COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

May 12, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 20, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Health

Louise Rogers, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1) Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County for the provision of transitional residential treatment and supported housing for seriously mentally ill adults, housing for transition-age youth and Flexible Fund administration for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, for a maximum obligation of $1,525,366; and

2) Authorizing the Director of Health or the Director’s designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate) and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.

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 (SMI) adults with mental health and co-occurring disorders who are at risk of homelessness, housing for transition-age youth (TAY), and Flexible Fund administration.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2007-08
Actual

FY 2008-09
Projected

Transitional Residential Services: Percentage of clients maintained at current or lower level of care*.

71%

71%

* These data are for all contractors providing transitional residential services.

BACKGROUND:

The Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA) has contracted with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) to provide shelter, supported housing and other mental health rehabilitation services to San Mateo County clients for many years. These services focus primarily on providing low cost, community-based alternatives for BHRS clients who are at risk of an acute inpatient psychiatric admission, placement in a locked skilled nursing facility, or becoming homeless. In addition, MHA provides Flexible Funds administration for Adult and Older Adult Services and the Pathways for Women Program. Flexible Funds are used to purchase unique services for BHRS 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:

BHRS is renewing the Agreement with MHA for the provision of rehabilitation services for SMI adults with mental health and co-occurring disorders and emergency short-term housing at the Spring Street Emergency Shelter for homeless, mentally ill clients. MHA will also provide Shelter Plus Care Project coordination, operate the Friendship Center, and administer the Flexible Funds for Adult and Older Adult Services and Pathways for Women Program. In addition, MHA will secure and manage 20 units of high-quality housing for transition-age youth (TAY) Full Service Partnerships (FSP) enrollees. Under the B-1 Administrative memorandum, the selection of providers of housing services for BHRS clients is exempt from the Request For Proposals (RFP) process. In the Spring of 2005, MHA was selected through an RFP to provide supported housing services for enrollees of both the TAY and Adults and Older Adults Full Service Partnerships. For FY 2008-09, these services for Adult and Older Adult clients will be provided by Telecare, which also provides FSP services for those clients.

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 term of this Agreement is July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The Agreement maximum is $1,525,366 which includes a 3% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) applicable for the period. Of that amount, Federal and State Medi-Cal are expected to fund $261,902, sales tax provided through Realignment will cover $819,574, the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) Grant will fund $30,000, and $200,000 will be provided through MHSA funding for TAY Support Housing. The Net County Cost is $213,890 which includes both COLA and the mandatory County match for the Permanent Supportive Housing Project. The funds have been included in the BHRS FY 2008-09 Recommended Budget.