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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 4148 with A Balanced Life: Individual, Child and Family Therapy, Inc., for the provision of therapeutic counseling and related services, for the term of three years from November 1, 2019 through October 31, 2022, with a maximum contractual obligation of $225,000; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 4148, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Federal 30%, Realignment 70%.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501-16508, HHSA’s Child Welfare Services (CWS) program is required to provide services to promote family reunification for children and families. Such services are designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children.
HHSA maintains agreements with multiple local vendors for the provision of therapeutic counseling and related services to ensure that clients can be referred by their caseworker on an "as requested" basis to receive necessary, and in some cases, Court-mandated services from the most appropriate and conveniently located vendor. Choice of vendor is based upon the specific needs of each individual HHSA client.
HHSA has contracted with A Balanced Life: Individual, Child, and Family Therapy, Inc. for therapeutic counseling and associated services in the South Lake Tahoe area since 2010. (File ID 16-1022) The services provided by A Balanced Life: Individual, Child, and Family Therapy, Inc. include counseling services, parenting classes, and psychological services. These services continue to be a successful tool to support families who are clients of the CWS program.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17, Section 7.11, 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 #4148 with A Balanced Life: Individual, Family, and Child Therapy, Inc.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts however there may be difficulty in meeting the service demands of the community and HHSA’s mandated services requirements, and there may be disruption of the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from this vendor.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 10/25/2016 file ID 16-1022, Title: A Balanced Life
2) 12/15/2015 file ID 14-0216, Title: 12/15/15 HHSA Balanced Life Amend
3) 11/13/2012 file ID 11-1111, Title: HHSA/SSD 11-13-12 A Balanced Life 224-S1110
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This Agreement for Services is a renewal of a prior year agreement and continues to be funded with Federal and State Funding as appropriate and with no General Fund Impact. Funds have been included in the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget for this purpose and will be included in future year budgets. No new costs are involved.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services #4148.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement #4148 to the Health and Human Services Agency Contracts Division.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities - Improved health, well-being and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Donald Semon, Director