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Approve a contract with Sierra Vista Hospital for $767,390 to provide acute psychiatric inpatient treatment services for Solano County Medi-Cal beneficiaries, for the current period through June 30, 2028; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999 per fiscal year
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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 recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a contract with Sierra Vista Hospital for $767,390 to provide acute psychiatric inpatient treatment services for Solano Country Medi-Cal beneficiaries, for the current period through June 30, 2028; and
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999 per fiscal year.
SUMMARY:
Sierra Vista Hospital provides acute psychiatric inpatient services for Solano County Medi-Cal beneficiaries and indigent individuals referred-by Solano County Behavioral Health or local emergency departments. The hospital provides assessment, diagnosis, and 24-hour secure inpatient psychiatric treatment for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises.
Individuals are typically admitted following placement on an involuntary hold pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5150, 5250, or 5270, when an individual is determined to be a danger to self, a danger to others, or gravely disabled as a result of a mental health disorder. Approval of this contract authorizes continued funding for the provision of medically necessary inpatient psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health conditions through June 30, 2028.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
County General Fund, 1991 Realignment, and 2011 Realignment provide funding for this agreement. Appropriations are included in the FY2026/27 Working Budget. There is no additional requests for County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
Locked inpatient psychiatric hospitals provide essential, structured treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms. These facilities are a required component of the County’s behavioral health crisis continuum and are necessary to meet statutory obligations under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5150, 5250, or 5270 to detain, assess, and treat individuals who are determined to be a danger to self, a danger to others, or gravely disabled due to a mental health disorder.
Services include rapid assessment, diagnosis, and stabilization of psychiatric and co-occurring disorders, intensive physician oversight, individualized treatment planning, therapeutic programming, and coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care and safe transition back to the community. Access to locked inpatient psychiatric beds is critical to ensure timely placement during psychiatric emergencies, prevent prolonged emergency department boarding, and maintain compliance with state-mandated involuntary treatment requirements.
Demand for inpatient psychiatric beds continues to exceed available capacity, with County placement volumes exceeding projections and per-bed rates increasing. The contract is necessary to maintain and expand access to inpatient psychiatric services at Sierra Vista Hospital.
Since 2015, the Board of Supervisors has approved agreements with Sierra Vista Hospital for psychiatric services. The most recent agreement expired June 30, 2026, necessitating a new agreement to be executed to access the services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve this contract with Sierra Vista Hospital. This is not recommended as the County is mandated to provide psychiatric inpatient services for clients in the County Behavioral Health Services Division who need mental health care for their own safety and the safety of the community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreements as to form.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION