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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 028-2020, which delegates authority to the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, to execute "Short-Term Residential Treatment Program (STRTP) Short-Form" boilerplate agreements; and
2) Approve the use of the "Short-Term Residential Treatment Program Short-Form” boilerplate agreements, with a term of 90 days and a maximum obligation of $9,999, on an “as needed” basis in order to place foster youth and children in need of Specialty Mental Health Services into an accredited STRTP facility.
FUNDING: Federal and State Funding: 50% Medi-Cal, 50% Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The County of El Dorado Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) contracts with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to be the Mental Health Plan (MHP) for the county (File ID 18-1110, Agenda # 14). As the MHP, HHSA is responsible to provide Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) to qualified residents of El Dorado County (El Dorado), including foster youth and children receiving services with HHSA, Child Welfare Services Division.
In 2016, Assembly Bill 1299 established presumptive transfer, which is the prompt transfer of the responsibility for providing and paying for SMHS for foster children and youth from the county of original jurisdiction to the county of residence.
In accordance with All County Letter No. 19-94, and Behavioral Health Information Notice No. 19-041 (distributed by the State of California Health and Human Services Agency) the county of original jurisdiction for foster youth or children placed out of the county of original jurisdiction is expected to be proactive in establishing contracts with a SMHS provider in order to deliver timely SMHS, when necessary. Further, the county of original jurisdiction is expected to waive the presumptive transfer in instances when the need for SMHS is expected to last six (6) months or less. Therefore, if an eligible El Dorado County child in need of SMHS is placed in an out-of-county accredited Short-Term Residential Treatment Program (STRTP), El Dorado County will need to enter into a contract with the STRTP to cover the cost of that placement.
This STRTP Short-Form template (Short-Form) has been developed for use in instances when HHSA needs to provide SMHS as described above, in a timely manner, with an accredited STRTP facility in which HHSA does not have an active agreement. The maximum term of the Short-Form is ninety (90) days, and the maximum obligation is not-to-exceed $9,999. If it is expected that the foster youth or child will need SMHS for a longer period of time, HHSA will use the ninety (90) days of the initial STRTP placement to enter into a longer, more formal agreement with the STRTP facility.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this STRTP Template, HHSA, as the MHP for the County, may have difficulty placing eligible El Dorado foster youth and children in a STRTP should the need arise, thus delaying timely delivery of services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
08/14/18, File ID 18-1110 HHSA DHCS Agreement 3190 (17-94580)
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:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Upon use of the boilerplate, agreements will be funded with Medi-Cal and Realignment funding sources, of which sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget, and will be included in future budgets.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to provide HHSA with a certified Minute Order approving the “Short-Term Residential Treatment Program” Template Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board to provide HHSA with a certified copy of the adopted Resolution as well as approving the “Short-Term Residential Treatment Program” agreement template.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County of El Dorado Strategic Plan Project - Healthy Communities; Improved health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director