DATE: September 5, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: First Amendment to Bright Beginnings for Families Collaborative Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with Pacific Clinics, Exceptional Parents Unlimited, and Comprehensive Youth Services, collaboratively combining to provide services under the Bright Beginnings for Families Program, to add Outpatient and Intensive Case Management levels of care to the existing Full Service Partnership services provided, effective upon execution with no change to the term of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, or compensation maximum of $17,781,586.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval will fill a gap in services for youth who are not eligible for Full Service Partnership (FSP) level of care services but still require a higher frequency of services than can be provided by the health plan providers. This change would also allow youth to have continuity of care as they move through the different levels within each agency without interruption to their treatment. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. If the recommended action is not approved, a gap will remain in services provided to youth 0 to 10 years old in Fresno County due to the shortage of specially trained providers who can treat this population. Youth with moderate to severe symptom acuity, who do not qualify for FSP services, will struggle to gain access to the appropriate treatment services in a timely fashion, which puts them at risk for further decompensation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The agreement ($17,781,586) will be financed with Mental Health Realignment, Short/Doyle Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation and Behavioral Health Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Behavioral Health Org 5630 FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On June 20, 2023, your Board approved agreement No. A-23-276 with Pacific Clinics, Exceptional Parents Unlimited, and Comprehensive Youth Services to provide services under the Bright Beginnings for Families Program. These Contractors provide mental health and support services to youth, ages 0 to 10, who meet the program criteria and their families.
The Contractors and the County have identified a gap in services between FSP (the highest level of outpatient care) and services through the health plan providers (the lowest level of outpatient care).
With your Board’s approval, the recommended amendment would create a continuum of care by adding the Outpatient and Intensive Case Management level of care services to address moderate to severe symptom acuity and impairment. Adding these levels of care to the existing FSP services will allow the Contractors to continue supporting the youth and families they serve without an interruption in services. The continuity of care and the ability to enroll a youth in the most appropriate level of care without an interruption in services is expected to decrease recidivism.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was notified of the recommended Amendment at the August 16, 2023 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #44, June 20, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to Bright Beginnings for Families Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander