Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Keith D. Bostick (Deputy Director)
Department: Human Services Division: Administration
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Affiliation Agreement between Broward County and Florida International University Board of Trustees on behalf of its Robert Stempel College of Public Health for public health students to participate in Broward County Human Services Department’s University Student Practicum Program effective upon execution; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative actions to implement the Agreement.
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Why Action is Necessary
Agreements with external agencies require approval by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”).
What Action Accomplishes
Provides for implementation of a practicum program with Florida International University (“FIU”) College of Public Health students within the Human Services Department.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
No previous action taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND EQUITY AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SECTION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE ACTION.
The action supports the Commission’s value of “approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable,” and the goal to “deliver evidence-based services to the public, and connect customers and their family members, to sustainable support, with special emphasis on financial supports,” by providing Masters and Bachelors level students the opportunity to work in a professional setting to develop and demonstrate skills in the Human Services field, integrate the theories and practices learned in and out of the classroom, develop a commitment to the profession, understand the diversity of the Broward community and the role diversity plays in the delivery of human services. Undergraduate and graduate students will be placed within the Human Services Department’s University Student Practicum Program (“USPP”) to receive experience through providing direct services under the supervision of Human Services Department staff.
Entering into this Agreement with FIU provides a mutually beneficial relationship to both the County and USPP participants. The USPP participants will enhance services capacity within the Human Services Department; in return, the USPP participants will receive both supervised and self-directed real-world learning opportunities. The Human Services Department is committed to helping position Broward County as an employer of choice within the human services professions. A primary goal of the USPP is to identify qualified USPP participants for opportunities to compete for employment with the Human Services Department after graduation.
This Agreement has been approved as to form by the Risk Management Division and the Office of the County Attorney. A copy of the Agreement has been attached as Exhibit 2.
Source of Additional Information
Jennifer Melgarejo, SPPC, Equity and Community Investment Section, (954) 357-6463
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
There is no fiscal impact to the County as students will participate solely on a volunteer basis for educational benefits, without compensation.