Item Coversheet

REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS


BOARD MEETING DATE:  February  28, 2017
CATEGORY:  Regular - Health and Human Services-6.

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Hill Country Community Clinic for a Community Mental Health Resource Center.

DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services Agency-Adult Services
Health and Human Services Agency-Children's Services

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Dean True, Branch Director Adult Services 530-229-5900

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Dean True, Branch Director Adult Svcs/Dianna Wagner, Branch Director Children's Svcs

Vote Required?

Simple Majority Vote
General Fund Impact?

No Additional General Fund Impact 

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a retroactive agreement with Hill Country Community Clinic in an amount not to exceed $4,020,000 to provide a Community Mental Health Resource Center for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019.

SUMMARY

In November 2004, California voters approved the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which provides funding dedicated to the support of community mental health programs.  An initial Request for Proposal for a Community Mental Health Resource Center  (Resource Center) included three components: MHSA Innovation, Foster Parent Retention and Recruitment Support (FPRRS), and Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) (also known as Laura’s Law) was published. Five proposals from community-based organizations were received in April of 2016 and evaluated by a review committee which recommended Hill Country Community Clinic's (Hill Country) proposal.

DISCUSSION

The Resource Center will serve residents of Shasta County of all ages and will address various needs with a wide array of services.  The Resource Center will be located at 1401 Gold St. Redding, CA 96001 and will be open 365 days per year with hours of operation being 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

 

The principal purpose of the Innovation component is to increase after-hours access to evaluation services, particularly for individuals currently un-served or under-served by the community’s current mental health system, to bridge service gaps to better meet the needs of our community, and to reduce the use of the local emergency rooms.  The project will provide both limited direct service and comprehensive referrals to other community-based organizations.   Additional activities at the Resource Center will include peer support for those individuals navigating systems, education groups for individuals and families, pre-crisis and emergent crisis access to mental health professionals, case management including warm handoffs ( transportation),  and issues related to housing.

 

The purpose of the FPRRS component is to increase placement stability among foster youth and to increase retention of care providers by providing supportive services and training.  The component will include resources for foster youth and their caregivers including: childcare, parenting and psycho-education training, post placement services, and normalcy activities for youth.

 

The AOT component will provide direct services to individuals who are deemed eligible under the guidelines of Laura’s Law.  The project’s purpose is to provide comprehensive mental health services that promote stabilization, wellness and recovery.

 

Though many of the activities outlined above are currently available through the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) systems of care, the hours which they may be accessed have been limited to routine business hours, M-F, and not under one roof.  This Resource Center will provide both new services (AOT) and expanded access to needed services immediately available at the Resource Center location. Comprehensive referral and linkage to other community based resources is often a critical need not always achieved, and Resource Center staff will make needed connections  for individuals and families.

 

Each component has stated goals and outcomes within the contract language and will be evaluated by County staff in partnership with Hill Country. With improved access to these services, in particular pre-crisis and emergent crisis intervention, it is anticipated to have a positive impact to the community by potentially reducing emergency department visits, law enforcement intervention, and averting more costly client placements into higher levels of care. 

 

The proposed agreement includes language to allow the HHSA Director or his or her designee to approve variances up to a maximum of 15 percent between categories within each budget line item with prior written approval, provided the maximum amount of compensation per County fiscal year of this agreement is not exceeded.  Allowing the Director to authorize this budget variance in the agreement will allow Hill Country flexibility to provide those service types most needed by the population being served.

 

The agreement also allows for minor amendments, including retroactive, as long as the intent of the agreement and the maximum compensation are not changed.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve this agreement, defer consideration to a future date, or provide direction to staff to negotiate changes to the agreement. 

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.  Risk Management has approved the agreement.  The recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

Funding is provided through the MHSA, mental health realignment and the California Department of Social Services.  The Resource Center will be Medi-Cal certified for clinical services allowing the County to seek reimbursement for services provided through the Laura’s Law component. There is no additional General Fund impact from the recommended action.

ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionUpload DateDescription
Hill Country Resource Center Signed Agreement2/16/2017Hill Country Resource Center Signed Agreement