Title
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 Compassion Pathway Behavioral Health, LLC for the provision of licensed Social Rehabilitation Facility services under Agreement 6370 because there are specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 6370 with Compassion Pathway Behavioral Health, LLC in the amount of $3,120,000 for a term effective upon execution through March 31, 2025; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 6370, 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: Federal and State Funding: 50% Medi-Cal,50% Mental Health Realignment.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Acting as the Mental Health Plan for the County of El Dorado, the County has the obligation to provide eligible County residents with mental health services, including adult residential facility services in accordance with California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5600 et seq., 5775 et seq., 14000 et seq., and 17000 et seq. Adult residential facility services support the movement of Behavioral Health (BH) Clients from restricted living environments to less restricted independent living in the community, either an Adult Residential Facility (ARF) or a Social Rehabilitation Facility (SRF). To meet the demand for Client ARF and SRF placements, the County contracts with facilities in and out of the county; however, bed availability is limited, which may result in long wait times for client admissions.
Most recently, Summitview Child & Family Services (SVCFS) has provided the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) in-county adult residential facility services via Agreement 862 (456-S1411), which was first approved by the Board on May 13, 2014. The Board approved Amendments 1 and 2, which extended the original contract end date through June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021, respectively. The Board also approved Amendment 3, which extended the term date one last time to June 30, 2022, with the understanding that SVCFS would close its doors and would no longer operate its facility past that date.
In preparation for SVCFS’s closure in 2022, the County released Request for Proposal No. 21-952-04 on May 21, 2021 for an entity to establish an in-county facility that provides ARF services. On August 31, 2021, the Board awarded said proposal to Compassion Pathway Behavioral Health, LLC (CPBH) to establish an SRF, which provides services that are consistent with an ARF; and on December 14, 2021, the Board approved the Funding Out Agreement 6133 for CPBH to startup an SRF facility on the West Slope of El Dorado County. While these steps have been underway, SVCFS submitted their 30-day notice of contract cancellation nine months prior to their scheduled contract termination of June 30, 2022, resulting in HHSA having to immediately find new placements for six (6) BH Clients out-of-county and increasing the need for available SRF and ARF providers.
Further, CPBH recently opened a SRF facility in the County of Placer named Cirby Ranch SRF; and anticipates a July 1, 2022 startup of the West Slope of El Dorado County facility, as a result of Agreement 6133, named Compassion Springs SRF. Due to HHSA’s high need for beds, HHSA has determined that a single Agreement with CPBH for both facilities was warranted. Therefore, this proposed Agreement for Services 6370 with CPBH is for the Placer County location and their future in-county location, contingent on its licensure by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. The Agreement dedicates six (6) beds to the County at the in-county SRF, consistent with the prior in-county agreement with SCVFS. No payments will be made to Compassion Springs SRF (in-county location) until clients are placed in the facility and services are provided.
The Manager of Mental Health Programs with oversight of BH Client ARF and SRF placements has been assigned to the role of Contract Administrator for these types of agreements, as this position is crucial for effectively monitoring contractor services, contract expenditures, and ensuring compliance with contract terms and conditions.
HHSA is recommending the Board approve this Agreement 6370 to ensure mandated services can be provided immediately to HHSA BH Clients at the Cirby Ranch SRF, and in-County placements are available on the date the Compassion Springs SRF opens on the Western Slope of El Dorado County.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA will continue to provide services through existing agreements. In addition, placing clients at the Compassion Springs facility (West Slope) could be delayed if an agreement is not already in place at the time the licensing is approved. This would result in clients remaining in a higher level of care for longer than necessary, increasing costs to realignment funding.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 05/13/14, 14-0446, HHSA Summitview Child & Family Services Agreement 456-S1411
2) 06/04/19, 19-0515, HHSA Summitview Child and Family, 862 Amendment I
3) 06/09/20, 20-0474, HHSA Summitview Child & Family Services, 862 Amendment II
4) 08/31/21, 21-1308, Award RFP No. 21-952-041, Adult Residential Treatment Services
5) 12/14/21, 21-0410, HHSA Compassion Pathway Behavioral Health, 6133
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Auditor Controller, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts, 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 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
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original Agreement for Services 6370.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan, Healthy Communities: Improved health, weIl-being and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents and visitors.
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency