DATE: June 24, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Participation Agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority for Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline services, effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, total not to exceed $232,884; and
2. Approve and authorize the Department of Behavioral Health Director, or designee, to be the signatory and act as the Fresno County representative on behalf of the Board of Supervisors on associated California Mental Health Services Authority Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline related reports and forms, without modifying the maximum compensation.
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will assign funding to the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) for FY 2024-25 to act as a fiscal intermediary and provide program management and oversight for the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline (CVSPH) program. CVSPH will serve as the primary suicide prevention hotline for the Counties of Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Stanislaus.
Approval of the second recommended action will allow the Department of Behavioral Health Director, or designee, to sign related reports and forms, without modifying the maximum compensation, and act as a representative of the County. The services are funded with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds, with no increase in Net County Cost. The item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the first recommended action, the suicide prevention hotline services will not be provided to the County. If the second recommended action is not approved, the Department will return to the Board for all necessary reports and forms. This may cause a delay in providing and delivering much needed services.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement was received from CalMHSA on April 25, 2025 and is retroactive to July 1, 2024. The delay in bringing the agreement before your Board on an earlier date was due to CalMHSA finalizing the FY 2024-25 budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Services are fully funded with MHSA PEI funds. As the main user of the suicide prevention hotline, Fresno County’s share of cost is $232,884, or 36% as identified by the call volume data. The share of cost is inclusive of the 12% administrative fee of total program funding due to CalMHSA. CalMHSA is in possession of $54,597 from prior fiscal year contribution that were unspent. This amount is not yet finalized and is subject to audit but will be credited to FY 2024-25 decreasing the total cost to $178,287. The participating counties are paying their agreed upon share of cost directly to CalMHSA. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On September 14, 2010, the Board executed Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) No. 10-489 to implement Statewide MHSA PEI projects through CalMHSA, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code, section 5897. The JPA allowed CalMHSA to increase cost efficiency for suicide prevention, student mental health initiatives, and reduction in stigma and discrimination related to mental illness. The County can choose to participate in CalMHSA activities, specifically the CVSPH.
On May 21, 2024, the Board approved a Participation Agreement (No. 24-219) with CalMHSA to act as a fiscal intermediary and provide program management and oversight for the CVSPH program. CVSPH operates a 24-hour/7 day a week accredited American Association of Suicidology hotline that serves as the primary suicide prevention hotline for the Counties of Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Stanislaus. CVSPH answers calls through its participation in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, maintains a hotline website, and provides outreach and technical assistance to the involved counties. On December 3, 2024, the Board approved a retroactive Participation Agreement (24-616) with CalMHSA effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to carry out the responsibilities discussed above for the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline.
The Agreement varies from standard County template as it was drafted by CalMHSA. The template is utilized by CalMHSA to execute Participation Agreements with different Counties and is consistent statewide.
The recommended Participation Agreement is a one-year contract with the option for early termination in which either party may withdraw from the program upon a six-month written notice. Upon cancellation, termination, or other conclusion of the Program, any funds remaining undisbursed after CalMHSA satisfies all obligations arising under the Program shall be returned to the County.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #44, December 3, 2024
BAI #29, May 21, 2024
BAI #39, September 14, 2010
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CalMHSA
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander