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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of Opioid Remediation services provided by grantees are in the public's best interest and that due to the limited timeframes, temporary or occasional nature, or schedule for the project or scope of work, the ongoing aggregate of work to be performed is not sufficient to warrant addition of permanent staff in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(C), El Dorado County Charter, Section 210(c)(6);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8320 with the El Dorado County Probation Department, doubling the amount of $193,000.48 for a new total of $386,000.96, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8322 with El Dorado Sheriff’s Office, doubling the amount of $132,020.80 for a new total of $264,041.60, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026;
4) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8332 with Barton Healthcare System, doubling the amount of $248,296 for a new total of $496,592, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026;
5) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8333 with El Dorado County Community Health Center, doubling the amount of $54,625.12 for a new amount of $109,250.24, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026;
6) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8335 with Marshall Medical Center, doubling the amount of $322,887.77 for a new total of $645,755.54, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026;
7) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8338 with Shamanic Living Center, doing business as Recovery In Action, doubling the amount of $37,547.20 for a new total of $75,094.40, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026;
8) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8339 with Summitview Child & Family Services, Inc., doubling the amount of $199,848 for a new total of $399,696, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026;
9) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Funding Out Agreement 8340 with Mountain High Recovery Center, doubling the amount of $77,819.60 for a new amount of $155,639.20, and extending the term for one year through June 30, 2026; and
10) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Funding Out Agreements 8320, 8322, 8332, 8333, 8335, 8338, 8339, and 8340, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreements.
FUNDING: 100% State California Department of Health Care Services Opioid Settlement Disbursement Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The opioid overdose epidemic is a major public health crisis that has impacted nearly every region and demographic group in the United States. Lawsuits ensued alleging drug manufacturers and distributors improperly marketed and distributed opioids across the United States, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Beginning in 2021, these lawsuits were settled for large amounts, with the funding settlements to provide substantial funds to county and city governments for the abatement of the opioid epidemic.
In early 2023, the County received settlement funding from the DHCS in the amount of $1,688,059.00. DHCS, as the funding administrator, stipulated that opioid settlement funds must be spent on opioid remediation activities and outlined that allowable services include activities tied to the ending, reduction or lessening the effects of the opioid epidemic in communities and include prevention, intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services.
Subsequently, on June 15, 2023, HHSA’s Behavioral Health Division initiated outreach to opioid abatement providers within the community to invite them to apply to the County’s Opioid Settlement Fund Request for Applications (RFA), for the total funding amount of $1,266,044, which represents the full amount less administrative costs to the County. As outlined in the RFA, grantee awards would be divided among the eligible applicants at varying amounts, in which to be considered, each applicant had to submit a detailed plan for community opioid abatement services, provide a budget outlining their funding request, and agree to the stipulation that County subawarded opioid funds must be used by grantees for opioid abatement within the community per the DHCS allowable uses requirements.
On September 15, 2023, following the conclusion of the RFA, a County evaluation panel completed their review of applicants and recommended awarding Funding Agreements to the eight grantees included in this agenda item. The Board approved these eight Funding Out Agreements (8320, 8322, 8332, 8333, 8335, 8338, 8339, and 8340) on May 21, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0258).
HHSA recommends the Board allocate the additional $1,266,044 in opioid settlement funds and approve the First Amendments to the eight mentioned Funding Out Agreements to extend the services for another year, thereby allowing the community providers, County Probation, and EDSO to continue delivering opioid abatement services to individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD); vulnerable populations at risk for opioid abuse and misuse in El Dorado County; pregnant or parenting women with OUD and any co-occurring substance use or mental health conditions, and the needs of their families, including babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS); unhoused individuals and families, those transitioning out of incarceration; and other populations negatively impacted by opioid use. HHSA anticipates outcomes of sub-awarding this funding include the remediation and abatement of opioid use in El Dorado County. Additionally, HHSA anticipates issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit new proposals for a 3-year term in June 2025, in alignment with last year's opioid settlement strategic framework.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would need to come up with alternatives that meet the DHCS settlement agreement requirements for abatement of the opioid epidemic.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 05/21/24, 24-0258, HHSA Opioid Settlement Funding Out Agreements
2) 09/10/24, 24-1189, HHSA Opioid Settlement Funds Utilization Strategic Framework
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management. Auditor was notified of Agreements 8320, 8332, 8333, 8335, 8339, and 8340 in accordance with Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund Cost associated with this agenda item, as these agreements are funded entirely by the DHCS Opioid Settlement Disbursement Fund. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget and the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Request.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the original First Amendments to Funding Out Agreements 8320, 8322, 8332, 8333, 8335, 8338, 8339, and 8340.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency