Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 (B) that it is appropriate to contract with Granite Wellness Centers (Granite) for services provided under Agreement 8955 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 8955 with Granite, for the provision of therapeutic counseling, residential substance use treatment and related services for Child Welfare Services and CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work clients in the amount of $100,000, for the term beginning November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2027; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 8955, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Funded with a blend of Federal Funds (20%) with County share of cost or required match (80%) met primarily with realignment resources.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 16501-16508, HHSA’s Child Welfare Services (CWS) is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. These services are designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring their safety, helping them achieve permanency in their homes, and strengthening family units to aid parents in successfully caring for their children. Pursuant to WIC Section 11322.6, CWS programs are required to provide therapeutic counseling and substance abuse treatment services for clients engaged in CWS for the purpose of family reunification and CalWORKs/ Welfare-to-Work (WTW) programs to help them obtain and retain employment through CalWORKs/WTW activities.
HHSA maintains agreements with multiple vendors for the provision of substance use treatment services to ensure that CWS clients can be referred by their caseworker on an “as needed” basis to receive necessary, and in some cases, court-mandated services from the most appropriate and conveniently located vendor. The choice of vendor is based upon the specific needs of each HHSA client.
HHSA has contracted with Granite (formerly known as Community Recovery Resources) since 2013 for these services. Granite provides substance use services including substance use testing, residential living, and transitional living for clients in multiple locations close to El Dorado County. Granite also provides a variety of outpatient therapy services, including family, group, individual counseling, and parenting classes. All services are provided by Granite on an “as requested” basis to deliver necessary, and in some cases, court-mandated services. The services provided by Granite are a successful tool to support HHSA clients in receiving services through the WTW and CWS programs.
On November 9, 2021, the Board authorized the Chair to execute Agreement 5668 with Granite for therapeutic counseling, residential substance use treatment and child welfare services for a three-year term through October 31, 2024 (Legistar file 21-0723). The proposed Agreement 8955 in this agenda item is a renewal agreement with Granite for continued services. HHSA recommends Board approval on this renewal agreement to ensure continuity in these services.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts, which would limit HHSA’s capacity for these services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 11/17/2014, 14-1506 V. 1, HHSA Community Recovery Resources
2) 07/19/2016, 14-1506 V. 2, HHSA Community Recovery Resources AMD
3) 10/24/2017, 14-1506 V. 3, HHSA Community Recovery Resources AMD
4) 11/13/2018, 18-1325 V. 1, HHSA Community Recovery Resources 2398
5) 11/09/2021, 21-0723, HHSA Granite Wellness Centers 5668
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management. Auditor-Controller was notified in accordance with Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item. This agreement is a renewal of a prior year agreement and continues to be funded with federal funds and State realignment. The funding source for services is unique to the eligibility of the family receiving services, so the source of the Federal and State funds varies. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 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 Agreement for Services 8955.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency