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Approve a Department of Health Care Services subaward revenue agreement with Heluna Health for $500,000 to support the trauma-informed approach public health nursing model provided in the Community Nursing IMPACT program for the term of December 3, 2024 through June 30, 2025; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request for $250,000 to recognize unanticipated grant revenue in FY2024/25 (4/5 vote required)
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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 Solano County Board of Supervisors approve a Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) subaward revenue agreement with Heluna Health for $500,000 to support the trauma-informed approach public health nursing model provided in the Community Nursing IMPACT program for the term of December 3, 2024 through June 30, 2025; and approve an Appropriation Transfer Request for $250,000 to recognize unanticipated grant revenue in FY2024/25 (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
As part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released a request seeking proposals for the third round of grant funding. In October 2023, Solano County Public Health submitted a grant proposal to DHCS as part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (EBP/CDEP) grant program. Models to be funded under this grant opportunity were to include early childhood wraparound services that provide preventive mental health services to children, youth, and families.
In September 2024, the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) notified Health and Social Services, Public Health Division, that Solano County’s submitted application, Trauma-Informed Approach Public Health Nursing Model (Community Nursing IMPACT program) was awarded $500,000 in CYBHI funds to expand client services. These funds shall serve families participating in Solano County’s IMPACT program and fund a full-time public health nurse position and an extra-help public health nurse position to address critical community child and youth behavioral health challenges. The Public Health Division notified DHCS of its intent to accept the award by close of business on October 4, 2024.
Heluna Health is the third-party administrator on behalf of DHCS to oversee the implementation of the CYBHI grant award.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The revenue received through the Heluna Health agreement will fund one full-time public health nurse position and an extra-help public health nurse position through June 30, 2025. Approval of the ATR will recognize $250,000 in unanticipated grant revenues for FY2024/25 and reduce the use of 1991 Public Health Realignment. Due to the award notification date of September 2024, H&SS will request a no-cost grant term extension. If granted, the funds for the extension period will be included in the FY2025/26 Requested Budget. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The Community Nursing IMPACT program was formerly known as District Nursing or Field Nursing, and its inception was more than 20 years ago. The program provides home visits and case management services to high-risk children, their parents, and families who do not meet the County's criteria for other evidence-based home visiting programs. In 2023, the program adopted a trauma-informed approach, integrating evidence-informed practices within the service model. The model is being studied in hopes that evidence-based status can be obtained and recognized as an approved evidence-based program. The program’s goals include improving the health of children and their families, mitigating toxic stress, and promoting resilience.
In September 2024, the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) recognized Solano County’s Community Nursing IMPACT program as strongly aligned with the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative and its potential to address California's critical child and youth behavioral health challenges. The funds will further develop the program and support increasing collaboration with perinatal mental health providers within the Public Health Division.
A full-time public health nurse position was previously funded through the State’s Targeted Case Management (TCM) program. However, with the State’s implementation of California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), the current TCM program and its funding will be ending. The public health nurse position and an extra-help public health nurse will be funded with revenue received through the agreement with Heluna Health.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the revenue contract with Heluna Health and the ATR; however, this is not recommended as the grant funding provides additional support to the Community Nursing IMPACT program that serves high-risk families.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
First 5 Solano and Solano County Child Welfare Services provided letters of support for the grant proposal.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION