COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

September 3, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 23, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director, Health Services

Gale Bataille, Director, Mental Health Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Lisa Nelson, M.D.

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing:

1.

The President of the Board to execute an agreement with Lisa Nelson, M.D.; 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

There has been a shortage of child psychiatrists in California and in the nation for the past several years. Mental Health has found it extremely difficult to fill child psychiatrist positions. Physicians are exempt from the requirement for a Request for Proposals process, and Mental Health Services Division runs advertisements for specialty psychiatric services on a regular basis in the Northern California Psychiatric Newsletter and other venues as needed. Dr. Nelson was selected from candidates who responded to those advertisements.

Mental Health Services has contracted with Dr. Nelson for the provision of child psychiatrist services since 1998.

Discussion

This contractor will provide child psychiatric services for the Community Counseling Center in East Palo Alto, South County Mental Health Center in Redwood City, and the Redwood Therapeutic Day School. Her duties include: child and youth medication evaluation and treatment; diagnostic evaluation; psychotherapy; family consultation; treatment plan review; and, case consultation. Dr. Nelson is highly skilled in treating emotionally disturbed youth and adolescents and her skills, knowledge, language abilities, and cultural sensitivity make her the best candidate for this position.

Cost of living increases are being provided equal to the salary increases that were recently negotiated for San Mateo County physicians. Required HIPAA compliance language has been included in the agreement.

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

Vision Alignment

This agreement keeps the commitment of ensuring 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 psychiatric services and consultation for children and youth in San Mateo County.

Fiscal Impact

The term of the agreement is July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2005. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by Risk Management and County Counsel.

For FY 2003-04 the negotiated COLA is 4%. A 3% COLA has been included for FY 2004-05.

The contract maximum is $222,903 for the two-year term. The Agreement maximum for FY2003-04 is $109,803 and has been included in the FY2003-04 Mental Health Services Division budget. State and Federal Medi-Cal is expected to fund $48,313 of the cost and $46,117 is reimbursable under SB90 claims. The remaining $15,373 is funded by sales tax through realignment. A similar arrangement will be in place for FY2004-05. There is no net County cost.