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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings, pursuant El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B), that the provision of County-wide youth Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) by the providers listed below 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;
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the finalized Agreement for Services 10393 with Stanford Sierra Youth & Families (Stanford) for provision of SMHS, similar in form and scope to the sample agreement attached (Attachment A), in the amount of $4,563,000 for the three-year term from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with the option for a one-year term extension through June 30, 2030, and an additional $1,521,000 if the extension is granted, contingent upon written approval by the County Contract Administrator, for a total maximum obligation of $6,084,000;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the finalized Agreement for Services 10394 with Summitview Child & Family Services, Inc. (Summitview) for the provision of SMHS, similar in form and scope to the sample agreement attached (Attachment A), in the amount of $9,486,000 for the three-year term from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with the option for a one-year term extension through June 30, 2030, and an additional $3,162,000 if the extension is granted, contingent upon written approval by the County Contract Administrator, for a total maximum obligation of $12,648,000;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the finalized Agreement for Services 10395 with Sierra Child & Family Services (Sierra) for provision of SMHS, similar in form and scope to the sample agreement attached (Attachment A), in the amount of $7,245,000 for the three-year term from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with the option for a one-year term extension through June 30, 2030, and an additional $2,415,000 if the extension is granted, contingent upon written approval by the County Contract Administrator, for a total maximum obligation of $9,660,000;
5) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the finalized Agreement for Services 10396 with New Morning Youth & Family Services (New Morning) for provision of SMHS, similar in form and scope to the sample agreement attached (Attachment A), in the amount of $1,950,000 for the three-year term from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with the option for a one-year term extension through June 30, 2030, and an additional $650,000 if the extension is granted, contingent upon written approval by the County Contract Administrator, for a total maximum obligation of $2,600,000;
6) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreements 10393, 10394, 10395, and 10396, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amounts or terms of the Agreements; and
7) Authorize the HHSA Director or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreements 10393,10394, 10395, and 10396.
FUNDING: 50% Federal Medi-Cal and 50% Behavioral Health Services Act.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In accordance with the County’s Mental Health Plan (MHP) Agreement 25-50128 with Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), HHSA as the MHP is responsible for ensuring access to SMHS for Medi-Cal beneficiaries whose mental health conditions significantly impair functioning, as required under California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) § 5600 et seq., 14000 et seq., and 17000 et seq. The County’s Performance Contract 26-60027 with DHCS and the BHSA implementation, effective July 1, 2026, requires new contract provisions, and requires updated SMHS contracts to incorporate BHSA administrative standards, reporting obligations, infrastructure requirements, and compliance provisions. Approval of the proposed SMHS template and differing scopes of work/rate exhibits ensures uninterrupted service access and compliance with the MHP Agreement, including Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefits.
The SMHS template governs the provision of Countywide SMHS for Medi-Cal beneficiaries under the age of 21 with significant functional impairments. These services include assessments, individual and family therapy, rehabilitation services, crisis intervention, intensive home-based or community-based treatment, targeted case management, and (when clinically indicated) residential or Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) services. Services address significant functional impairments caused by mental health conditions and support treatment stabilization and recovery, all of which are designed to address significant functional impairments resulting from mental health conditions. The anticipated outcomes of these services include improved functional stability for children, youth, and young adults, reduction in psychiatric crises and use of higher levels of care, increased progress toward individualized treatment goals, maintenance of continuity of care and preservation of Medi-Cal claiming compliance and uninterrupted EPSDT service delivery.
The four providers presented in this agenda item, following referrals provided by County through these agreements, will provide youth SMHS for County residents that are Medi-Cal beneficiaries and are eligible to receive SMHS because of a mental health condition that has been identified to have a significant impact on their life functions. These clients will be provided high-level treatment interventions and supportive services to reach their treatment goals.
To ensure continuity of the mandated SMHS with no gaps in services, and to ensure the finalized agreements can be executed effective July 1, 2026, HHSA recommends the Board approve this agenda item to enable timely execution of the finalized Agreements utilizing the templates attached to this agenda item. All of these SMHS agreements are renewals of agreements which were previously approved by the Board on December 10, 2024 (Legistar file 24-2098).
These BHSA related services for youth SMHS in the County are exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to Resolution 017-2026, adopted by the Board on January 27, 2026 (Legistar file 25-2044).
The templates are being presented to the Board, as the finalized agreements are currently in process and were not ready in time to bring before the Board in this agenda item. Should minor modifications to the sample agreements be necessary (e.g., updates to the rates, standard articles, updates to comply with BHSA or other state requirements, or other minor changes), those revisions must be reviewed and approved by County Counsel and Risk Management, as applicable, but will not require Board approval.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve these recommendations, HHSA would be unable to maintain compliance with MHP Agreement 25-50128 executed between the County and the State which could lead to fiscal sanctions.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 12/10/24, 24-2098, HHSA SMHS Contracts
2) 01/27/26, 25-2044, HHSA Resolution Behavioral Health Services Act Services (Competitive Bidding Exemption)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Risk Management. The Auditor-Controller was notified of these Agreements in accordance with Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the agreements.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency