DATE: June 10, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
David Luchini, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Amendment to Multi-Agency Access Program Service Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute First Amendment to Agreement No. A-24-306 with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc., Kings View, and Poverello House for the continued operation of the Multi-Agency Access Program with no change to the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, or maximum compensation of $2,200,000.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The Department of Social Services (DSS) has identified a need to adjust the agreement’s funding sources and maximize braided funding to allow services to continue. Approval of the recommended action will maintain Multi-Agency Access Program (MAP) service capacity with no change to the maximum compensation. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the County would potentially be unable to leverage available CalFresh Employment and Training (CFET) funding which may disrupt or reduce MAP services to persons in need in Fresno County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. This Amendment revises CFET funding from a $200,000 maximum to a 50% cost reimbursement of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds utilized for allowable CFET services. By changing the $200,000 CFET maximum to a 50% cost reimbursement, the MAP providers can leverage CFET funding beyond the original $200,000 limit. CFET funds would only be used to offset costs for eligible CFET activities. Additionally, the amendment removes Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) grant funds, which were recently terminated by U.S. Health and Human Services. These funds are being replaced with other public health grant funding allocated to the Department of Public Health (DPH).
The maximum cost of the agreement will be fully funded by Intergovernmental Transfer, Mental Health Services Act Prevention and Early Intervention funds, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) funds. Sufficient appropriations are included in the DSS FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget for Org 5610; the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget for Org 5630; and in the DPH 2024-25 Adopted Budget for Org 5620. Each department will include sufficient appropriations in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The MAP was initiated as a pilot project in 2015 to address the challenges individuals and families in Fresno County face in navigating, accessing, and receiving essential services. To support and expand the program the Board approved Agreement No. 17-006 on January 10, 2017, followed by amendments Agreement No. 22-252 on June 21, 2022, Agreement No. 23-267 on June 20, 2023, and Agreement No. 23-594 on November 7, 2023. On June 18, 2024, the Board approved Agreement No. 24-306 with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc., Kings View, and Poverello House for MAP services to provide linkage and assistance to community services and resources. The MAP program utilizes a screening process connecting individuals and families experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use disorder, physical health, housing/homelessness, social service needs, justice/legal needs, and other related challenges to supportive service agencies.
The County has identified the need to enhance the program by expanding access to services and seeking additional funding opportunities to sustain these services. This will allow MAP providers to offer CFET services to additional participants. Furthermore, there is a need to revise the funding sources to maximize braided funding and optimize its use across various County departments. The Departments of Behavioral Health, Social Services, and Public Health will continue their collaboration in funding, developing, and monitoring these services.
The recommended Amendment is necessary to align the Agreement with all current departments' funding sources to ensure the continuation of services to the community.
By changing the $200,000 CFET maximum to a 50% cost reimbursement, the MAP providers will have a greater flexibility to claim reimbursement for eligible services. This change will allow providers to serve a greater number of individuals who meet eligibility criteria for CFET services.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #45, June 18, 2024
BAI #47, November 7, 2023
BAI #39, June 20, 2023
BAI #36, June 21, 2022
BAI #28, January 10, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to Agreement A-24-306 for the Multi-Agency Access Program
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully