Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 5495 with Sierra Child & Family Services, Inc., for the provision of Specialty Mental Health Services for children and young adults, in the amount of $5,344,136, for the term of 3 years from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024;
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 5495, including amendments which do not increase the Not-to-Exceed dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
3) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with Sierra Child & Family Services, Inc. for services provided under Agreement 5495 because specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work.
FUNDING: Traditional Services: 50% Federal Medi-Cal, 50% Realignment
Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Services: 50% Federal Medi-Cal, 50% MHSA .
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Mental Health Plan (MHP) in each county is responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) to local residents that are Medi-Cal beneficiaries. When the provision SMHS is being considered, this means that the impact of the beneficiary’s condition is severe enough for him or her to require the services of a specialist as opposed to a generalist in the field of mental health. Acting as the MHP for the County of El Dorado, the County has the obligation to provide eligible children and young adult residents with access to designated SMHS, including acute psychiatric care, in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 5600 et seq., 5775 et seq., 14000 et seq., and 17000 et seq.
This proposed Agreement with Sierra Child & Family Services, Inc. (SCFS) is a renewal of Agreement #3481 approved by the Board on December 4, 2018 (File ID: 18-1765, Agenda No. 10). A continued agreement with SCFS would ensure the ongoing provision of SMHS to children and young adults while ensuring compliance with all federal and state requirements, and it will uphold parameters such as consistency in service delivery expectations, performance measures and outcomes, productivity, and funding. To date, SCFS performance measures for services provided under Agreement #3481 have indicated that they are providing high quality SMHS to eligible children and young adult residents.
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. The review must be conducted by a group of qualified individuals, including at least one representative from outside the department requesting the services, that have the expertise to judge the contractor’s ability to perform the services. HHSA has documentation on file that such a review was performed for Agreement #5495 with SCFS. Lastly, and in support of this item, HHSA is recommending that the Board find that in accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 of the County Ordinance, the County has neither the facilities nor staff required to perform specialty mental health services.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) would continue to provide services through contracts with other vendors. However, HHSA will be limited in its capacity to provide SMHS and clients currently receiving services from SCFS will experience a disruption in the continuity of SMHS.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 12/04/18, 18-1765, HHSA Sierra Child & Family Services, 3481
2) 10/13/15, 15-1138, Sierra Child and Family Services Agreement 170-S1611
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Procurement and Contracts, Human Resources, and Risk Management. Auditor Controller was notified.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This Agreement for services is a renewal of a prior agreement and continues to be funded with Mental Health Services Act and State Realignment funding, as well as Medi-Cal reimbursement of approximately 50%. The maximum obligation has increased in conjunction with an approximate 3% rate increase each fiscal year. Funds have been allocated for this Agreement in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget request, and will be continue to be allocated in future fiscal years for the duration 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 #5495.
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 Goal: Healthy Communities - Improved health, well-being and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency