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Approve a first amendment with Caminar Inc. for $1,173,571, for a total contract amount of $1,545,990, to expand Wellness and Recovery Center programming and extend the contract through June 30, 2021; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the amendment and any subsequent amendments that remain within budgeted appropriations
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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 approve a first amendment with Caminar Inc. for $1,173,571, for a total contract amount of $1,545,990, to expand Wellness and Recovery Center programming and extend the contract through June 30, 2021; and authorize the County Administrator to execute the amendment and any subsequent amendments that remain within budgeted appropriations.
SUMMARY:
The Wellness and Recovery Center, a component of Caminar, is a peer run Wellness and Recovery Center in the city of Vallejo. Caminar will be taking over the operation of the existing Wellness Center currently operated by Circle of Friends, which operates a center in Fairfield and a smaller satellite center in Vacaville. Caminar will offer a comprehensive set of peer run services across the county and will continue to employ staff from Circle of Friends. Additionally, the contract will be extended through June 30, 2021 to ensure continuity of services.
Solano County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Integrated Three-Year Program Plan FY2017/20 is a response to the county’s increasing need to provide a comprehensive array of mental health services encompassing prevention, early intervention, and treatment services along with the necessary infrastructure, technology and training elements to effectively support the mental health system. MHSA funded treatment services include recovery-orientated services for adults with severe mental health conditions. Wellness centers are a critical component of MHSA programming.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
MHSA Community Services and Supports revenue will fund the contract amendment. This first contract amendment for $1,173,571 extends the contract through June 30, 2021 and brings the contract total to $1,545,990. The prior contract for $450,000 with Circle of Friends was also funded with MHSA Community Services and Supports revenue.
There is available appropriation in the FY2019/20 Adopted Budget for the contract amendment. Appropriation of the funds does not impact the County General Fund. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On June 25, 2019 the Board approved a contract with Caminar Inc. for $372,419 for the period beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 to provide Wellness and Recovery Center programming for Solano County. Wellness and Recovery Center programming is outlined in the Solano County MHSA Integrated Three-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2017/18 through 2019/20, which was approved by Board on January 24, 2017.
Recently, Circle of Friends wellness center sent notice of its closure. The organization has long succeeded at providing empowering peer led services but has faced numerous challenges with its ability to maintain a nonprofit infrastructure. The proposed contract amendment will allow the Circle of Friends center to close under its existing structure and re-open under a stronger organization, creating a seamless transition for the delivery wellness and recovery services. Caminar anticipates that it will hire existing staff of Circle of Friends and will add 2.0 FTE peer counselors that can provide multiple part-time jobs for mental health consumers.
Wellness and Recovery Center programming in Solano County is peer delivered services with a recovery-oriented focus for adults with serious mental health conditions who have been or are at risk of hospitalization, involvement with the criminal justice system, and homelessness. Services provided at Caminar’s Wellness and Recovery Center include: development of Wellness and Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), support groups, peer counseling and mentoring, employment preparation services, and educational workshops related to relapse prevention, self-management, health and life skills, and substance abuse.
During FY2018/19, the Caminar Wellness and Recovery Center program successfully achieved the following annual performance outcomes outlined in the previous contract term for FY2018/19:
• Caminar served 119 consumers in the Wellness and Recovery Center in Vallejo
• 117 consumers completed a Wellness and Recovery Action Plan
• 56% (51) of the 91 consumers measured with the Quality of Life Scale maintained or demonstrated improvement in functioning
For the first quarter of FY2019/20, the Caminar Wellness and Recovery Center is on track to meet annual performance outcomes and has already served 86 consumers with more than half showing improvement on the Quality of Life scale, demonstrating improved overall functioning which reduces the risk of homelessness and hospitalization.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the contract amendment with Caminar Inc. for Wellness and Recovery Center programming. This is not recommended as it would prevent the County from completing program requirements established in the MHSA Integrated Three-Year Plan. Additionally, the closure of the wellness centers in Fairfield and Vacaville would result in 100-200 or more seriously mentally ill adults spending the daytime unsheltered and untreated on streets and in other public spaces instead of engaging in recovery activities in a safe and therapeutic environment, increasing risk for hospitalization and involvement with the criminal justice system.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County MHSA Integrated Three-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2017/18 through 2019/20, and subsequent Annual Updates have been developed in collaboration with community stakeholders which includes, consumers, family members, County and community-based providers, law enforcement, local educational agencies, veterans, faith-based organizations, and the local Mental Health Advisory Board. Community stakeholders and the MHSA Steering Committee endorsed continuing to fund the adult Wellness and Recovery Center programming.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION