REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  February  28, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-21.

SUBJECT:

Second amendment to agreement for the provision of psychological services with James Reid McKellar.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Dianna L. Wagner, Branch Director, (530) 225-5705

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Dianna L. Wagner, Branch Director

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an amendment, effective the date of signing, to the agreement with J. Reid McKellar, Ph.D a Psychology Corporation to increase the maximum compensation for the entire term of the agreement from $50,000 to $65,000 for the provision of psychological evaluations and assessment through June 30, 2017.

SUMMARY

This second amendment is to increase the funds available to compensate J. Reid McKellar, Ph.D for the provision of psychological evaluations and assessments for youth and parents as ordered by the juvenile courts.

DISCUSSION

Dr. McKellar conducts psychological evaluations and submits written reports for consideration to the social worker and juvenile court judge.  As a licensed Psychologist, Dr. McKellar administers psychological tests, conducts structured interviews, and reviews available records and documentation in order to evaluate for the presence of psychological disorders, or personality characteristics that may have an impact upon the individual's behavior with respect to his/her parenting skills. 

In addition, Dr. McKellar conducts Parent/Child Bonding Assessments to determine the nature and quality of the child's relationship with birth and/or foster parents, often to address the question of who occupies the position of greatest centrality in a child's emotional life. This is roughly equivalent to determining which adult(s) serve as the psychological parent to the child.

Children’s Services has conducted multiple competitive procurement cycles seeking additional providers with no responses.  Dr. McKellar is the only psychologist currently under contract which has increased the number of referrals sent to him. 

Dr. McKellar has provided consistently high quality work in a timely manner and is highly regarded by the juvenile court and Children’s Services.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may choose not to approve the recommendation and ask staff to conduct an additional competitive procurement process.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the amendment as to form.  Risk Management reviewed the original agreement and there have been no changes to insurance or indemnification.  The recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

The HHSA’s fiscal year 2016-17 Adjusted Budget includes sufficient appropriation authority for the activities described in this agreement.  These services are funded through the Child Welfare Services allocation (BU 501), which requires a County share of cost met largely through Realignment. There is no additional General Fund impact with approval of the recommendation.