COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Health System

DATE:

May 11, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 8, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System

Louise Rogers, Director, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the Ravenswood Family Health Center

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1) Waiving the Request for Proposals requirement for outpatient mental health services in a primary care setting in East Palo Alto; and

2) Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with Ravenswood Family Health Center for the provision of mental health services for the term July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013, for a maximum obligation of $722,807; and

3) Authorizing the Chief of the Health System or 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.

BACKGROUND:

As part of an effort to improve access to health services, residents and community agencies formed the East Palo Alto Mental Health Committee. This committee’s scope now includes behavioral health and recovery services. This committee, under the leadership of One-East Palo Alto, worked with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) to identify strategies for improving access to mental health and substance abuse services. One service improvement strategy focused on delivering mental health services within a primary care setting. In December 2001 the committee founded Ravenswood Family Health Center.

In 2007 BHRS released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for outpatient mental health services within a primary care setting in San Mateo County, specifically East Palo Alto. Ravenswood was the only respondent currently providing outpatient MH services within a primary care setting in San Mateo County. Ravenswood Family Health Center (RFHC) was selected for funding as the result of that RFP. A waiver to the RFP process is recommended because RFHC is the sole source to provide these services.

DISCUSSION:

RFHC is the only federally funded, nonprofit community health center in San Mateo County. RFHC offers full-scope primary medical care and prevention services and outpatient mental health services to underserved and uninsured individuals and families living in southeast San Mateo County. Primary care-based mental health services will increase access to mental health care in coordination with medical care. In addition, RFHC incorporates attention to cultural values, practices and language of the diverse populations within its catchment area in its outreach and treatment services.

The Resolution and Agreement have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel. Risk Management has reviewed the Agreement. 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.

Subsequent to the final adoption of the State budget it may be necessary to make changes to this contract in order to reflect legislative action. This contract is recommended to your Board at this time in order to provide a continuity of services to the community until final funding levels can be determined. The contract provides that the County may reduce the scope of the contract to reflect any shortfall in funding from State or federal allocations.

The Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing outpatient mental health services to San Mateo County residents and specifically to residents in the underserved area of East Palo Alto. 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 outpatient mental health services is one established level of care. The services provided through this Agreement contribute to this measure. It is anticipated that 93% of clients who receive services through this Agreement will be maintained at a current or lower level of care.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2009-10
Estimate

FY 2010-11
Projected

Percentage of clients maintained at current or lower level of care.

93%

93%

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013. The Agreement maximum is $722,807. The maximum for FY 2010-11 is $240,936. Of that amount, $225,534 will be funded through the Mental Health Services Act, and $15,402 will be funded through Healthy Families, Healthy Kids and CareAdvantage. Funds are included in the BHRS FY 2010-11 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost. Similar arrangements will be made for subsequent years.