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Approve a second contract amendment with Sierra Vista Hospital for $210,000 for a total contract amount of $685,832 to provide psychiatric medical services for the current period through June 30, 2024; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the amendment and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health & Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve a second contract amendment with Sierra Vista Hospital for $210,000 for a total contract amount of $685,832 to provide psychiatric medical services for the current period through June 30, 2024; and delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the amendment and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Sierra Vista Hospital is a full-service mental health facility providing inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services. Under the current contract, Sierra Vista Hospital provides assessment, diagnosis, and acute psychiatric inpatient treatment services for Solano County clients in a 24-hour secure setting. Individuals are typically admitted to Sierra Vista Hospital when placed on a Welfare and Institution (W&I) Code section 5150 indicating that the individual is a danger to self, others, or gravely disabled due to mental illness.
On June 28, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved a $475,832 utilization-based contract with Sierra Vista Hospital for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024. The first contract amendment was executed on July 1, 2022 to update the provider rate cost details without impacting the total contract amount. This second contract amendment represents an increase of $210,000 for a total contract amount of $685,832 and is necessary to continue and expand psychiatric services for mental health clients through June 30, 2024.
Locked inpatient psychiatric hospitals such as Sierra Vista are essential in providing a therapeutic clinical environment to effectively and rapidly treat adolescents, adults and older adults suffering from acute psychiatric issues. In an acute inpatient program, the client receives an initial assessment, diagnosis, and rapid stabilization of acute psychiatric and co-occurring disorders (psychiatric and substance abuse disorders), with admissions typically ranging from ten to fourteen days, followed by a transition to less intensive, appropriate levels of follow-up care and support. Obtaining inpatient psychiatric hospital beds has become a more significant challenge each year as overall demand has increased, particularly for the placement of adolescents. In contrast, the number of available beds for placement has remained flat. Sierra Vista Hospital has demonstrated the ability to provide this specialized level of care to meet the inpatient psychiatric needs of Solano County’s most vulnerable behavioral health clients.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The contract amendment is funded with 1991 and 2011 Realignment as services provided by this facility are not Medi-Cal billable. Appropriations are available in the FY2023/24 Working Budget for this amendment. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the contract amendment for Sierra Vista Hospital. This is not recommended as the County is mandated to provide psychiatric services for clients served in the County mental health system. This amendment will ensure continued inpatient psychiatric hospitalization services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the contract for legal sufficiency.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION