Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with Granite Wellness Centers for the provision of therapeutic counseling, residential substance use treatment and related services for Child Welfare Services and CalWORKs/Welfare-to-Work clients provided under Agreement 5668 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 5668 with Granite Wellness Centers, in the amount of $200,000, for the term beginning upon execution through October 31, 2024; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 5668, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING Funded with a blend of Federal Funds (60%) with County share of cost or required match (40%) met primarily with realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16501-16508, the Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) Child Welfare Services Program (CWS) 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. Additionally, Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11322.6 outlines CalWORKs/Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities, including counseling services necessary to obtain and retain employment. Therefore, HHSA is required to provide therapeutic counseling and substance abuse treatment services for clients engaged in CWS and CalWORKs/WTW programs. HHSA maintains agreements with multiple vendors for the provision of substance abuse treatment services to ensure that clients can be referred by their caseworker on an “as needed” basis to receive necessary and sometimes 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 Granite Wellness Centers (formerly known as Community Recovery Resources (CoRR)) since 2013. Granite Wellness Centers provides substance abuse services including substance abuse testing, residential living, and transitional living for both men and women in multiple locations close to El Dorado County. They also provide a variety of outpatient therapy services, including family, group, individual counseling, and parenting classes, an addition to the services provided in prior agreements. The services provided by Granite Wellness Centers are a successful tool to support HHSA clients in receiving services through the WTW and CWS programs.
On August 31, 2021, (File ID: 21-1151) the Board rescinded the previous direction from 2007, (File ID: 07-1474) to adhere to a standardized rate structure which used the State-approved Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) fee-for-service rate as a benchmark for the purchase of therapeutic counseling and other associated or like services for clients, and thereby approved a change to a negotiated rate determination for these services. HHSA has another contract for services with this vendor to serve clients of the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program. HHSA worked with the vendor to determine rates that aligned with the negotiated rates for the similar services to clients of the CWS and WTW programs of HHSA. For services that were unique to this agreement, new rates were negotiated.
HHSA recommends approval and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 5668.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts, however this would limit HHSA’s capacity for these services in meeting the County's mandates.
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) 08/31/2021, 21-1151, HHSA - CWS use of DMC Rates
6) 10/02/2007, 07-1474, Approval of current rate structure
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This agreement for services is a renewal of a prior year agreement and continues to be funded with federal funds and state realignment funds. Services to CPS and WTW families are continually budgeted and sufficient appropriations have been included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 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 5668.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement 5668 to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Suite B, Placerville, CA 95667
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency