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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with Sierra Child and Family Services, Inc. for the provision of school and community-based therapy to eligible youth provided under Agreement 5417 because (B) “Specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in classifications are involved in the performance of the work;”
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 5417 with Sierra Child and Family Services, Inc., in the amount of $180,000, for a one-year term beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; and
3) Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services Agency, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 5417, including amendments, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: 100% Federal Funding: Mental Health Services Block Grant.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is a recipient of Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) funds via the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA). The MHBG allocation for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 is $437,347, and it must be spent in accordance with Public Law (PL) 102-321 (Block Grants to States Regarding Mental Health & Substance Abuse) and PL 106-310 (Children’s Health Act of 2000).
Since Fiscal Year 2014-15, HHSA has dedicated MHBG funding to provide Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Transitional Age Youth First Episode Psychosis (FEP) services in El Dorado County high schools. DBT is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach used to treat many conditions, based on mindfulness skills, distress tolerance skills and emotional regulation. FEP refers to the initial symptoms of psychosis, when connecting quickly with the right treatment can be life-changing and radically alter the person’s future. Again this year, HHSA plans to use the MHBG allocation for the provision of these DBT and FEP services.
In December 2019, HHSA processed a Request for Proposal 20-918-029 for DBT and Transitional Age Youth FEP services on the West Slope of El Dorado County (County), which resulted in a single proposal from Sierra Child and Family Services, Inc. As a result, the original Agreement 4342 was awarded to SCFS for a one-year term (Legistar item 19-1461) to coincide with MHBG funding, and was followed by a renewal agreement 5012 for a second one-year term (Legistar item 20-0908). Following the successful outcomes of these DBT and FEP agreements, this new agreement 5417 will continue school and community-based DBT and FEP services on the West Slope of El Dorado County.
The success of SCFS’ DBT and FEP programs on high school campuses has been supported by collaboration between SCFS and El Dorado County schools, resulting in dedicated space in the high schools to conduct mental health screenings and services to ensure easy access for eligible children and youth.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA will be out-of-compliance with the Fiscal Year 2021-22 MHBG plan and application, which indicates that the services will be contracted out due to the specialized skills needed to provide said services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
01/14/2020 Legistar item 19-1461 - HHSA DBT & FEP RFP Award to Sierra Child & Family Services Agreement 4342
09/01/2020 Legistar item 20-0908 - HHSA Sierra Child & Family Services Agreement 5012
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. This agreement will be funded with Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) funding and sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services #5417.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan, Healthy Communities goal, Objective 4: “Achieve better outcomes for children, young adult, and families in the areas of mental illness and substance abuse prevention.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director