COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

September 5, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 23, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Gale Bataille, Director of Mental Health Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Mental Health Association of San Mateo County

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing:

1.

The President of the Board to execute an agreement with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA); and

2.

The Director of Health Services to execute minor amendments and adjustments up to an aggregate of $25,000 for the term of the agreement.

Background

MHA is a long-term provider of residential and other mental health rehabilitation services to San Mateo County clients. These services focus on providing low cost community-based alternatives to mental health clients who are at risk of an acute inpatient psychiatric admission, placement in a locked skilled nursing facility, or becoming homeless.

Under the Division's plan for contracted services, residential and supportive services are in the "any qualified provider" category, a category that allows an unlimited number of qualified providers. Any agency can submit a proposal at any time and the proposal will be evaluated on quality and cost factors.

Discussion

MHA will provide rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill adults and emergency short-term housing for homeless mentally ill at the Spring Street emergency shelter. In addition, MHA will provide Shelter Plus Care Project coordination, operate the Friendship Center, and administer the adult services Wrap Around Fund. The Wrap Around Fund purchases unique services for mental health clients to help maintain independent living in the community, thus avoiding costly hospitalization.

The Public Health Services Division also has a contract with MHA to provide housing services and management of the Wrap Around Fund for client emergencies. The Public Health agreement is for $682,555 for the term of July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, and will be recommended to your Board as a separate contract due to the complexities of funding and program reporting requirements.

We are also requesting that the Director of Health Services or her designee be given signing authority to execute minor amendments and adjustments up to an aggregate of $25,000 for the term of the agreement.

The performance objectives are as follows:

Performance Measure

2002-03 Objectives

2002-03 Actuals

2003-04

Objectives

Overall satisfaction with mental health services.

85%

N/A*

85%

Minimum percentage of clients who obtain stable housing (permanent or transitional) upon discharge

50%

41%

50%

* The State DMH discontinued required use of their data collection tool for this measure during last year. They are in the process of establishing a new required collection tool, which will be used for this measure for 2003-04.

Vision Alignment

This agreement with the Mental Health Association keeps the commitment to Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All and goal number 8: Help vulnerable people-the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at risk youth, and others achieve a better quality of life. The agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill adults and emergency short term housing for homeless mentally ill.

Fiscal Impact

The term of this agreement is July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by Risk Management and County Counsel.

The maximum amount of the agreement is $893,388, which has been included in the Mental Health Services Division FY 2003-04 budget. It is projected that $515,595 will be covered by federal and state Medi-Cal funds. Sales tax provided through realignment will cover $355,764. The net County cost is $22,029.