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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 that it is appropriate to contract with Lake Tahoe Community College District for the purpose of a subcontract with TimelyCare for the provision of mental health services, provided under Agreement 5861 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 5861 with Lake Tahoe Community College District, with a not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $80,000, and for a term effective upon execution through June 30, 2023; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director or their designee to execute further documents relating to Agreement 5861, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING: State Funding: 100% Mental Health Services Act.
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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.
Under MHSA, each county is required to develop a Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (Plan), followed by two subsequent years of Annual Updates to the original Plan. The purpose of the Annual Update is to review existing projects and to make deletions, modifications, or additions to the original Plan. Therefore, planning, implementing, and updating each Plan and Annual Update is an ongoing, annual process. MHSA established five (5) components that address specific goals for priority populations and key community mental health needs. Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI), is one component of MHSA, which focuses on education, supports, early interventions and a reduction in disparities for underserved and unserved groups seeking access to mental health services.
The Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) MHSA Annual Update for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22, approved by the Board on June 22, 2021, included a component modification to PEI for the TimelyMD Project to be implemented on the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) campus. During the feedback period to the annual update, which is a required component of MHSA plan updates, some community needs and priorities were identified specific to how MHSA may expand mental health services access for children and young adults. One strategy that came up, specific to the South Lake Tahoe area, was related to exploring ways that MHSA funding could increase access to mental health services in local college campuses, hence the TimelyMD Project being considered and incorporated into the plan at that time. The goal of this effort will be to ensure that LTCC students can have direct access to mental health services that they may be eligible for as students. TimelyMD (now known as TimelyCare) is an entity that provides mental health services to community colleges. TimelyCare does not contract with counties, therefore, LTCC has agreed to subcontract with TimelyCare to provide these mental health services.
In Agreement 5861, LTCC agrees that is will utilize the funds provided through this Agreement to subcontract with TimelyCare for their Mental Health Care Services equivalent to at least the “Bronze Mental Health” plan to allow students of LTCC direct access to mental health services. The “Bronze Mental Health” plan provides the same level of mental health services originally identified as the “Silver” level of service in the MHSA Plan Annual Update, the difference being that the “Silver” level of services also included general health care.
Lastly, LTCC will ensure that all necessary MHSA Outcome Measures and reports are submitted as required by the MHSA Plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through existing contracts.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 06/09/20, 20-0446, HHSA Mental Health Services Act Plan FY 2020-21 - FY 2022-23
2) 06/22/21, 21-0713, HHSA Mental Health Services Plan Update FY 2021-22
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the FY 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 5861; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Rd, Suite B.
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