COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

March 30, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 10, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Health

Gale Bataille, Director of Mental Health Services

SUBJECT:

Amendment to Agreement with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County to add Flexible Fund administration for the Pathways for Women program for the term July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008, and to increase the maximum obligation by $40,000 from $4,094,514 to $4,134,514.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All.

Goal 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 transitional residential treatment and supported housing for seriously mentally ill individuals at risk of homelessness and by providing female mentally ill offenders with basic necessities essential in order to remain engaged in mental health services and to reduce recidivism.

Performance Measures:

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07
Projected

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

67%

70%

BACKGROUND:

Mental Health Services has contracted with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA) to provide shelter, supported housing, and other mental health rehabilitation services to San Mateo County clients for many years. These services focus on providing low cost community-based alternatives for Mental Health Services clients who are at risk of admission to an acute inpatient psychiatric facility, placement in a locked skilled nursing facility, or becoming homeless. In addition, MHA operates the Friendship Center and administers the adult services Flexible Funds. Flexible Funds are used to purchase services for Mental Health clients such as food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to help them maintain independent living in the community, to remain engaged in mental health services, and to avoid hospitalization.

DISCUSSION:

MHA will administer the Flexible Funds for the Pathways for Women program. The Pathways for Women program is a partnership of San Mateo County Sheriff, Probation, Mental Health Services, Alcohol and Drug Services, and various community-based organizations. Pathways for Women, an expansion of the Pathways Court Mental Health program, is designed to provide gender-focused services to approximately 35 female mentally ill offenders. This program uses a wellness and recovery approach to treatment and recognizes that access to Flexible Funds is essential to maintaining client engagement in mental health services and to reduce recidivism.

The term of the Agreement remains July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. The Amendment to the Agreement has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel and Risk Management. The Contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Agreement maximum is being increased by $40,000 from $4,094,514 to a new maximum of $4,134,514. The maximum for FY 2006-07 is increasing by $8,000 to a new maximum of $2,055,257, which is included in the Mental Health Services FY 2006-07 Adopted Budget. The entire amount of the increase will be funded from the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) grant. There is no Net County Cost associated with this amended Agreement. Similar funding arrangements will be made for FY 2007-08.