paid from accounts 1010-662.00-818.003 ($590,420) and 2910-662.00-818.003 ($100,000).
BACKGROUND:
RFP #21-246 LEGAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN was issued in April 2021. The Child Advocacy Team was the successful bidder, and the County entered an original contract that provided the option to extend the Contract for up to three (3) additional one-year terms.
DISCUSSION:
The Family Division of the 7th Judicial Circuit Court for Genesee County is authorized to appoint legal counsel to represent minor children in court proceedings related to child protective or delinquency proceedings. The scope of work includes representation of minor children in child protective proceedings, to include termination of parental rights proceedings. It also includes representation of minor children in delinquency proceedings, except for those instances when the juvenile is charged with a serious felony and prosecuted as an adult. The services include representation at preliminary hearings, through final disposition and review. On October 1, 2021, the “raise the age” legislation went into effect, returning 17-year-old youth charged with criminal offenses to the jurisdiction of the family division of the circuit court. The legislation is intended to treat individuals who are 17 years of age as juveniles in criminal proceedings rather than automatically treating them as adults. These juveniles are also included in the contractual scope of work.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The cost of the contract between Genesee County and the Child Advocacy Team (CAT) is $690,420 to provide legal services for children who are the subject of child protective and delinquency petitions; the term is from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024; the cost will be paid from accounts 1010-662.00-818.003 ($590,420) which is a general fund account and 2910-662.00-818.003 ($100,000) which is a grant account established to pay 100% of the costs of supporting 17-year-old youth as a result of the “raise the age” legislation. There is a budget amendment in progress in a separate request.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
IMPACT ON INDIRECT COSTS:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The County has identified a major priority as administering services as an arm of the state and maintaining the courts is one example. The 7th Judicial Circuit Court works closely with the County Board of Commissioners to establish an operating budget to administer justice effectively and efficiently in Genesee County.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Family Division Administrator to authorize entering into a contract between Genesee County and the Child Advocacy Team, whereby the Child Advocacy Team will provide legal services for children for the term commencing October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 at a cost to the County of $690,420 and the cost will be paid from accounts 1010-662.00-818.003 ($590,420) and 2910-662.00-818.003 ($100,000) is approved (a copy of memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the November 8, 2023 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the contract amendment on behalf of Genesee County.