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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings pursuant to Section 3.13.030 (B) of the El Dorado County Ordinance Chapter 3.13, Contracting Out, that Telephone Crisis services provided by County of Nevada requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4(3) exempting the competitive bidding process, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, because competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the County;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Agreement for Services 8848 with County of Nevada to add the provision of Telephone Access Calls, Call Assessment, and Crisis Phone Triage Services, increasing the contract value by $132,042 for the initial two-year term ending on June 30, 2026, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $182,790, and adding an optional three year extension through June 30, 2029, and an additional $417,210 for this optional extension, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $600,000, if the extension is granted;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 8848, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
5) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 8848.
FUNDING: 70% Behavioral Health Realignment and 30% State Mental Health Service Act.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
HHSA’s Behavioral Health Division is mandated by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to provide a crisis line for the Adult System of Care (ASOC) and Children's System of Care (CSOC) for providing mental health referrals for children, youth, and adults as well as telephone answering services for CSOC child welfare calls.
Since 2019, HHSA has contracted with the County of Nevada to provide these services, utilizing their specialized skills, qualifications, and equipment necessary for required Crisis Line and Access Line operations.
On July 1, 2024, Agreement 8848 with the County of Nevada was approved by the Purchasing Agent, with a maximum obligation of $50,748, and a term through June 30, 2026. Amendment I to Agreement 8848 expands the services to include Telephone Access Calls, Call Assessment, and Crisis Phone Triage Services. The Crisis Phone Triage will evaluate callers' immediate needs and provide appropriate information, consultation, and education. Based on the assessment, the County of Nevada will also dispatch a Mobile Crisis Team or Law Enforcement, if necessary. The Access Line phone services will link individuals to additional Behavioral Health resources as needed.
Effective January 1, 2025, HHSA launched a new Mobile Crisis Team Countywide. This expansion has led to an increased demand for both Crisis Line and Access Line services. While the County currently provides these services from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, the growing need, along with staffing considerations, necessitates an expansion of services through the County of Nevada. The proposed First Amendment ensures the expansion of mandated services to provide 24/7 coverage, enhancing access to behavioral health services for El Dorado County residents. This expansion will improve access to services like the Mobile Crisis Team, Access Line, and other County Mental Health resources.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17, HHSA recommends this amended agreement be exempt from competitive bidding, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, per Section 3.4(3) as, “Competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the County,” as Telephone Crisis Services have been provided by the County of Nevada since 2019.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would be unable to fulfill the 24/7 coverage requirement set by DHCS and would need to develop an alternative plan, given the mandatory nature of this service. The consequences of not contracting with County of Nevada would result in the use of HHSA staff to provide the services and would increase expense to the County through on-call and overtime expenses for covering the Crisis Line and Access Line services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
03/14/23, 22-1823, HHSA County of Nevada After Hours Crisis Line Agreement 6352
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management. The Auditor-Controller has been notified per Policy B-12.
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 2024-25 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Amendment I to Agreement 8848.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency