To: James Avery, Governmental Operations Committee
From: Rhonda Ihm, Family Division Administrator
title
RE: Approval of a contract extension between Genesee County and Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, in the amount of $150,000, to provide pre-petition and post-adjudication ancillary legal services for families involved in child welfare cases.
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a contract extension between Genesee County and Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, in the amount of $150,000, to provide pre-petition and post-adjudication ancillary legal services for families involved in child welfare cases; the cost for this agreement will be paid for from account 2915-662.00-801.004.
BACKGROUND:
In FY23, the Court was awarded the Child & Parent Legal Representation Grant and entered an initial contract with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan to provide legal services to indigent parents at risk of becoming involved in child protective proceedings or have children removed and placed in foster care. The initial contract allowed for three one-year extensions. The Court has been awarded the FY 24 grant, accepted the grant pursuant to resolution 2023-239, and will extend a contract with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan to provide the services under the grant.
DISCUSSION:
Children come to the attention of the child protection system for many reasons. Too often, their entry into foster care could be avoided if their caretakers had resources to address legal problems that put their children at risk. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan will provide pre-petition ancillary legal services for indigent parents who at-risk of becoming involved in child protective proceedings or post-adjudication ancillary legal services that could expedite the resolution of their case. Legal services may be provided in areas such as family law, fair housing, government benefits, education, employment, or individual rights.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGE...
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