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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 4121 with Wellspace Health, for the provision of inpatient detoxification, residential alcohol and drug treatment services, counseling services, and substance abuse testing on an “as requested” basis for clients referred by the County of El Dorado Health and Human Services Agency, in the amount of $325,000, for the term of November 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is more economical and feasible to contract with Wellspace Health for services provided under this Agreement 4121 because the County has neither the staff nor facilities to provide 24x7 residential treatment and detoxification services; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 4121, 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: AB109 and MHSA.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
One of the priorities of the Health and Human Services Agency (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.
Services under this Agreement are necessary to reduce capacity issues with other providers and co-occurring specialty services. The shorter term, compared to the prior Agreement, was selected to allow sufficient time for Wellspace Health to complete Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) certification. Once Wellspace Health becomes DMC-ODS certified, this Agreement for Services 4121 will be terminated and replaced.
Maximum contractual obligations are determined based on historical financial analysis, utilization, service availability, and service location. Historically, SUD has not had enough funds allocated to cover SUD client needs for withdrawal management and residential treatment, which has resulted in waitlists. In March 2019, $165,000 MHSA funding was added to the contract to service Mental Health Plan (MHP) clients who needed substance use disorder treatment. This was done to reduce the impact that MHP client treatment services had on the smaller SUD allocation for Wellspace Health to treat community clients and AB109 clients. Due to the DMC-ODS, more AB109 funding is available to allocate to Wellspace Health. Existing AB109 funding of $160,000 coupled with the MHSA funding of $165,000 added in March 2019 brought the March 2019 Amendment (Legistar 18-1956) to a total Not to Exceed amount of $325,000. It is recommended that the new contract remain at this level.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17, Section 7.11, the contractor selection process for service contracts in excess of $100,000 must include a review of the scope of services and contractor’s professional qualifications by a group of individuals (including at least one representative from outside the department requesting the services) qualified to judge the contractor’s ability to perform the services. HHSA has documentation on file that such a review was performed for Agreement 4121 with Wellspace Health.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 4121 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 State.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 10/11/16 16-0955 Prior Agreement - Approved
2) 03/12/19 18-1956 Prior Agreement A1 - Approved
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:
This Agreement for Services is a renewal of a prior Agreement. Services are funded with State funds: AB109 and MHSA, and while the terms are essentially the same, the scope has been adjusted to align with current practice. The rates for services provided in the new Agreement are identical to the most recent Amendment of the prior Agreement. Sufficient appropriations for anticipated usage were included in the fiscal year 2019-20 budget, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement. In addition, the Agreement includes the standard County language "Fiscal Considerations" which allows for the Agreement to be terminated in event of insufficient funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services 4121; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Suite B.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director