COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

September 12, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 23, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Gale Bataille, Director, Mental Health Services

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to the Agreement with

Prins, Williams & Associates, LLC

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute a first amendment to the agreement with Prins, Williams and Associates, LLC.

Background

In July of 1999, Mental Health Services began implementing a state-mandated adult outcome measurement system. The Mental Health Services Division also has developed and implemented evaluation and outcome measurements to assess client functioning, satisfaction and quality of life.

Since 1999 San Mateo County has been receiving a Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) grant funding for the Options Project, a collaborative program of the Sheriff's Office, Probation Department, and Mental Health Division. A requirement of the grant is to conduct research comparing outcomes for program participants and for a similar group of persons constituting a control group.

A Request for Applications (RFA) for Research and Evaluation services was issued by Mental Health Services in 1999, including both youth and adult outcomes and evaluation, youth wraparound pilot project evaluation, Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) grant research, and data analysis for a variety of mental health programs. The division selected Prins, Williams and Associates, to perform these research and evaluation functions for the adult system. The principals, David Williams, Ph.D. and Annabel Prins, Ph.D. were the most qualified based on their experience and training. Prins, Williams and Associates LLC have performed these duties for the County in an exemplary fashion.

On September 17, 2002, your Board approved a renewal agreement with Prins, Williams & Associates, LLC, to provide research and evaluation services for the Mental Health Services Division. The term of the agreement is July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003 for a total amount of $102,728. The services provided are focused on outcomes and evaluation for the adult system of care, research required for the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) grant and data analysis for the division.

Discussion

The Prins, Williams and Associates, LLC agreement is being amended to run concurrently with the MIOCR grant which will be phased out by June 30, 2004. During FY 2003-04 the contractor will continue to provide both youth and adult outcomes and evaluation, youth wraparound pilot project evaluation, (MIOCR) grant research, and data analysis for a variety of mental health programs. In addition, the contractor will provide new services related to evidence based practices. Evidence based practice includes the selection, implementation and tracking of treatment practices based on the scientific evidence of their efficacy.

The amended agreement includes County required provisions regarding Contractor's compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Mental Health Services will issue a RFA for research and evaluation services during this fiscal year.

Vision Alignment

This amended agreement with Prins, Williams & Associates, LLC 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 amended agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing research and evaluation services to ensure the quality of mental health services.

Fiscal Impact

The term of the amended agreement is July 1, 2002, to June 30, 2004. The amendment has been reviewed and approved by Risk Management and County Counsel.

The new agreement maximum is $215,468 for the two-year term. The 2003-04 amount is $112,740; which includes an increase of $12,740 from the previous year. The increase covers the cost of the increased services for Evidence Based Practices. The total has been included in the FY 2003-04 Mental Health Services Division budget. AB 1485 (MIOCR grant) funds $15,000, and the SAMSHA block grant funds $27,476. The balance of $70,264 is covered by realignment. There is no net County cost.