Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of after-hours crisis line 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), El Dorado County Charter, Section 210(b)(6), and/or Government Code Section 31000;
2) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign Agreement for Services 6352 with the County of Nevada, with a not-to-exceed amount of $43,800, and for the retroactive term from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Director of Behavioral Health, to execute further documents relating to Agreement 6352, 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: 1991 State Realignment (100%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The El Dorado County (EDC) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Behavioral Health Division is mandated to provide an after-hours crisis line for the Adult System of Care (ASOC) and Children's System of Care (CSOC) for mental health referrals for children, youth, and adults, as well as telephone answering services for after-hours CSOC child welfare calls.
HHSA has been contracting with the County of Nevada for these services since 2019, as they have the specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment required to provide after-hours crisis line services. This recommendation for an Agreement for Services 6532 with the County of Nevada in the amount of $43,800 is a renewal of Agreement for Services 5534, executed by the Purchasing Agent on September 27, 2021.
Agreement for Services 6532 is for a retroactive term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, as a result of extended negotiations, the coordination of County Counsel legal reviews with both counties, and the time required for County of Nevada Board of Supervisors approval. After approval was obtained by the County of Nevada Board of Supervisors, minor discrepancies were discovered on the approved agreement. Following discussions with the County of Nevada, HHSA, and EDC County Counsel, it was determined that correcting the discrepancies would delay the agreement even further, therefore, the decision was made to move forward with the County of Nevada Board of Supervisors approved version. An amendment to correct the discrepancies will be processed immediately following Board approval of the Agreement. Although this Agreement is within Purchasing Agent Authority, EDC Board of Supervisors approval is now required due to the retroactive term of the Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would need to develop an alternative plan due to the mandated nature of this service. HHSA lacks existing staff to take on after-hour crisis call duties. Assigning existing staff to perform this task would create the need for overtime compensation. Alternatively, HHSA would seek another provider to perform this service which will require several months to activate. Furthermore, the current contractor has been performing this service since July 1, 2022.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This Agreement for Services is a renewal of a prior year agreement and continues to be funded with 100% 1991 State Realignment, as appropriate.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Good Governance.
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency