DATE: September 10, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Participation Agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for the Evaluation of Community Services and Support Initiatives
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority for the Evaluation of Community Services and Support Initiatives, effective upon execution through June 30, 2025, total not to exceed $574,837; 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 Community Services and Supports evaluation program related reports and forms, with no change to the compensation maximum of $574,837.
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will assign funding to the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to act as a fiscal intermediary and provide program management and oversight for the Evaluation of Community Services and Supports (CSS) Evaluation Initiatives. Approval of the second recommended action will allow the Department of Behavioral Health Director to sign related reports and forms, without modifying the maximum compensation, and act as a representative of the County. This service will be funded with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) CSS funds, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the first recommended action, the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) would be unable to conduct an in-depth evaluation of program effectiveness for the DBH’s CSS programs. If the second recommended action is not approved, DBH will return to the Board for all necessary action regarding reports and forms. This may cause a delay in providing and delivering services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Services are fully funded with MHSA CSS funds. The total cost to operate the Evaluation of the CSS programs is approximately $574,837. The cost is inclusive of the 15% administrative fee of total program funding due to CalMHSA. Sufficient appropriations have been included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On September 14, 2010, your Board approved Agreement No. 10-489 with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), authorizing the DBH to join the CalMHSA Joint Powers Authority (JPA), to develop, implement, administer and provide fiscal oversight of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) projects.
On June 18, 2013, your Board approved Amendment No. 10-489-1 with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), broadening the stated purpose for the JPA to allow CalMHSA to perform additional services for Behavioral Health Departments acting alone or in collaboration with other departments, which includes but is not limited to data management, research and development.
On May 7, 2024, your Board approved Fresno County’s MHSA FY 2024-25 Annual Update, which included independent evaluators to provide evaluation of DBH’s CSS programs. The evaluators would develop an effective evaluation design and evaluation of the CSS programs to objectively measure the program’s effectiveness. The recommended Participation Agreement will establish process for DBH to continue future/on-going evaluation of CSS programs.
The recommended Participation Agreement will grant CalMHSA authority to contract with RAND Corporation for services on behalf of the County. RAND will assist DBH with evaluation of its CSS programs. The evaluation will ensure programs are addressing specific needs, goals and outcomes, thus allowing for more effective monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the services.
The recommended Participation 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 agreement does not include standard insurance requirements and indemnity language. However, the recommended Participation Agreement contains mutual indemnification language. DBH believes that the benefits of the recommended Participation Agreement outweigh any potential risks.
Upon approval by your Board, the recommended Participation Agreement will be effective upon execution through June 30, 2025, with the option for early termination in which either party may withdraw from the program upon a six-month written notice, or extend as deemed appropriate with prior written notice and the availability of funds. Upon cancellation, termination or other conclusions of this contract, any County funds remaining undisbursed after CalMHSA satisfies all obligations arising from the administration of the program shall be returned to the County.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI#31, May 7, 2024
BAI #57, June 13, 2013
BAI #39, September 14, 2010
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CalMHSA
CAO ANALYST:
Amina Flores-Becker