DATE: October 17, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Dawan Utecht, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Participation Agreement for the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Participation Agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline services, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 ($305,616); 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 Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline related reports and forms without modifying the maximum compensation.
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will assign funding to California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) for FY 2017-18 to act as a fiscal intermediary and provide program management and oversight for the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline (CVSPH) program. CVSPH will serve as the primary suicide prevention hotline for the counties of Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Stanislaus. 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. The services are funded with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds, with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the first recommended action, suicide prevention hotline services will not be provided specific to the County. A local call center is more familiar with local resources and the unique populations served. If the second recommended action is not approved, the Department will return to the Board for all necessary reports and forms.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended participation agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2017, as the Department received the final approved agreement from CalMHSA on September 1, 2017.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Services are fully funded with MHSA PEI funds. The total cost to operate the suicide prevention hotline is approximately $564,725. As the main user of the suicide prevention hotline, the County's share of cost is $305,616, or 54%. The share of cost is inclusive of the 15% administrative fee of total program funding due to CalMHSA. The participating counties are paying their agreed upon share of cost directly to CalMHSA. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On September 14, 2010, your Board executed Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) No. 10-489 to implement Statewide MHSA PEI projects through CalMHSA, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code, section 5897. The JPA allowed CalMHSA to increase cost efficiency for suicide prevention, student mental health initiatives, and reduction in stigma and discrimination related to mental illness. The County can choose to participate in CalMHSA activities, specifically the CVSPH.
The recommended participation agreement will grant CalMHSA authority to contract with Kings View Corporation for services on behalf of the County. Agreement No. 249-2017-CVSPH is a contract between CalMHSA and Kings View Corporation and reflects a partnership with the counties of Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Stanislaus, funded with designated PEl funds. CVSPH will serve as the primary suicide prevention hotline for these counties.
As funding allows, the CVSPH will continue to operate the 24 hours/7 days a week accredited American Association of Suicidology hotline. CVSPH will answer calls through its participation in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, maintain a hotline website, and provide outreach and technical assistance to the involved counties.
During the 2016 calendar year, CVSPH received over 18,651 calls. The Fresno community represented 46% (8,580) of the calls. These calls included 75 'talk down calls' in which callers created a safety plan and did not attempt self-harm as well as 86 'active rescues' in which emergency services were activated due to self-harm activity taking place, resulting in a local life saved from suicide.
The recommended participation agreement is a one year contract 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 conclusion of this contract, any County funds remaining undisbursed after CalMHSA satisfies all obligations arising from the administration of the program shall be distributed to the County.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was notified of this participation agreement at the September 2017 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #28, June 2, 2015, Agreement No. 15-211 with CalMHSA
BAI #57, June 13, 2013, Amendment I to Agreement No. 10-489 with CalMHSA
BAI #39, September 4, 2010, Agreement No. 10-489 with CalMHSA
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CalMHSA
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia De La Rosa