Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of Mental Health Services Act Prevention and Early Intervention services provided by Contractor are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the First Amendment to Agreement for Services 4840 with Suicide Prevention Network, LTD, doing business as Suicide Prevention Network of Douglas County, increasing the Fiscal Year 2022-23 maximum compensation by $46,000, thereby increasing the total not-to-exceed amount to $226,000, with no change to the original three (3) year term ending June 30, 2023, with no increase to the rates and projected hours of service for the duration of the agreement; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Director of Behavioral Health, to execute further documents relating to Agreement 4840, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING: 100% Mental Health Services Act State Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). MHSA imposes a one (1) percent tax on personal income in excess of $1,000,000. The funds from the tax are distributed to California counties and are intended to transform the Mental Health System into one that is consumer and family driven, is recovery-oriented, accessible, culturally competent, and offers services appropriate for the population that is served.
Under MHSA, each county is required to develop a Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (Plan), followed by two subsequent years of Annual Updates to the original Plan. The purpose of the Annual Update is to review existing projects and to make deletions, modifications, or additions to the original Plan. Therefore, planning, implementing, and updating each Plan and Annual Update is an ongoing, annual process.
MHSA established five (5) components that address specific goals for priority populations and key community mental health needs. Prevention and Early Intervention, one component of MHSA, focuses on education, supports, early interventions, and a reduction in disparities for underserved groups seeking access to mental health services. This Agreement with Suicide Prevention Network of Douglas County (SPNDC) for Suicide Prevention and Stigma Reduction Project services provides prevention and early intervention strategies to increase awareness of mental illness, programs, resources, and strategies, and increase linkage to mental health resources. In addition, SPNDC will implement activities that are designed to reduce the number of attempted suicides in El Dorado County, change the negative attitudes and perceptions about seeking mental health services, and increase access to mental health resources to support individuals and families.
On June 9, 2020, the Board adopted and authorized the implementation of the MHSA Fiscal Year 2020-21 through 2022-23 Three Year Program and Expenditure Plan (File 20-0446). Included in the MHSA Plan is the Suicide Prevention and Stigma Reduction Project. Services provided in the project providing suicide prevention awareness campaigns, workshops, training to the public, youth events, development of suicide prevention plans, and wellness fairs. Additionally, services may include the distribution of suicide prevention resources and materials, and referrals to resources. Agreement 4840 with Suicide Prevention Network of Douglas County was approved by the Board on June 23, 2020 (File ID 20-0653).
On July 19, 2022, the Board adopted and authorized the implementation of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan (File 22-1046). Implementation of Objective 1.1 establishing a dedicated Suicide Prevention Coordinator is currently in process with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) projected to be released in March 2023. The scope of work for contract 4840 aligns with Objective 2.2 to develop a prevention education program and provide training throughout the County to the public, providers, and other stakeholders, including education about lethal means reduction.
Throughout the Community Program Planning Process for the most recent MHSA FY 2022-23 Annual Update (Annual Update), community stakeholders supported the increase of Suicide Prevention services along with the continued implementation of the Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. After analyzing the prospect of expanding the program by Behavioral Health Management, it was determined to meet criteria for increased funding, and the FY 2022-23 MHSA Annual Update (File 22-0832) was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on August 30, 2022, included this project.
On August 31, 2022, a request was entered into HHSA’s Contract Request System to process the subject amendment immediately following the approval of the Annual Update which was approved by the Board of Supervisors on August 30, 2022 (File 22-0832). Once the internal approval process was completed, the request was assigned to a contract analyst on September 9, 2022. At the time, the projected contract completion estimate was three (3) to four (4) months. In anticipation of a timely process, the vendor increased their service delivery hours and increased the rate they were paying their employee providing these contracted services. Due to staff turnover, which lead to changes in contract processing assignment, a contract draft was not provided to program staff until February 9, 2023.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17, Section 7.11, effective October 11, 2006, through October 19, 2022, which was in effect at the time the original agreement became effective, the contractor selection process for service contracts in excess of $100,000 must include a review of the scope of services and contractor’s professional qualifications by a group of individuals (including at least one representative from outside the department requesting the services) qualified to judge the contractor’s ability to perform the services. HHSA has documentation on file that such a review was performed for Agreement 4840 with Suicide Prevention Network.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts; however, HHSA may be out of compliance with the FY 2022-23 MHSA Plan, if adopted, or California Proposition 63.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 08/30/22, 22-0832, HHSA 2022-2023 MHSA Plan Update
2) 07/19/22, 22-1046, HHSA Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan
3) 06/23/20, 20-0653, HHSA Suicide Prevention Network of Douglas County, 4840
4) 06/09/20, 20-0446, HHSA Mental Health Services Act Plan FY 20/21 - FY 22/23
5) 07/17/18, 18-0881, HHSA Suicide Prevention Network 3012
6) 06/20/17, 17-0551, HHSA MHSA Plan
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the agenda item. This Agreement for Services is a renewal of a prior year agreement and continues to be funded with Mental Health Services Act funding. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 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 (1) original First Amendment to Agreement for Services 4840.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities: Improved health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency