The Public Safety Department is now completing the 13^th year of an agreement with the County of Santa Clara to provide a full-time Master Social Worker assigned exclusively to Sunnyvale to work on child abuse and child neglect cases that occur in Sunnyvale.

FY 1999/2000 marks the first time that a multi-year agreement is being pursued with Santa Clara County Social Services for the provision of a Master Social Worker. The attached Memorandum of Agreement, prepared by the Sunnyvale City Attorney, provides for continuation of the service through June 30, 2002.

The multi-year agreement seeks to limit yearly increases in cost for service to no more than 5% per annum, beginning with FY 1999/2000. Though increases from year-to-year have generally been around 5%, the County had previously indicated that administrative support costs for this position were rising dramatically. Staff moved accordingly to limit future cost increases to no more than 5%.

Staff recommends that Council approve the Resolution, Appendix A, authorizing the City Manager to sign the attached agreement for the City of Sunnyvale.

Since 1986, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the County of Santa Clara to provide for the full-time assignment of a Master Social Worker to the Department of Public Safety to work exclusively with Sunnyvale victims of child abuse and neglect. In each agreement, Sunnyvale has agreed to pay one third of the Master Social Worker’s salary, fringe benefits and overhead/operating costs.

The on-site Master Social Worker is intended to enhance the Public Safety Department’s investigation of child abuse and neglect cases. The Master Social Worker assists and trains officers in these types of investigations and provides other related services, as appropriate, in support of the welfare of Sunnyvale children and their parents.

The attached Memorandum of Agreement, Appendix B, will continue the current practice of the Santa Clara County Social Services Department assigning a Master Social Worker exclusively to Sunnyvale. The Master Social Worker will continue to have an office in the Public Safety Building and will work closely with Public Safety Officers and Sunnyvale youth and parents.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sunnyvale will pay 1/3 of the salary and benefits of a Master Social Worker, 1/3 of non-salary overhead costs, 1/3 of other operating costs and provide office space.

Also under the terms of the agreement the Master Social Worker will continue to provide the following enhancements in the investigation of child abuse and neglect cases:

• Conduct assessments and develop service plans for children and their parents.
• Assist investigating officers in the investigation of child abuse and neglect cases.
• Conduct training sessions, upon request, for personnel of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, covering at a minimum, the following subjects: (1) recognizing signs of child abuse and neglect; (2) basic principles of counseling children and families; (3) community resources servicing families; and (4) the child abuse reporting law.
• Maintenance of written case files in full compliance with state regulations.
• Schedule work hours in order to be available for evening interviews two days a week.

Public Safety staff believes that the addition of a full-time Master Social Worker working exclusively in Sunnyvale has greatly enhanced Public Safety’s child abuse and neglect programs and has had a beneficial impact on Sunnyvale’s youth and families.

Funds in the amount of $40,733.00 to cover the costs associated with this contract are included in the base budget for the Police Services Program (412). The contract budget summary (see Appendix C) provides a detail of the local share contribution the City of Sunnyvale has committed to fund under this agreement for FY 1999/2000.

Under the terms of the agreement, the contract amount shall be increased each year by an amount not to exceed 5% per annum.

Posting of the Council Agenda. Reports to Council are also available at the City Library and the City’s website.

Staff recommends Alternative 1.

Prepared by:

Peter Gonda
Administrative Assistant, Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Steve Pigott
Captain, Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Irwin Bakin
Director, Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Mary Bradley
Director of Finance

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager