DATE: June 10, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Agreement for Vocational and Educational Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Pacific Clinics for the provision of vocational and educational services to individuals with serious mental illnesses living in Fresno County and receiving specialty mental health services, effective July 1, 2025, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $5,142,820.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will authorize Pacific Clinics to provide vocational and educational services to individuals with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. IPS supported employment helps people living with serious mental illnesses work at regular jobs of their choosing as well as connect them to education or vocational training programs. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Department would be unable to provide appropriate vocational and educational services to individuals with serious mental illnesses living in Fresno County making it more challenging for them to find employment, become independent, and progress with achieving positive treatment goals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum amount of this Agreement ($5,142,820) will be funded with Mental Health Services Act Community Services and Supports funds and Mental Health Realignment. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budget requests for the term.
DISCUSSION:
Through a previous Mental Health Services Act community stakeholder process, the Department identified a need to expand existing vocational and educational services. On March 10, 2020, the Department established and implemented vocational and educational services provided to eligible persons through a contracted vendor. After reviewing program outcomes, the Department determined that the services should continue as they provided additional support to persons in the Department’s system of care and contributed to positive outcomes.
On December 23, 2024, Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 24-040 for vocational and educational services (VES) was released by the General Services Department - Purchasing Division. The RFP sought bidders to provide vocational and educational services by using and maintaining fidelity to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Addendum No. 1 was issued on January 8, 2025. The RFP closed on January 22, 2025.
Two proposals were received and ranked according to Purchasing guidelines based on a comprehensive review of the proposal contents which included, but was not limited to: whether the bidders understood the IPS model, had sufficient and appropriate staffing, had local partnerships to support services and programming, had experience working with persons with serious mental illnesses or co-occurring disorders, and demonstrated knowledge of additional community-based services and resources for linkages and coordinated care. The proposals received were submitted by Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network whose proposal was for a total of $5,119,674 and Pacific Clinics whose proposal was for a total of $5,142,820. The bid review committee consisting of four staff analysts and one utilization review specialist from the Department of Behavioral Health who reviewed the proposals. Pacific Clinics was selected as the recommended bidder that would best meet the needs of the County and population receiving these services.
Pacific Clinics demonstrated their experience and familiarity with Fresno County and its specific needs. They are familiar with providing similar services in other California counties. Pacific Clinics included clear and well-defined descriptions of their ability to render the requested services in a manner that would be responsive to County persons. Pacific Clinics included clear timelines of their hiring, training, and ramp up activities as they prepare to begin services. They reflected the Department’s guiding principles of care, which provide a clinical framework that influences decision-making in all aspects of care delivery, and were able to articulate how their programming would support and adhere to each principle.
Pacific Clinics will provide vocational and educational services such as employment services, employment services intake, employment preparation, job development and placement, employment retention and job coaching. Persons served will also receive peer supported services, peer training, and supportive mentoring through the program. Services will be individualized to address each participant’s interests, goals, skills, abilities, and needs.
The modification clause of the agreement delegates the board’s authority to the DBH Director to make certain changes to the agreement during the term of the agreement, as further described in Article 15, Section A of the agreement.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was notified of this agreement at the May 2025 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #34, March 10, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Pacific Clinics
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander