COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 16, 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 Fred Finch Youth Center

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1) Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with Fred Finch Youth Center for the provision of Therapeutic Behavioral Services, Crisis In-Home Stabilization Program services, Visiting Therapist Program services, Day Treatment services and associated outpatient mental health services for children and youth for the term July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, for a maximum obligation of $1,135,033; 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 Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS), Crisis In-Home Stabilization Program services, Visiting Therapist Program services, and Day Treatment services with associated outpatient mental health services to youth in order to maintain them in the least restrictive settings.

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides a range of services to promote wellness and recovery and to support consumers remaining in the lowest possible level of care. The provision of intensive mental health services to youth is one established level of care. The services provided through this Agreement contribute to this measure.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2007-08 Estimate

FY 2008-09 Target

Clients maintained at current or lower level of care.

76%

76%

BACKGROUND:

BHRS has contracted with Fred Finch Youth Center for Crisis In-Home Stabilization Program services and TBS since 1999. In 2003 this contractor began to provide Day Treatment services for one San Mateo County youth placed by the Golden Gate Regional Center. In July of 2006 this provider was selected through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to continue to provide these services. In 2007 this provider began to provide mental health services for foster youth placed out-of-county under its Visiting Therapist Program. Under the B-1 Administrative Memorandum the selection of providers of mental health services for clients placed in out-of-county facilities by other agencies is exempt from the RFP process requirement. That exemption applies to the provision of Day Treatment and Visiting Therapist Program services by this provider.

DISCUSSION:

Fred Finch Youth Center provides TBS to approximately 75 youth who are Medi-Cal beneficiaries. TBS are short-term behavioral intervention services for severely emotionally disturbed (SED) youth experiencing stressful transitions or life crises and who are at risk of placement in an institution or intensive residential program. Medi-Cal requires that these services be provided on an immediate basis to children/youth who meet specific criteria. This contractor will also provide crisis in-home stabilization services to approximately 80 SED youth (ages 5 through 18) and their families. Services will be available seven days per week, 24 hours per day to at-risk SED youth, with a goal of maintaining youth in the least restrictive and most home-like setting and avoiding costly hospitalization and residential care.

Visiting Therapist services are provided for youth placed in out-of-county foster homes when local services are unavailable. Day Treatment services and associated outpatient mental health services are also provided through this Agreement.

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. This Agreement is on the Continuing Resolution.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The Agreement maximum is $1,135,033. Of that amount, Medi-Cal is expected to fund $567,517, Healthy Families will fund $45,401, Healthy Kids will fund $22,701 and Realignment will fund $363,210. The Net County Cost is $136,204, which includes an approved three percent Cost of Living Allowance and the required match for Medi-Cal. Funds for these services have been included in the BHRS tentatively Adopted FY 2008-09 Budget.