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Approve a fifth contract amendment with Ujima Family Services for $197,838 for a total contract amount of $411,211 to provide outpatient substance use disorder treatment services from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the retroactive amendment
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors Approve a fifth contract amendment with Ujima Family Services for $197,838 for a total contract amount of $411,211 to provide outpatient substance use disorder treatment services from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020; and delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the retroactive amendment.
SUMMARY:
In July 2019, the County amended its contract with Ujima Family Services to provide outpatient substance use disorder services in Vallejo. The contract change was necessary because the prior service provider in Vallejo filed bankruptcy and closed, leaving only one other small agency to provide substance use disorder outpatient treatment in Vallejo. Offering substance use disorder services in each geographic area of the county is important to enable access and engagement in treatment.
Ujima began serving Solano County clients in November 2019. A subsequent amendment was intended to fund three months of services, anticipating timely transition of the contract to Partnership Health Plan under the Organized Delivery System (ODS) implementation. However, ODS implementation did not occur in February 2020 as planned, due to delays required by the State Department of HealthCare Services. As a result, Ujima continued to provide services to Solano County clients beyond the three month period originally anticipated. Ujima agency recently received its Drug Medi-Cal certification from the State Department of HealthCare Services. This certification enables the County to bill Medi-Cal for services provided retroactively since the inception of this outpatient contract. The certification also enables the agency to enter into an ODS contract for outpatient services with Partnership Health Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with this fifth contract amendment were accrued at FY2019/20 fiscal year end. Funding for this amendment is Substance Abuse Block Grant and 2011 Realignment, and approval of this amendment has no impact on County General Fund.
The cost of preparing the agenda item is nominal and included in the Department’s FY2020/21 Preliminary Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The contract with Ujima Family Services was first initiated on July 1, 2017 for delivery of residential drug treatment services. This contract did not specify a maximum amount, as residential contracts are reimbursed in accordance with the aggregate dollar value of the Service Authorizations executed between Solano County and the contractor. While the original contract language allowed for outpatient treatment in the Scope of Work, this aspect of the contract was not previously exercised nor funded. The first contract amendment on April 23, 2018 increased the rate for residential treatment in accordance with costs and rates that were comparable with the other County contracts with the vendor. The second contract amendment on July 11, 2019 added funds for outpatient services. The third (September 24, 2019) and fourth (March 26, 2020) contract amendments were technical in nature to align the budget with actual implementation costs. This proposed fifth amendment is made to reimburse the agency for services provided in 2020 prior to the July 1, 2020 contract with Partnership Health Plan for Organized Delivery System implementation. Future services will be delivered under the ODS contract with Partnership Health Plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the contract. This is not recommended as this is an essential service for the community with substance use disorders in Vallejo.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
No other County agencies are involved.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION