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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 4877 with El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) for the provision of community-based engagement and support services, in the amount of $321,885, for the term effective upon execution through June 30, 2021;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with EDCOE for services provided under this Agreement 4877 because (B) “Specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in classifications are involved in the performance of the work;” and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 4877, 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: Mental Health Services Act, with expenditure offsets from other Federal, State and Local Funding Sources.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). MHSA imposes a one (1) percent tax on personal income in excess of $1,000,000. The funds from the tax are distributed to California counties and are intended to transform the Mental Health System into one that is consumer and family driven, is recovery-oriented, accessible and culturally competent, and offers services appropriate for the population that is served.
MHSA requires counties to prepare a three-year program and expenditure plan, known as the MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan and to prepare annual updates, known as Annual Updates. Through annual community program planning processes, the MHSA Plans and Updates are developed with input from local stakeholders.
MHSA established five (5) components that address specific goals for priority populations and key community mental health needs. The components are Prevention and Early Intervention, Community Services and Supports, Innovation, Workforce Education and Training, and Capital Facilities and Technology Needs. The Board of Supervisors must adopt MHSA Plans and Annual Updates. Additionally, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) must approve any MHSA Plans or Annual Updates that include new or modified Innovation Plans.
The Innovation component consists of projects that are designed to contribute to learning. The Community-based Supports and Engagement Project, also known as the “Community Hubs” project, was initially approved by the MHSOAC in August 2016. This Innovation project created an upstream prevention model where Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) employees (i.e., Public Health Nurses and Community Health Advocates) and El Dorado County Office of Education employees (i.e., Family Engagement Specialists) work together to provide an array of assessment, referral, and linkage services to the community through the access point of the libraries throughout El Dorado County.
The Community Hubs project started providing direct services to individuals in April 2017. Consistent with the objectives of Innovation, HHSA and community partners quickly learned that this project provided exceptional value to our community, but there were challenges inherent in the initial design, including staffing allocations. Family Engagement Specialists (FES) have a primary role of working with parents, guardians, families, and community agencies to support practices and approaches which meet the developmental needs of children age birth to five years old. El Dorado Office of Education (EDCOE) funds 2.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions. This allocation greatly limits program availability, especially when the FES provide services at all five county libraries and in the surrounding communities.
Therefore, through the 2018-19 and 2019-20 MHSA community program planning processes, the MHSA Project Team presented a modification proposal to stakeholders and community members that would include MHSA providing funding for an additional 2.5 FTE FES. Adding this allocation to the existing EDCOE allocation would enable each Hub to be staffed by 1.0 FTE. The community supported this modification. Through the MHSA Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 MHSA Annual Update, the Board of Supervisors approved this modification at their June 26, 2018 meeting (File 18-0874) and they approved the modification again at their June 25, 2019 meeting (File 19-0936).
On February 27, 2020, the MHSOAC approved HHSA’s request to modify the Community Hubs project, to include adding 2.5 FTE FES and adding 0.1 FTE Quality Improvement/Family Support Coordinator to the existing 2.5 FTEs funded by EDCOE.
Agreement #4877 between HHSA and EDCOE outlines the scope of work and compensation to allow MHSA to fund the FES and Quality Improvement/Family Support Coordinator.
This Agreement is in accordance with the FY 2020-23 MHSA Plan adopted by the Board on June 9, 2020 (File ID: 20-0446).
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 #4877 with EDCOE.
ALTERNATIVES:
Failure to approve Agreement #4877 will result in HHSA’s MHSA program to be out of compliance with the MHSOAC approved Community Hubs Innovation modification. It also will limit the service delivery provided by the FES.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 6/26/18,18-0874, MHSA FY 2018-19 Annual Update
2) 6/25/19,19-0936, MHSA Plan Update 2019-20
3) 6/09/20, 20-0446, MHSA Plan FY 2020-23
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Risk Management, and Human Resources.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
MHSA revenue and expenditures were included in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget, and will be included in future year budget requests. Additional revenue sources that offset the MHSA expenditures have also been budgeted. There is no Net County Cost associated with the MHSA program.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services #4877.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County of El Dorado Strategic Plan Project - Healthy Communities; Improved health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director