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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 4285 with A Helping Hand Homecare, LLC, for the provision of in-home and community support services, in the amount of $900,000 for the term of three years from December 1, 2019 through December 31, 2022;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is more economical and feasible to contract with A Helping Hand Homecare, LLC for services provided under this Agreement 4285 because the County does not possess the staff to perform said services; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 4285, 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: 100% State Funding - Mental Health Services Act.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5600.1, “The mission of California’s mental health system shall be to enable persons experiencing severe and disabling mental illnesses …to access services and programs that assist them, in a manner tailored to each individual, to better control their illness, to achieve their personal goals, and to develop skills and supports leading to their living in the most constructive and satisfying lives possible in the least restrictive available settings.” To facilitate this mission, the Board approved Agreement 444 with A Helping Hand Homecare, LLC (A Helping Hand) on October 11, 2016 (File ID: 16-0976, Item No. 21) for the provision of an in-home and community support services.
In addition, California voters passed Proposition 63 (MHSA), in November 2004 and MHSA was enacted into law January 1, 2005. MHSA imposes a one percent (1%) tax on personal taxable income above $1,000,000. The funds are distributed to the counties throughout the State and are intended to transform the mental health system into one that is focused on wellness, recovery, and resiliency.
Under MHSA, each county is required to develop a Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (Plan), therefore, on June 20, 2017, the Board adopted and authorized implementation of the MHSA FY 2017-18 through FY 2019-20 Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (File 17-0551, Item 33). The Community Services and Supports component of the Plan is comprised of the Full Service Partnership (FSP) project to assist specific clients who are able to live independently and function at a high level, as long as they receive specific in-home supportive services. This Agreement with A Helping Hand will allow the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to continue to implement the FSP project, and avoid placing high functioning clients in more costly and more restrictive residential treatment centers.
A Helping Hand is an assisted living service that offers twenty-four hour personalized, professional assistance with homecare and non-emergency medical transportation needs throughout El Dorado County. The County has contracted with A Helping Hand since 2008.
In accordance with County Policy C-17, Section 4.4, HHSA is recommending the Board of Supervisors note that the expiring Agreement 444 with A Helping Hand included similar services funded by the State MHSA Program, as well as the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) and the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP), both of which are federally funded programs. This combination of funding sources (MHSA and MSSP/FCSP) created a perception of federal funding requirements being applied to services that were actually being provided under the MHSA program. To ensure clarity, Agreement 4285 includes only MHSA funded services; the Agreement for Services 4405 under the MSSP and FCSP Programs has been developed separately and will be submitted to the Purchasing Agent for approval upon completion.
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 4285 with A Helping Hand Homecare, LLC.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts; however, the continuity of care for clients receiving services from this vendor may be disrupted.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 10/11/16, 16-0976, HHSA A Helping Hand Agreement
2) 6/20/17, 17-0551, MHSA FY 2017-18 through 2019-20 Three Year Program and Expenditure Plan
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts, 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. This item will be funded with Mental Health Services Act funding. Based on historical spending, costs have averaged $120,000 per year; sufficient appropriations were included in the fiscal year 2019-2020 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 4285.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan, Healthy Communities goal, Objective 4: “Achieve better outcomes for children, young adults, and families in the areas of mental illness and substance abuse prevention.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director