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Health and Human Services Agency, Mental Health Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve Amendment I to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 006-F1511 with El Dorado County Office of Education, and Lake Tahoe Unified School District which defines the roles and responsibilities of all parties with regard to the El Dorado County Special Education Local Plan Area to update procedural language within the MOU and extend the current term for one year, through June 30, 2017; and
2) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute further documents relating to the above noted MOU, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or the term, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: State and Federal funding; reimbursement from El Dorado County Special Education Local Plan Areas for services not covered by Medi-Cal or Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending approval of Amendment I to MOU 006-F1511 to update procedural language within the MOU and to extend the term by one year, through June 30, 2017. This Amendment will ensure ongoing cooperation with the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) and Lake Tahoe Unified School District (Tahoe Alpine) Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA) and the County, so that special education pupils may continue to receive specialty mental health services on an “as needed” basis.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
MOU 006-F1511 establishes the roles and responsibilities of the EDCOE as the Administrative Unit of the SELPA, Tahoe Alpine as the SELPA for that region, and HHSA on behalf of the County, to ensure special education pupils receive appropriate mental health services. This MOU was developed in response to the 2010 Governors’ line item veto of funding to reimburse counties for complying with Assembly Bill (AB) 3632, which transferred responsibility for providing mental health services from school districts to county mental health agencies. The veto was determined to have suspended the mandate and thus transferred responsibility back to the school districts. In addition, the MOU was developed collaboratively with EDCOE and Tahoe Alpine, and defines EDCOE or Tahoe Alpine as the SELPA responsible for referring special education pupils for mental health services in their regions on an “as needed” basis, including referrals to the Mental Health Division (MHD) for services. As the Mental Health Plan for the County, the MHD is the only entity that may submit requests for mental health services reimbursement to Medi-Cal and EPSDT funding. Therefore, if the cost of services exceeds the reimbursement received it is then billed to the appropriate SELPA for payment to the County.
ALTERNATIVES
The current MOU will remain in place until June 30, 2016 without the program's language enhancements or extension of the term, thereby impacting services for special education pupils.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this revenue-generating Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1. Chair to sign three (3) originals of MOU 006-F1511.
2. Clerk of the Board to return two (2) fully executed MOUs to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Project 3.3 Mental Health Service Delivery Redesign; Objective 3.3.6 Develop a collaborative team to annually assess the need for a SELPA/HHSA MOU.
CONTACT
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director