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Health and Human Services Agency, Mental Health Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 192-S1711 with WellSpace Health, for the provision of alcohol and drug treatment services, for the term November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2019, with a maximum contractual obligation of $120,000; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 192-S1711, 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: State and Federal Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 192-S1711 with WellSpace Health to provide alcohol and drug treatment services for clients of HHSA. HHSA receives funding under an agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the provision of Substance Use Disorder prevention and treatment, which mandates HHSA to make substance abuse services available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Approval of this Agreement for Services will enable HHSA to continue to meet the service demands of the community, while also providing the service levels mandated by the funding agreement.
Additionally, HHSA has determined, in accordance with County Ordinance Section 3.13.030, the County has neither the facilities nor the staff available to meet the service requirements.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illness. SAMHSA offers many grant opportunities, including the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Federal block grant, which is mandated by the U.S. Congress to be used to fund substance abuse and mental health services. In California, the public system of care for the prevention and treatment of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is overseen by the DHCS and is administered by counties. DHCS annually receives SAPT, Medicaid, and State Behavioral Health Realignment funding that it makes available to counties to provide these mandated substance abuse prevention and treatment services.
One of the priorities of HHSA is to provide an array of evidence-based services designed to prevent and reduce alcoholism and drug addiction. HHSA’s Alcohol and Drug Programs accomplish this mission through education, prevention, treatment, and counseling services offered directly through contracts with community agencies. HHSA has contracted with WellSpace Health for the provision of alcohol and drug treatment services since 2013. In addition to WellSpace Health, HHSA contracts with other community-based organizations for alcohol and drug treatment services. Maximum contractual obligations are determined based on historical financial analysis, utilization, service availability, service location, and in consideration of other factors such as the Drug Medi-Cal services and Medi-Cal client eligibility.
ALTERNATIVES
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 192-S1711 will result in difficulty meeting the service demands of the community, may disrupt the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from WellSpace Health, and may result in an inability to provide the service levels mandated by the funding agreement.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Risk Management, and Human Resources.
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 2016-17 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 192-S1711.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Project 3.2, “External/Community Collaboration.”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D.,
Director