DATE: November 17, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
Joe Prado, Director, Department of Public Health
Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer, Probation Department
Steven E. White, Director, Department of Public Works and Planning
James A. Kus, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
Melissa Cregan, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Alimat Adebiyi, Executive Director, In-Home Supportive Services Public
Authority
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with Interpreters Unlimited, Inc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Sitting as the Fresno County Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 26-203 with Interpreters Unlimited, Inc. to revise Exhibit B to add British Sign Language interpreting services, effective December 1, 2026, with no change to the term of May 12, 2026 through June 30, 2031, or maximum compensation of $5,248,500.
Sitting as the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Governing Board:
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 26-203 with Interpreters Unlimited, Inc. to revise Exhibit B to add British Sign Language interpreting services, effective December 1, 2026, with no change to the term of May 12, 2026 through June 30, 2031, or maximum compensation of $5,248,500.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended action will allow the participating departments to support persons served requiring British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting services. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the departments would be unable to provide BSL interpreting services to persons served in need of this service. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 protects individuals from discrimination based on their disability and provides for equal opportunity to receive program services and benefits. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 forbids qualified individuals, by reason of disability, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or subjected to discrimination by any such entity. Failure to provide interpreting services exposes the County to Civil Rights Audit penalties and/or potential litigation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the approved Agreement ($5,248,000) is funded with State and Federal funds ($4,208,540), Mental Health ($180,000), Public Health ($38,500), and Social Services Realignment ($621,578), Mental Health Services funds ($20,000), Grants and Fees ($52,375), and budgeted Net County Cost ($127,507). Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget for the participating Departments and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
On May 12, 2026, your Board approved Agreement No. A-26-203 with Interpreters Unlimited, Inc. for telephonic interpretation and written translation services.
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) currently has a person served requiring BSL interpretation. Prior to engaging with Interpreters Unlimited, Inc., DBH reached out to the current provider for American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center, who confirmed they do not offer BSL. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center is contracted through a Purchasing Agreement, P-24-354, which was executed on July 1, 2024. ASL and BSL are classified as distinct languages with entirely separate manual alphabets. Interpreters Unlimited, Inc. is willing and able to provide the required service to reduce any risk of miscommunication, ensure adequate medication and therapeutic appointments are provided, and to align with accessibility to services requirements. The recommended amendment will allow all participating departments to access BSL interpreting services through the Agreement at a rate of $135 per hour with a two-hour minimum.
Assembly Bill 339 noticing has occurred, and the Human Resources Department approved execution of the recommended amendment.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board will be notified of the recommended Amendment during the November 2026 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #48, May 12, 2026
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment No. 1 with Interpreters Unlimited, Inc.
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander Jr.