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Approve a contract with Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc. for $137,280 to provide physical and occupational therapist staffing services for the current period through September 30, 2026; Approve a first contract amendment with Capuchino Therapy Group for $59,280 for a total contract amount of $118,560 for the current period through June 30, 2026 to provide physical and occupational therapist staffing services; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and 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, Public Health Division, recommends the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a contract with Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc. for $137,280 for the current period through September 30, 2026, to provide physical and occupational therapist staffing services;
2. Approve a first contract amendment with Capuchino Therapy Group for $59,280 for a total contract amount of $118,560 for the current period through June 30, 2026, to provide physical and occupational therapist staffing services; and
3. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and amendment, and any subsequent amendments with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999.
SUMMARY:
Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc. and Capuchino Therapy Group are locum tenens staffing agencies specializing in recruiting and placing licensed professionals, including physical therapists and occupational therapists. The Health and Social Services, Public Health Division is required, under its contract with the California Department of Health Care Services, California Children's Services, to provide medical therapy services to clients. Statewide and local shortages of physical and occupational therapists necessitate immediate action to ensure the provision of these services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
These contracts are funded with the California Children’s Services allocation and 1991 Health Care Realignment. Appropriations are included in the FY2025/26 Working Budget. There is no additional financial impact on the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Health & Social Services Public Health, Medical Therapy Program, is a mandated service provided to children with specific medical conditions. Established in 1968 through the Robert Crown Act, which designated county responsibility for administering programs locally, the Medical Therapy Program provides physical and occupational therapy services to vulnerable children, enabling them to achieve maximum function and independence. California Law (Cal. Health & Safety Code §123800 et seq. and Cal. Code Regs., tit. 22, §51013) mandates that counties provide medical therapy services to eligible children through collaborative efforts among the County, California Children’s Services (CCS), and local education partners.
Statutory obligations require counties to staff highly specialized and often hard-to-fill clinical positions, including pediatric physical and occupational therapists who are essential for meeting CCS timelines, processing service authorizations, and ensuring continuity of care. Statewide workforce shortages and a highly competitive labor market remain significant barriers to maintaining adequate CCS staffing capacity. To maintain continuity of services while permanent recruitment is underway, the County will temporarily utilize specialized staffing agencies that recruit and place licensed physical and occupational therapists through these contracts. This targeted, short-term staffing solution addresses statewide and local workforce shortages, stabilizes operations, and ensures children continue to receive required therapy services without disruption.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve this contract; however, this is not recommended as the County is mandated to provide specialty Medical Therapy Services to eligible children through the California Children's Services program, as required by the California Department of Health Care Services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Health & Social Services has worked closely with the Department of Human Resources to recruit key healthcare professionals to fill positions in California Children’s Services’ program. The Department of Human Resources has also, in accordance with AB339, provided the required notice to recognized employee organizations of this request.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION