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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02232010 - C.80RECOMMENDATION(S): APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment & Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Mills College in Oakland, California, to allow non-paid student intern field placement at Department childcare centers for observation and assessments in child development theory and practice for the term October 15, 2009 through June 1, 2013. FISCAL IMPACT: None BACKGROUND: The purpose of this agreement is to provide Mills College School of Education graduate students internships at selected childcare sites within the Employment & Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau (CSB). The purpose of establishing this MOU is to synthesize learning objectives for the students and to increase community partnership and expand exposure to education theories for CSB. The proposed internships fall under the APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 02/23/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: C. Youngblood 313-1712 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: February 23, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: EMY L. SHARP, Deputy cc: C.80 To:Board of Supervisors From:Joe Valentine, Employment & Human Services Director Date:February 23, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:Memorandum of Understanding with Mills College, Oakland, California auspices of "unpaid BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) volunteer programs" and will follow policies and procedures indicated in County Administrative Bulletin 421.1 (County Volunteer Programs). The internship program will be supervised by CSB management. The Memorandum of Understanding contains a mutually indemnification clause. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: The Employment & Human Services Department Community Services Bureau supports three of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes - Outcome 1: “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School,” Outcome 3: “Families that are Economically Self-sufficient,” and, Outcome 4: “Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing.” These outcomes are achieved by offering comprehensive services, including high quality early childhood education, nutrition, and health services to low-income children throughout Contra Costa County. ATTACHMENTS Mills College MOU_EHSD Graduate Field Placement Agreement This Agreement entered into this 15th day of October 2009 between the School of Education of Mills College, referred to as "UNIVERSITY," and Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department Community Services Bureau, referred to as "CSB," regarding placement of UNIVERSITY graduate students, referred to as “STUDENTS.” Mills College School of Education (Infant Mental Health and Child Development Programs) and Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau (Head Start Centers) are founded on common principles of equity and social responsibility. Both programs have a common goal of serving families and young children in ways that meet diversity and individual and group differences in culture, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, socio-economics, life- style orientation, and linguistic and cognitive abilities. Each program integrates family systems theories and principles into professional practice with respect for family choices and goals. As such, both programs promote family-centered services based on the premise that infants and young children develop within the dynamic interacting contexts of the family, the culture, and the society in which they live. I. Statement of Purpose A. To create and sustain community based experiences that synthesize learning objectives with the individual experiences of STUDENTS. The internship, a field placement experience, is a teaching method that promotes meaningful and planned experiences in early childhood educational settings directly related to their course of graduate study. Through active and reflective interaction with the site-based community, students enhance their understanding of their field of study as it occurs in the community. B. CSB is extremely vital in the creation and success of field placement endeavors. Beyond functioning as the setting of experiential learning, community organizations, comprised of staff, families, and enrolled children, share their expertise and knowledge with the STUDENTS and the faculty partner. C. CSB and UNIVERSITY recognize the opportunity for meaningful learning experiences for the UNIVERSITY, CSB and field placement STUDENTS. The UNIVERSITY supports the goals and objectives of the CSB program in which STUDENTS will participate. II. Priorities A. Program Activities Activities will be accomplished in accordance with the written scope of placement, reviewed and agreed upon by the STUDENT, UNIVERSITY AND CSB prior to the start of the experience. Page 1 of 8 The STUDENT will: 1. Participate in all relevant trainings required by CSB and stated in (Section III- A-2, Training and Orientation) this document. 2. Model professional and appropriate behavior when working with clients of CSB and when on CSB site. 3. Meet the goals of the CSB program and the field placement course in which the STUDENT is enrolled. a.Participation in school meetings and/or case conferences. b.Observation and interaction with children using developmental theory. c.Interaction with parents in a culturally sensitive and family-centered manner. d.Observation and assessment of children in a culturally competent and developmentally appropriate way and link assessment information to classroom practice. e.Fostering an emotionally healthy and developmentally appropriate environment. f.Participation as a team member in interdisciplinary collaboration. 4. Abide by Contra Costa County Administrative Bulletin 421.1, incorporated herein by reference. (Attachment A) 5. Perform any additional duties specific to the scope of work. B. Safe and productive environment – reference CSB’s policy about safe work environment 1. CSB will: a. Give STUDENT a complete tour of the site, and ensure that STUDENT is aware of all emergency procedures and is able to act responsibly in the case of an emergency. b. Ensure that STUDENT is aware of the unique nature of the population of the Service Learning program, and is prepared to work with this population. c. California law may require the CSB to obtain STUDENT’s fingerprints and submit them to the Department of Justice, and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for a criminal background check. It is the CSB’s responsibility to: Page 2 of 8 1) Determine whether such fingerprinting is required; 2) Obtain the STUDENT’s fingerprints; and 3) Obtain criminal background clearance from the appropriate agency. 2. UNIVERSITY will ensure that STUDENT agrees to the following: a. Abide by CSB rules and regulations while on site and working with CSB clients. b. Ensure that STUDENT’S interactions with clients are safe, positive and productive. c. Support the program and its objectives by providing support for clients or CSB staff as necessary and agreed upon in (Section II-A-1, Program Activities) this document. d. Ensure that STUDENT receives instruction about County Administrative Bulletin 421.1 and abides by its governing rules and procedures. III. Structure and Support of Field Placement STUDENT A. CSB 1. Field Placement Supervision – Suzanne Di Lillo, or other designee as identified by CSB will act as the Site Supervisor. The Field Placement Supervisor will meet with the STUDENT to update him/her on projects and to provide support. All program staff will support the STUDENT as they interact with him/her, and provide guidance and advice as necessary and appropriate. A secondary site supervisor will be responsible for the STUDENT in the absence of primary supervisor. a. Supervision and Accountability - Suzanne Di Lillo, or designee, will be responsible for ensuring that the work of service-learning STUDENTS is carried out effectively to meet the needs of the CSB. Ms. Di Lillo will work closely with the STUDENT, CSB, and UNIVERSITY Faculty member to meet the expectations and priorities of CSB’S site. 2. a. The CSB director or his/her designee will meet once per semester with Dr. Linda Perez, faculty member at UNIVERSITY that has assigned the field placement experience. b. The CSB director, or designee, and Director of the Infant Mental Health and Early Childhood Education program at UNIVERSITY shall meet as appropriate in order to facilitate the most mutually Page 3 of 8 beneficial experience for all parties involved, or at the request of any of the parties involved. 3. Training & Orientation – Suzanne Di Lillo, Site Supervisor or designee will provide specific training needed by the STUDENT prior to his/her working with clients or providing service to the CSB. Necessary training can be provided through collaboration between CSB, UNIVERSITY, and faculty member. 4. Work Space – STUDENT will have an appropriate space at the CSB site in which to conduct his/her assigned work. CSB will provide access and training for any and all equipment necessary for STUDENT to fulfill his/her required service role. 5. Evaluation – The CSB field placement supervisor will fill out survey(s) regarding quality of service that the STUDENT provided to the site, and as agreed upon in the written scope of placement document. B. UNIVERSITY - UNIVERSITY will assign STUDENT to CSB from the associated course; STUDENT can provide service to the program that the STUDENT will be participating in. 1. Training and Reflection - UNIVERSITY will provide a training session for STUDENT regarding his/her responsibilities as described in Section II. The Faculty Member assigned to project by UNIVERSITY will provide opportunities for STUDENT to reflect on his/her experience working at the CSB’S site. 2. Length of Agreement Term a. Initial Term - The UNIVERSITY and CSB have reached this initial Agreement for the term beginning October 15, 2009 and ending June 1, 2013. This term represents academic years. b. Termination - This Agreement shall become effective upon execution and shall continue until terminated by either party after giving the other party 30 days advance written notice of the intention to so terminate; provided further, however, that any such termination by CSB shall not be effective against any STUDENT who at the date of mailing of said notice by CSB was participating in said program until such STUDENT has completed the program as mutually agreed upon. B. Renewal Process – This Agreement can be renewed and is based on STUDENT feedback, CSB evaluations and UNIVERSITY desire to continue this relationship for the purpose of field placement experiences under the conditions that: Page 4 of 8 1. The UNIVERSITY and CSB continue to be committed to actively supporting the goals of the other. 2. The STUDENT work is meaningful and helps to provide essential support to the CSB. 3. The relationship is consistent with the goals of CSB, UNIVERSITY, STUDENT and the field placement course. The attached General Provisions is incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement. Page 5 of 8 Page 6 of 8 Contra Costa County Mills College Employment & Human Services Department ______________________________ ___________ Authorized Signatory Authorized Signatory Joseph Valentine, Director Joseph E. Kahne, Dean, School of Education Print Name Print Name ______________________________ _________________________________ Date Date Page 7 of 8 GENERAL PROVISIONS Indemnification The COUNTY shall be responsible for damages caused by the negligence of its directors, officers, agents, employees and duly authorized volunteers occurring in the performance of this Agreement. Mills College shall be responsible for damages caused by the negligence of its directors, officers, employees and duly authorized volunteers occurring in the performance of this Agreement. It is the intention of the CSB and the UNIVERSITY that the provision of this paragraph be interpreted to impose on each party responsibility for the negligence of their respective directors, officers, employees and duly authorized volunteers. Insurance CSB shall abide by the rules and procedures to be followed by County Department's governing volunteer programs as outlined in Contra Costa County Administrative Bulletin 421.1 incorporated herein by reference. Status of Students Students shall at no time throughout this Agreement be considered officers, employees, agents or volunteers of the University. Governing Law All contracts and purchase orders shall be construed in accordance with, and their performance governed by, the laws of the State of California. Further, CSB shall comply with any state or federal law applicable to CSB's performance under this Contract. Assignments Without written consent of Mills College, this Agreement is not assignable by CSB either in whole or in part. Agreement Alterations & Integration No alteration or variation of the terms of the Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the parties hereto, and no oral understanding or Agreement not incorporated herein shall be binding on any of the parties hereto. Endorsement Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring on any party hereto any right to use the other party’s name as an endorsement of product/service or to advertise, promote or otherwise market any product or service without the prior written consent of the other parties. Furthermore nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as endorsement of any commercial product or service by the UNIVERSITY, its officers or employees. Survival Upon termination of this contract for any reason, the terms, provisions, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement. Severability If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid by any law, rule, order of regulation of any government or by the final determination of any state or federal court, such invalidity shall not affect the enforceability of any other provision not held to be invalid. Page 8 of 8 Entire Agreement This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior Agreements, arrangements, and understandings with respect thereto. No representation, promise, inducement, or statement of intention has been made by any party hereto that is not embodied herein, and no party shall be bound by or liable for any alleged representation, promise, inducement, or statement not set forth herein.