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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a letter of recommendation for Mountain High Recovery Center’s application to seek a license with the California Department of Health Care Services, Licensing and Certification Division, Licensing Branch 2, DUI Licensing & PRA Section, to provide Driving Under the Influence Program services for South Lake Tahoe clients who have been convicted of a Driving Under the Influence offense.
FUNDING: No funding is obligated as a result of this action.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In July 2019, the local Driving Under the Influence (DUI) service provider in South Lake Tahoe closed its doors. Although the California Department Health Care Services (DHCS), Licensing and Certification Division, Licensing Branch 2, DUI Licensing & PRA Section is responsible for licensing all DUI programs statewide, the licensing process begins at the County level.
Consistent with the California Code of Regulations, Title 9. Rehabilitative and Developmental Services, Division 4. Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Chapter 3, Programs for Alcohol and Drug Impaired Drivers, the County is responsible for reviewing new applications for DUI program licensure, forwarding recommended applications to the County Board of Supervisors for recommendation to DHCS, assuring programmatic and fiscal integrity of the DUI program, and if necessary, conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP) in order to determine the best qualified provider. The County does not pay for the services and it is not responsible for licensing the provider; providers are funded through fees charged to those mandated to receive services as a result of a court order.
On October 20, 2020, County Procurement and Contracts released RFP 20-918-078 for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Program Providers in the South Lake Tahoe Basin. The County subsequently received one (1) response and application from Mountain High Recovery Center (MHRC), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in South Lake Tahoe.
The application submitted by MHRC has been reviewed by the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Substance Use Disorder (SUD) County AOD Administrator/Program Manager to ensure compliance with Title 9, California Code of Regulations and has been deemed appropriate to submit to the Board of Supervisors to obtain a recommendation for licensure. Once the recommendation has been made, the application will be submitted to the DHCS Licensing and Certification Division, Licensing Branch 2, DUI Licensing & PRA Section, along with the non-refundable application fee.
HHSA is requesting the Board sign a letter recommending MHRC’s application to the DHCS Licensing and Certification Division, Licensing Branch 2, DUI Licensing & PRA Section for consideration of DUI Program licensing. Upon approval by the State for DUI Program services licensing, the County will once again have a local qualified, licensed DUI Program available to provide education and counseling services for those individuals convicted of a DUI. This will ensure availability of said services for the approximately 200 individuals convicted of DUI and referred to a licensed DUI program each year in the South Lake Tahoe basin.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA will be without a local Driving Under the Influence Program provider in the South Lake Tahoe Basin, requiring participants sentenced to DUI Programs by the El Dorado County Superior Court in South Lake Tahoe to participate in programs located in Placer County or Placerville, where travel is difficult for those who have had their licensed revoked.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no costs associated with this recommendation to sign a letter of recommendation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1. Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair's signature on two (2) original letters of recommendation for MHRC’s application for DUI Program licensing; and
2. Clerk of the Board to return one (1) original signed letter of recommendation to the HHSA Contracts Unit, 3057 Briw Road, Suite B.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities and Public Safety
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director