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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of Medi-Cal Peer Support services provided by California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7410 with CalMHSA, with a not-to-exceed amount of $46,000, effective upon execution through December 31, 2024; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director or Behavioral Health Director, to execute further documents relating to Agreement 7410 contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING: 100% Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) designated California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) as the certifying agency for Peer Support Specialists. CalMHSA established a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification program as required in Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 21-041 for interested counties. CalMHSA developed a standardized peer certification procedure which includes centralized application process, certification of trainers, development and administration of a standardized exam, and all related infrastructure.
Additionally, counties have selected CalMHSA as the certifying entity responsible for the certification, examination, and enforcement of professional standards for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California. El Dorado community members with lived experience, including MHSA contract providers and potentially county staff, will be trained to help their peers. Trained Peer Support Specialists will expand the system of care throughout the County. Access to support services is an on-going concern in El Dorado County. Peer Support Specialists will be available to serve the people in their communities.
This proposed Agreement 7410 with CalMHSA was initially received by the County from CalMHSA as an amendment to a prior Agreement 6288, but that request to amend was received after the expiration date, therefore, a new agreement was requested from CalMHSA. The prior agreement, 6288, was not brought to the Board’s attention because it was a non-financial agreement and was approved by the Chief Administrative Office, per Board of Supervisors Policy C-18, Non-Financial Agreements. The initial agreement 6288 with CalMHSA established a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification program as required in BHIN 21-041 for interested counties, for which CalMHSA developed a standardized peer certification program, that upon start-up was funded by DHCS’s limited funding for the certification of peers. Today’s request for the Board’s approval is due to the expenditure component of the Agreement 7410 which now contains a DHCS-established fee schedule for the peer certification services.
The Peer Support Specialist Certification Fee Schedule listed in the Agreement outlines activities and fees associated with the ongoing administration of the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program operated by CalMHSA. Senate Bill (SB) 803 and BHIN 21-041 provide State standards for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Programs in the California Medicaid program. The fee schedule has been approved by the Department of Health Care Services in accordance with the California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 14045.18.
The proposed Agreement will ensure the continuation of necessary peer certification services without any service interruption.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board of Supervisors choose to decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA will continue to pursue Peer Support Specialist Certifications for eligible clients and community members directly through other training providers, which may be more costly.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
1) Obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original Agreement for Services #7410; and
2) Forward one (1) partially executed document to HHSA-Contracts Unit, 3057 Briw Road, Suite B for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency