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Approve a fourth amendment to the contract with A Better Way, Inc. (ABW) for $525,000 for a total contract amount of $2,743,859 for the current period through June 30, 2017 to provide school-based mental health services to children between the ages of 6-18 years of age, pursuant to the Solano County Three Year Integrated Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan FY2014/15 through FY2016/17; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the 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 approve a fourth amendment to the contract with A Better Way, Inc. (ABW) for $525,000 for a total contract amount of $2,743,859 for the current period through June 30, 2017 to provide school-based mental health services to children between the ages of 6-18 years of age, pursuant to the Solano County Three Year Integrated Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan for FY2014/15 through FY2016/17; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the amendment.
SUMMARY:
MHSA programs address a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, and direct services along with the necessary infrastructure, technology and training elements to effectively support the mental health system. Counties serve as administrator for MHSA programs and are required to create and implement with the local community three-year integrated plans. This recommended contract amendment with ABW will provide important mental health care for an increased number of school-age children at school sites in low income areas and in communities with the highest percentage of Latino, Filipino and Pacific Islander families, and English language learners and increase access to youth involved with the juvenile justice system as well as commercially and sexually exploited children. Furthermore, ABW will expand current services to Central and North County school districts where services are currently limited and allow ABW to provide a full-time solely dedicated clinician to be co-located at the Sullivan Interagency Youth Services Center located within the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) monies will fund this contract amendment. The recommended amendment will increase the existing contract by $525,000, for a total contract amount of $2,743,859. Appropriation is available in the Department’s FY2016/17 Approved Budget. If funding for the contract is reduced or eliminated, the contract contains language that the County can modify or terminate the agreement with notice. There is no additional financial impact to the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The Three Year Integrated Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan for FY2014/15 through FY2016/17 was approved by the Board on March 25, 2014, in accordance with State regulation which requires counties to develop an integrated system of care and to submit three year spending plans to the California Department of Health Care Services. The goal of MHSA is to transform the existing mental health service system through specific components including: Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI), Community Services and Supports (CSS), Innovation (INN), Workforce Education and Training (WET), and Capital Facilities and Technology (Cap/IT), all aimed at providing services to those most affected by serious mental illness.
On August 12, 2014, the Board approved a contract with ABW for $966,000 for the period beginning August 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017 to provide school-based mental health services to children between the ages of 6-18. Services include prevention approaches such as screening/assessment, training, linkages to care, and mental health treatment. On April 7, 2015, the Board approved a contract amendment with ABW for $202,859 for an updated contract total of $1,168,859 which helped to continue services for children and youth formerly being treated by Youth and Family Services which ceased operations. On January 1, 2016 the Board approved a second amendment of $450,000, for updated contract total of $1,618,859 to expand school based mental health services for school sites in Vallejo and Benicia communities. On June 14, 2016, the Board approved a third amendment for the amount of $600,000, for an updated contract total of $2,218,859 for the continual expansion of school based mental health services in the Vallejo and Benicia areas.
Due to decreased capacity issues in the County’s organizational provider network, this fourth proposed amendment of $525,000, for a new contract total of $2,743,859 is needed to maintain and expand mental health services within the Vallejo and Benicia areas and in the Central and North County school districts. As part of the scope of work, ABW shall serve students in low-income areas, and schools with high percentages of traditionally underserved populations including but not limited to: youth and families served by the criminal justice system; Latino, Filipino, Pacific Islander, and Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) populations. Furthermore, ABW will dedicate a full-time Mental Health Clinician to be co-located at the Sullivan Interagency Youth Services Center to provide mental health services to school-aged youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system. Through a strengths-based, person-centered, safe, effective, timely and equitable approach, clients will be supported towards the goal of wellness and recovery. ABW will ensure that service frequency is individualized and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services based upon the need of each client.
Benchmarks for success for each program activity or treatment approach will be developed in collaboration with the County. Overall, this amendment will provide critical mental health treatment for children and families who are a part of traditionally underserved and unserved communities.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve this fourth amendment with ABW. This is not recommended as it would prevent the County from completing program requirements established in the MHSA Plan and result in a lack of adequate mental health services to school age youth which may additionally result in increased negative outcomes for this population.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County FY2014/17 MHSA Integrated Plan was developed through a comprehensive, countywide planning process which gathered input from a variety of stakeholders, including community based organizations, service providers, law enforcement, hospitals and other medical providers, and mental health consumers and their families. County Counsel has reviewed the contract amendment for legal sufficiency.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION