TITLE
Title
HHS-DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH VANGUARD PROFESSIONAL STAFFING
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Sharon Barlow
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BACKGROUND
Background
Guilford County Health & Human Services Agency - Department of Social Services has utilized contracted services for staffing in Child Welfare with Vanguard Professional Staffing for social worker staffing since July 2021. Vanguard Professional Staffing is a reputable talent management organization specializing in temporary staffing solutions for human services organizations. The services provided by Vanguard have been a significant help in children’s services covering vacant positions and caseloads.
The initial contract in question was entered with a term of July 01, 2024 - September 30, 2025 with 2 options to renew in the amount of $190,000. The first term for FY25 only expended approximately $69K of the $190,000 contracted total due to shortages in available staffing with Vanguard. The first renewal was activated in FY26 for term of October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026 in the amount of $190,000. Vanguard's staffing resources increased during this current term leading to a year to date expended total of $183K. Monthly expenses have doubled over the last 2 months due to increased staffing needs within Child Welfare and reduction of availability with other temporary staffing agency partners. HHS-DSS staff are requesting an amended increase of $42,000 for a new contract total of $232,000, to the current term, to allow completion of current caseloads. These positions will assist Guilford HHS-DSS with meeting State and statutory mandates for the protection and well-being of children. State and federal reimbursements for social work activities in children's service range between 50-75%.
Social workers contracted through Vanguard have been able to assist with assessment and foster care cases, carrying caseloads, assisting with client well-being, parent referrals, participating in CFT meetings, home visits, initiating cases, court summaries, on-call duties, and various other responsibilities associated with the Children's Services division. The social workers are carrying 12-14 cases each and assisting with other supports for social workers.
Over the past few years, social services agencies across the state have struggled to attract and retain qualified child welfare social workers for various reasons. Guilford has seen rising caseloads and reports of abuse and neglect. Our agency currently has numerous vacancies in the child welfare division. Child welfare supervisors are covering vacant caseloads and shifts within programs areas have been made to ensure service levels are maintained.
Guilford HHS-DSS currently has 32 vacant social worker positions in children's services with an additional 14 workers identified to start over the next month. At the end of September, the latest completed month with data available, there are 776 children in custody, with 28 foster care social workers available to carry caseloads. There are 1160 open assessment cases and 32 assessment social workers available to carry cases.
Funding for this contract will be paid from part-time salaries using lapsed salaries from various vacancies throughout the agency. Per County Purchasing policy, the contract must be approved by the Board of Commissioners due to the total exceeding $200,000.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve contract amendment, in substantial form, for increase of $42,000 with Vanguard Professional staffing for contract social workers, for total contract in the amount of $232,000.
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