COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health System

DATE:

January 16, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 10, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System

Brian J. Zamora, Director, Community Health Division

Barbara Pletz, Emergency Medical Services Administrator

SUBJECT:

Amendment One to the Agreement with American Medical Response for Assessment and Transport of Persons With Behavioral Emergencies and for the Transport of Mental Health Clients

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute Amendment One to the Agreement with American Medical Response West for assessment and transport of persons with behavioral emergencies and for the transport of mental health clients extending the term to June 30, 2009 and increasing the Agreement maximum by $162,000 from $1,134,000 to a new maximum of $1,296,000.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

This Amendment contributes to this commitment and goal by improving emergency services provided to people having behavioral emergencies in the field setting.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2007-08
Actual

FY 2008-09
Projected

Percent of EMS responses to behavioral emergencies by American Medical Response “SMART” vehicle.

70%

70%

BACKGROUND:

In December 2005, your Board approved a waiver of the Request for Proposals process and a 3-year Agreement with American Medical Response West (AMR) to provide assessment and transport of persons with behavioral emergencies and for the prescheduled transport of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services clients or Aging and Adult Services clients for court appearances. The San Mateo County Mental Assessment and Referral Team (SMART) program was developed by the Health System and AMR in which a specially trained paramedic would respond to law enforcement Code 2 requests for individuals having a behavioral emergency. The Agreement expiration date is December 31, 2008.

At the time the County entered into the SMART Agreement the expiration date for the County’s Agreement with AMR for countywide 911 ambulance service was December 31, 2008. The expiration date for the 911 ambulance service Agreement has been extended to June 30, 2009 in anticipation that a new Agreement with AMR for 911 ambulance service will begin July 1, 2009.

DISCUSSION:

Extending the SMART Agreement by six months through June 30, 2009, will allow the County to negotiate a new Agreement for the SMART program. It is important that the services provided in this Agreement go uninterrupted because County partners such as the San Mateo County Police Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association have expressed that the services provide a great deal of support to the law enforcement entities in San Mateo County.

This Amendment is late because the County has been in negotiations with AMR for the countywide 911 ambulance service contract and it is anticipated that an arrangement for the continuation for the SMART Agreement will be made after that contract has been negotiated.

This 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 term of the amended Agreement is December 7, 2005 through June 30, 2009. The maximum obligation is increased by $162,000 from $1,134,000 to a new maximum obligation of $1,296,000. The Net County Cost associated with this Amendment is $162,000 and is included in the Emergency Medical Services FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget. The funding sources are Behavioral Health and Recovery Services ($50,000), Aging and Adult Services ($50,000), and Health Administration ($62,000).