Title
Probation Department recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with Serrano Advisors LLC, under retroactive Agreement 8504 because (B) specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign retroactive Agreement for Services 8504 with Serrano, to provide California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) planning and implementation consulting services for the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027 with an amount not to exceed $50,000; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute further documents relating to Agreement 8504, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: CalAIM Providing Access and Transforming Health Program (100%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Serrano specializes in Medicare and Medicaid policy and reimbursements, including coordinated re-entry services for justice-involved populations, behavioral health realignment, and street medicine services. Street medicine is the practice of providing medical care to people experiencing homelessness by bringing care directly to them in their own environment, like parks, encampments, and under bridges. Serrano helps their clients navigate federal and state reimbursement policies and advises on pathways to innovate and sustain equitable programs for underserved people.
The onset of CalAIM, a long-term commitment to transform Medi-Cal, making the program more equitable, coordinated, and person-centered to help people maximize their health and life trajectories, has brought new challenges to the Probation Department (Probation). Probation is now tasked with implementing strategies to facilitate successful transitions into the community for justice-involved individuals, specifically those from the South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center. Serrano will be providing project management and strategic planning and coordination for CalAIM implementation.
A draft agreement was presented to Serrano on February 12, 2024. The contract process was followed, and the agreement was submitted to Purchasing & Contracts on March 6, 2024 for Purchasing Agent signature. Upon final review, it was decided in April 2024 that Serrano’s Scope of Services should be reworked. From April 2024 through July 2024, concerns about the Scope of Services were worked out between the Chief Administrative Office, Health and Human Services, the Sheriff’s Office, and Probation.
The agreement was resubmitted through the contract approval process beginning on July 22, 2024, and moved along as efficiently as possible, with a Board of Supervisors date scheduled as soon as practicable. Additional time was spent providing the County’s required insurance documentation, and considerable exchange of communication was made with Risk Management to affirm all documentation was acceptable.
Based on the quick timeline for implementation, several required milestone report outs that have already been required, the requirements set for the from the Department of Health Care Services, and the Probation Department’s minimal experience in Medi-Cal reimbursement practices, the services provided by Serrano were needed immediately. Additionally, when Probation reached out to HHSA, they indicated they would not be able to take on Medi-Cal billing on behalf of the south Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center. It is necessary for the implementation of CalAIM and in the interest of advancing these needed services for our clients, the begin date of the Agreement will be retroactive to July 1, 2024.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve this agreement. Probation would seek guidance for implementing CalAIM processes, including seeking another consultant to provide needed services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
12/12/2023 Legistar file 23-1917
11/14/2023 Legistar file 23-2036
12/13/2022 Legistar file 22-2061
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Chief Administrative Office, Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund impact or increase to Net County Cost. Funding is included in Probation’s proposed FY 2024-25 budget and will be included in subsequent years’ budget requests.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on two originals of Agreement 8504.
2) Forward one fully executed document to the Probation Department for finalization and distribution to vendor.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Jackie S. Cook, Administrative Analyst, 530-621-5588