Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Mental Health Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 222-S1611 with Only Kindness, Inc., for the provision of outreach and engagement services to help individuals/families who are homeless or soon to be homeless and have a mental illness, expiring June 30, 2018, with a maximum contractual obligation of $105,216; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 222-S1611, 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: Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness Grant, Mental Health Services Act.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommends the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign an Agreement with Only Kindness, Inc. (Only Kindness) to provide outreach and engagement services to help individuals/families who are homeless or soon to be homeless and have a mental illness, expiring June 30, 2018, with a maximum contractual obligation of $105,216.
The County Mental Health Division provides medically necessary mental health services to individuals with a serious mental illness; the Mental Health Division does not operate an outreach or engagement program for the homeless. Only Kindness has an Accredited Disability Representative on staff trained to assist individuals in need of Social Security processing, and has infrastructure in place to implement the program immediately. Therefore, HHSA has determined, in accordance with Section 3.13.030 of the County ordinance, it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor for outreach and engagement services that require specialty skills to reach the target population of people with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On August 25, 2015, the Board adopted and authorized implementation of the FY 2015-16 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan Update (File ID 15-0964). Included in the approved FY 2015-16 MHSA Plan Update is the “Outreach and Engagement Services" program under the Community Services and Supports (CSS) component.
Incorporated into the CSS component is the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program, the objective of which is to provide “outreach and engagement services for individuals with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.”
HHSA was awarded the federal PATH grant effective July 1, 2015 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the amount of $35,072. The PATH formula grant is administered by the Center for Mental Health Services, a component of SAMHSA, and is intended to be used to provide services to a target population of people with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Services provided by Only Kindness in outreach and engagement of the target population will be partially funded by the PATH grant along with MHSA funding, and satisfy many of the requirements of the 2015-16 MHSA Plan Update regarding “Outreach and Engagement Services” in the PATH Program.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 222-S1611 will result in the County being out of compliance with the MHSA Plan Update for FY 2015-16 and the PATH program.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel 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. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget and will be incorporated in future budgets for the term of this 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 222-S1611.
2. Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Objective 3.3.3: Develop and implement programs in alignment with the currently approved Mental Health Service Act (MHSA) Plan.
CONTACT
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director