Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Mental Health Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Agreement 146-S1410 with Jackson & Coker LocumTenens, LLC for the provision of locum tenens psychiatrist services, extending the current term of September 6, 2013 through September 5, 2014, to end September 5, 2016, and increasing the maximum obligation to $282,000 for the term; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute further documents relating to the above noted Agreement, including amendments thereto, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management that do not affect the maximum dollar amount or the term.
FUNDING: State and Federal funding.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
Total Estimated Cost
..... |
$282,000 |
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|
|
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Original Agreement 146-S1410............. |
$62,000 |
Amendment I to 146-S1410
.. |
$220,000 |
Total Funding Available
.......... |
$282,000 |
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Change To Net County Cost
.......... |
$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14 Budget and will be included in subsequent FY budgets for the term of the Agreement.
Background
Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code Section 5897 directs the State to implement the mental health services defined in the W&I Code Section 5800 (Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act), Section 5840 (Prevention and Early Intervention Programs), and Section 5850 (The Children's Mental Health Services Act) through contracts with county mental health programs or with counties acting jointly. The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), on behalf of the County, contracts with the State to serve as the Mental Health Plan (MHP) for the County. As the MHP, the County is required to ensure various mental health services, including availability of psychiatrist services for treatment and medication.
On September 6, 2013, the original Agreement with Jackson & Coker LocumTenens, LLC (Jackson & Coker) was approved by the Purchasing Agent, for the provision of access to medical practitioners on an "as requested" basis to provide supplemental psychiatric services. Agreement for Services 146-S1410 was for the term September 6, 2013 through September 5, 2014, with a maximum obligation of $62,000. The County has not been successful in recruiting permanent part- or full-time psychiatrists despite long-term and continuous recruitment processes. Jackson & Coker has been providing supplemental psychiatrist staffing on an "as requested" basis since September 6, 2013, and their locum tenens psychiatrist provides treatment for several of the County Clients. In November 2013, Jackson & Coker responded immediately to a request by the County for additional psychiatrist hours to cover gaps in scheduling created by the loss of a contracted psychiatrist. Due to long-standing difficulties recruiting psychiatrist staff, the need for additional hours has continued longer than anticipated, resulting in this Amendment I to that Agreement 146-S1410.
Reason for Recommendation
Approval of Amendment I to Agreement for Services 146-S1410 will help ensure availability of supplemental psychiatrist staffing while HHSA continues ongoing recruitment to fill permanent part- or full-time psychiatrist positions. Failure to approve this Amendment will diminish the County's ability to fulfill services required by the MHP Agreement, and disrupt treatment of clients currently receiving services through the locum tenens psychiatrist.
Clerk of the Board Follow up Actions
1. Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair's signature on two (2) originals of Amendment I to Agreement 146-S1410.
2. Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road for processing.
Contact
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director
Concurrences
County Counsel and Risk Management