Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 087-2020 thereby delegating authority to the Health and Human Services Agency’s Director of Mental Health, on behalf of the County, to accept annual funding and execute all necessary documents required to secure and maintain specific allocations issued by the Department of Health Care Services through June 30, 2021, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, as applicable;
2) Delegate authority to the Health and Human Services Agency’s Director of Mental Health to execute, on behalf of the County, additional documents related to those specific allocations, and any amendments thereto that do not increase net County cost, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, as applicable;
3) Approve and authorize the Health and Human Services Agency’s Director of Mental Health to execute any required programmatic reports for said allocations; and
4) Approve and authorize the Health and Human Services Agency’s Chief Fiscal Officer to execute any required fiscal reports for said allocations.
FUNDING: Federal and State funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Board of Supervisors Policy A-6, Grant Applications, establishes the Board as the sole authority for accepting grant awards and approving grant agreements. Over the years, and in accordance with said Policy, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has presented many funding/revenue agreements, grants, and other funding allocations to the Board for approval.
The Department of Health Care Services issues at least two annual revenue allocations/agreements to the Health and Human Services Agency that require signature by the HHSA Director of Mental Health. These include, but may not be limited to: 1) Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH); and 2) Community Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG). At this time HHSA is recommending the Board adopt and sign the attached Resolution delegating authority to the HHSA Director of Mental Health to accept and execute funding agreements requiring their signature.
PATH Funding
PATH funds are specifically designated for outreach, case management, staff training, referrals to primary health services, job training and relevant housing services for homeless clients of the Behavioral Health Division. Historically these requirements have been successfully fulfilled via subaward contracts with Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH).
MHBG Funding
Since 1997, the MHBG funds have been used in collaboration with other public and private organizations such as HHSA Social Services Programs and the County Office of Education to address the needs of children/ adolescents with serious emotional disturbance.
MHBG is comprised of funds to 1) support the County in carrying out plans for providing comprehensive community mental health services to adults (age 18 and over) with serious mental illnesses, and to children (under age 18) with serious emotional disturbances; 2) provide treatment to patients diagnosed with dual disorders (psychiatric disorders along with alcohol and other drug use disorders); and 3) provide treatment to adolescents and young adults who experience psychotic symptoms or a psychotic episode for the first time.
Additional Background
Each of the two referenced DHCS allocations (the PATH grant and the MHBG grant) require signature by the Mental Health Director.
For the past few years, the HHSA Director also served as the Mental Health Director; and the current HHSA Director served as the Interim Mental Health Director until April 2020, when the County hired a Director of Mental Health. At this time, HHSA is recommending the Board delegate authority to the Director of Mental Health to accept funding and execute specific revenue agreements issued by the Department of Health Care Services that require signature by a Mental Health Director, these include but may not be limited to the PATH and MHBG allocations.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of the Resolution will mean that HHSA will present these allocations individually to the Board to accept the funding and request that the Board delegate signature authority to the HHSA Director of Mental Health to sign all necessary documents to secure the funding.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with these revenue agreements. Sufficient appropriations will be included in the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair’s signature on one (1) original of the Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) certified Resolution to Health and Human Services Agency, Contracts Unit, 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Don Semon, Health and Human Services Agency Director