DATE: March 3, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Agreement with WestCare California, Inc. for CalAIM Pre-Release Care Coordinator Services at Juvenile Justice Campus
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with WestCare California, Inc. for pre-release care provider services for in-custody youth at County Probation Department Juvenile Justice Campus, effective upon execution, which includes an approximately two-year base contract and one optional one-year extension, total not to exceed $386,858; and
2. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer, or their designee, to make changes to expense category subtotals set forth in the Agreement budget, provided such changes do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum compensation payable to Contractor, and provided such changes do not increase the Agreement maximum compensation.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow for implementation of a pre-release care coordination service agreement for juvenile wards under the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Justice-Involved (JI) Initiative, which provides services to Medi-Cal eligible individuals up to 90 days pre-release to ensure continuity of care. WestCare California, Inc. (WestCare) was selected following a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The recommended agreement will be funded with a combination of CalAIM Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Capacity Building Program grant funds and Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation. This item is county-wide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If your Board does not approve the recommended actions, the County will not be in compliance with CalAIM JI mandates at the Juvenile Justice Campus (JJC). If the second recommended action is not approved, any changes to the expense categories in the budget will need to come back to the Board for approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended agreement has provisions for a base contract of approximately two years and one optional one-year extension through February 28, 2029. The maximum compensation for the recommended agreement is $386,858 for services to juvenile wards. The annual maximum compensation will be as follows:
• Year 1 $127,702
• Year 2 $128,221
• Year 3 $130,935
The recommended agreement will be offset with a combination of CalAIM PATH grant funds and Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation (FFP) revenues. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Probation Department’s Org 3440 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget, and will be included in budget requests for the duration of the term.
DISCUSSION:
California is the first state to offer Medi-Cal services to youth and adults in correctional settings up to 90 days before release, expanding access beyond the traditional post-release model. Through a federal Medicaid 1115 waiver, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is establishing a coordinated reentry process to connect individuals with needed health care services upon release.
DHCS’ CalAIM PATH JI Funding was distributed in three rounds. Rounds 1 and 2 supported correctional agencies in planning with county social services to prepare for pre-release services. Round 3 funded staffing, capacity, and IT upgrades to implement those services. On November 7, 2023, the Board approved retroactive submission and acceptance of Round 3 funding for the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator, Probation Department, and Department of Behavioral Health.
On February 14, 2025, RFP No. 25-027 for CalAIM Pre-Release Care Coordination Services was released by Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division (ISD-Purchasing), with Addendum One released on February 26, 2025. The RFP closed on March 13, 2025 with 5 bids received.
• California Forensic Medical Group (CFMG dba Wellpath): Jail - $4,310,694; JJC - $1,475,911
• Kings View: Jail - $20,203,461; JJC - $4,285,216
• North Star Wellness Center: Jail and JJC - $3,113,479
• WestCare: Jail - $3,028,888; JJC - $386,858
• West Fresno Family Resource Center: $3,249,956; JJC - $2,376,789
The RFP Evaluation Panel recommended funding the proposal submitted by WestCare after determining that it was the most responsive, with a well-structured plan and with reasonable costs, adequate staffing and strong industry knowledge. WestCare has extensive experience serving the justice-involved population, with strong qualifications in both in-custody and out-of-custody services. Their expertise includes clinical consultation, substance use disorder treatment, and community-based collaboration, reinforcing their ability to meet program requirements. Additionally, WestCare is already enrolled as an Enhanced Care Management (ECM) provider with the Fresno County Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs), supporting a smoother and more coordinated transition of care back into the community.
Under the recommended agreement, West Care will provide pre-release care coordination services at the JJC which include, but are not limited to, reviewing Health Risk Assessments completed by the County’s contracted correctional treatment provider, developing individualized Reentry Care Plans and coordinating with the MCPs to identify assigned ECM Lead Care Manager, and provide care coordination and warm handoffs to community-based providers prior to release. As part of the recommended agreement, West Care will non-exclusively utilize approximately 70.55 square feet of cubicle space at JJC, at no cost, to provide these services. The modification clause in the agreement and action item 2 of this item delegate the Board’s authority to the Chief Probation Officer or their designee to make non-material changes to the agreement. These changes shall not result in any change to the maximum compensation amount. The Sherriff-Coroner’s Office will present a similar recommended agreement for pre-release care coordination services at the Adult Detention Facilities to your Board for approval at a future meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #44, November 7, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with WestCare
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai