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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 4359 with Psychological Assessment Systems Inc., doing business as (dba) New Horizons Child and Family Services for the provision of intensive in-home family treatment services, in the amount of $90,000, for the term upon execution through January 31, 2023;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 (C) “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;” to provide services as defined in the contract with New Horizons Child and Family Services agreement 4359; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 4359, 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 and State Funding: 50% Medi-Cal; 50% Mental Health Services Act.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
This Agreement with Psychological Assessment Systems Inc., dba New Horizons Child and Family Services (NHCF) provides services to eligible children and youth and their families through MHSA’s Community Services and Supports component of the MHSA FY 2017-20 Plan and subsequent Annual Updates. NHCF’s model utilizes video cameras in the home allowing for real-time parental and client coaching. These unique Intensive In-Home Family Treatment (IIFT) services are designed to support severely emotionally disturbed (SED) children and youth with the goal of avoiding stressful and costly out of home placements.
NHCF was founded in 2012, has been providing IIFT services since 2017, and its founder has been part of the County of El Dorado (County) mental health community for over 30 years. This is NHCF’s first agreement with the County.
California voters passed Proposition 63 (MHSA), in November 2004 and MHSA was enacted into law January 1, 2005. MHSA imposes a one percent (1%) tax on personal income above $1,000,000. The funds are distributed to the counties throughout the State and are intended to transform the mental health system into one that is focused on wellness, recovery, and resiliency.
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.
On June 20, 2017, the Board adopted and authorized implementation of the MHSA FY 2017-2018 through FY 2019-20 Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (File 17-0551, Item 33). On June 26, 2018, the Board adopted and authorized implementation of the MHSA FY 2018-19 Annual Update (File 18-0874, Item 47). On June 25, 2019, the Board adopted and authorized implementation of the MHSA FY 2019-20 Annual Update (File 19-0936, Item 44).
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, unique and valuable IIFT services in support of the MHSA FY 2017-20 Plan and subsequent Annual Updates will be delayed, or possibly made unavailable, to the SED children and youth of the County.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 6/20/17, 17-0551, MHSA FY 2017-18 through 2019-20 Three Year Program and Expenditure Plan
2) 6/26/18, 18-0874, MHSA FY 2018-19 Annual Update
3) 6/25/19, 19-0936, MHSA FY 2019-20 Annual Update
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. This item will be funded with Mental Health Services Act funding. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services 4359.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan, Healthy Communities goal, Objective 4: “Achieve better outcomes for children, young adult, and families in the areas of mental illness and substance abuse prevention.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director