DATE: June 21, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Participation Agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for the Semi-Statewide Electronic Health Record Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority for the Semi-Statewide Electronic Health Records program, effective July 1, 2022 through March 18, 2029, total not to exceed $10,806,504; 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 Semi-Statewide Program related reports and forms, without modifying the maximum compensation.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Behavioral Health to participate with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to establish a Semi-Statewide California-centric enterprise solution for an electronic health record (EHR) that is grounded on clinical best practices, state objectives, and operational needs of the California county-based behavioral health system. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department Director to sign related reports and forms without modifying the maximum compensation, and act as a representative of the County. The recommended agreement is financed with Mental Health Services Act - Capital Facilities and Technology Needs (MHSA - CFTN) and Federal Substance Abuse funds, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the EHR Program will not be provided to the County. The County would continue with its existing EHR, which is not integrated across the state and is more costly than an EHR that would leverage the resources of multiple counties. If the recommended actions are 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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Services are funded with MHSA - CFTN and Federal Substance Abuse funds. The County’s share of cost will not exceed $10,806,504. The participating counties are paying their agreed upon share of cost directly to CalMHSA. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget and in subsequent budget requests for the duration of the term.
DISCUSSION:
On September 14, 2010, the Board executed Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) No. 10-489 with California counties to implement statewide projects through CalMHSA, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code, section 5897. The JPA allowed CalMHSA to increase cost efficiency and deliver administrative services for California counties. The County can choose to participate in CalMHSA activities, such as the EHR Program.
On September 21, 2021, your Board approved a Participation Agreement with CalMHSA to develop and manage a Request for Proposals for EHR services on behalf of the County. The EHR vendor (Streamline Healthcare Solutions) was selected based on demonstrated experience and resources to provide a web-based enterprise application (SmartCare) designed for clinical best practices, to meet state objectives, and the operational needs of California county-based behavioral health systems and will act as a catalyst for better use of data to drive performance outcomes.
The recommended agreement varies from the standard county template as it was drafted by CalMHSA and is utilized by CalMHSA to execute Participation Agreements with different counties and is consistent statewide. The County is agreeing to limit liability to the amount of the recommended agreement. The County is also agreeing to indemnify CalMHSA for any claims arising from this agreement. The Department believes that the benefits of the recommended agreement outweigh any potential risks and recommends approval of the agreement. As written, the agreement requires a six-month advance written notice for termination.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was made aware of the recommended agreement during the May 2022 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #30, September 21, 2021
BAI #39, September 14, 2010
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CalMHSA
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa