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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with Sierra Child and Family Services, Inc. for the provision of Student Outreach and Engagement Centers and Mental Health Supports at El Dorado High School District sites under Agreement 5463 because (B) “Specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in classifications are involved in the performance of the work;”
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 5463 with Sierra Child and Family Services, Inc., in the amount of $520,000 for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023; and
3) Authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 5463, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING: 100% State Funding: Mental Health Services Act Funding.
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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, recovery-oriented, accessible and culturally competent, and a system that 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. The plan has five (5) components intended to address specific goals for priority populations and other key community mental health needs, which are Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI), Community Services and Supports (CSS), Innovation (INN), Workforce Education and Training (WET), and Capital Facilities and Technology Needs (CFTN). Each year, Counties are required to follow a formal process for providing an annual update to the Plan, which requires Board approval. The purpose of the Update is to review the Plan's existing projects and, based upon their status or other identified needs, to make additions, modifications, or deletions to the Plan.
On June 9, 2020, the Board adopted and authorized implementation of the MHSA Fiscal Year 2020-21 - 2022-23 Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (File 20-0446). Included in the Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan is the Student Outreach and Engagement Centers and Mental Health Supports (Student Wellness Centers) project. Services provided in the project include mental health screenings, assessments, individual mental health clinical services, outreach and engagement, and linkage to County and community services. This two-year pilot project is currently set to end on June 30, 2021, however as youth in El Dorado County may experience varying mental health ramifications related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, community support for continuing the project has continued to grow over the past several months. As such, throughout the Community Program Planning Process for the most recent MHSA Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Annual Update, community stakeholders openly supported the Student Wellness Centers project and recommended it be extended to help meet this anticipated need. After analyzing the prospect of continuing the program by Behavioral Health Management, it was determined to meet criteria for continuation and the FY 2021-22 MHSA Annual Update (File 21-0713) adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 22, 2021 included this project.
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. The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has documentation on file that such a review was performed for Agreement #5463 with Sierra Child and Family Services, Inc.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, this MHSA project would be delayed until HHSA could vet another contractor willing and able to provide the project services. The length of time such a process could take would make HHSA out of compliance with the MHSA Plan. Further, Sierra Child and Family Services already has established office space at each high school identified in the project. It would be very difficult for a new contractor to obtain similar office space at the high schools.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 06/09/2020, 20-0446, MHSA FY 2020-21 through 2022-23 Three Year Program and Expenditure Plan
2) 06/22/2021, 21-0713, MHSA FY 2021-2022 Annual Update
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Information Technologies, and Risk Management. Auditor Controller notified per Board Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. This item will be funded with Mental Health Services Act funding. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 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 #5463; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Suite B.
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, Health and Human Services Agency Director