REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  July  17, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-6.

SUBJECT:

Recommendation Supporting Expansion of Replacement Narcotic Therapy Services Provided by Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Donnell Ewert, Director, Health and Human Services Agency, (530) 245-6860

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Donnell Ewert, Director, Health and Human Services Agency

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Health and Human Services Agency, Adult Services Branch Director, acting in his capacity as the Shasta County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrator, to sign the State of California – Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Health Care Services, County Recommendation form, in support of the expansion of Narcotic Replacement Therapy Services provided by Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC in the Redding area.

SUMMARY

The planned expansion of the Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC (Aegis) Medication Unit in Redding will combine the administering of daily doses of methadone with those Narcotic Treatment Program (NTP) services not currently available locally, creating a new Comprehensive Facility providing the complete range of NTP services in Redding. The expansion by Aegis of the Medication Unit into a Comprehensive Facility requires Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) approval, which will only be considered if the County makes the recommendation to DHCS.

DISCUSSION

On December 12, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Aegis to provide Narcotic Replacement Therapy Services for Shasta County Medi-Cal beneficiaries at a Medication Unit located in Redding. The local Medication Unit allows individuals to receive daily doses of Methadone six days per week. Unfortunately, Shasta County residents must still travel to Chico for an intake appointment to see the physician.  Additionally, Shasta County residents utilizing the medication-only clinic in Redding must travel to Chico once a week for individual counseling, doctor visits, and treatment planning. The expansion of the Medication Unit to a Comprehensive Facility will reduce barriers allowing for the provision of the complete range of NTP services in Redding, including intake, physician services, and counseling services.

The expansion by Aegis of the Medication Unit into a Comprehensive Facility includes building modifications, required approvals from various government agencies, and applying to Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for NTP status with increased capacity at the new location. The physical expansion and required government agency approvals are in process and expected to be completed by mid-August. Once these are complete, Aegis will submit an application packet to DHCS requesting NTP status for the Comprehensive Facility in Redding. In order for DHCS to approve Aegis’s application, it must be accompanied by a recommendation of support from the County Drug Program Administrator (Administrator). The County Recommendation form includes certification by the Administrator that (1) there is a need for NTP services in the community, (2) all local ordinances, fire regulations, and local planning agency requirements have been complied with, and (3) he/she recommends Aegis be expanded in licensed capacity.

Upon DHCS approval of Aegis’s application, an amendment to the current agreement will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval of the provision of additional services and any potential changes in compensation due to the expansion of services.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve the recommendation.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

This recommendation has been reviewed by County Counsel and the County Administrative Office. On May 2, 2018, the Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board voted to endorse the Comprehensive Facility concept.

FINANCING

There is no additional General Fund impact from the recommended action.