Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Keith D. Bostick (Deputy Director)
Department: Human Services Division: Administration
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO APPROVE Affiliation Agreement between Broward County and Florida Atlantic University, Counseling program, to participate in Broward County Human Services Department’s University Student Practicum Program effective upon execution; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement that do not impose any additional financial obligation on the County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative actions to implement the Agreement.
ACTION: (T-10:22 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE Affiliation Agreement between Broward County and Keiser University, Clinical Mental Health program, to participate in Broward County Human Services Department’s University Student Practicum Program effective upon execution; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement that do not impose any additional financial obligation on the County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative actions to implement the Agreement.
ACTION: (T-10:22 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically.
C. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to sign Affiliation Agreements for the University Student Practicum Program in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 3, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative actions to implement the Agreements.
ACTION: (T-10:22 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically.
D. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement that do not impose any additional financial obligation on the County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative actions to implement the Agreement.
ACTION: (T-10:22 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Agreements with external agencies require approval by Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”).
What Action Accomplishes
Motion A and B provide for the implementation of a practicum program with Florida Atlantic University and Keiser University within the Human Services Department. Motion C and D allow the County Administrator to sign Affiliation Agreements moving forward and execute Amendments to existing Affiliation Agreements if they do not impose any additional financial obligation on the County.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND EQUITY AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SECTION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE ACTIONS.
The actions support 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.” The Broward County Human Services Department operates several direct service programs within its Broward Addiction Recovery Center, Community Partnerships Division, Elderly and Veterans Services Division, Family Success Administration Division, and Crisis Intervention & Support Division. These direct services are unique and meaningful opportunities for bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D., and Psy.D. level students in social work, counseling, psychology, and nursing. Students are provided an 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, as well as understand the diversity of the Broward County community and its role 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 these Agreements with Florida Atlantic University and Keiser University provides a mutually beneficial relationship to both Broward 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.
Throughout the past several years the Human Services Department has entered into Affiliation Agreements with various universities. Establishing agreements with universities to utilize student interns will increase the Human Services Department's capacity to administer and provide direct services to several at-risk populations within Broward County. Furthermore, intern students provide assistance without financial compensation and with a commitment to established university-driven educational goals. Often times Broward County and the applicable university would like to add additional programs to the Affiliation Agreement. Motion C seeks the Commission’s approval to authorize the County Administrator to execute the Affiliation Agreement with applicable university programs, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 3 and as approved by the Office of the County Attorney. Motion D seeks the Commission’s approval to authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to current Affiliation Agreements to include additional programs with no financial obligation on the County, and subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney. The Risk Management Division has reviewed and approved the insurance requirements. A copy of the Agreements has been attached as Exhibits 1 and 2. The form agreement is attached as Exhibit 3.
Source of Additional Information
Suzanne Bundy, HS Administrator, Equity and Community Investment Section, (954) 357-8213
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.