DATE: July 9, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with Hinds Hospice for Local Outreach to Suicide
Survivors (LOSS) Team
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Hinds Hospice for a Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team, effective upon execution, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a two-year base contract and three optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $1,378,393.
2. Approve and authorize the Department of Behavioral Health Director, or designee, to make non-material changes to services, staffing, and responsibilities of Hinds Hospice through an amendment to the agreement, subject to the approval by County Counsel as to legal form and by the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector as to accounting form, and to be the signatory on behalf of the Board of Supervisors on associated LOSS Team related reports and forms, without modifying the maximum compensation.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will provide a Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team in Fresno County to provide information, support, warm linkage, and resources to newly bereaved suicide survivors. This service will be funded with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board not approve the recommended action, newly bereaved suicide survivors in the Fresno County might not be linked to timely supports and resources; therefore, suicide survivors would be subject to negative consequences and possibly putting themselves at suicide risk.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation of the agreement is $1,378,393 and will be fully funded with MHSA PEI funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in Department’s Org 5630 FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget and will be requested in subsequent fiscal year budgets for the duration of the contract term.
DISCUSSION:
The Department, through its MHSA PEI component and through input from the Fresno County Suicide Prevention Collaborative and community stakeholder process, recognizes the need of a qualified agency to operate a LOSS Team in Fresno County to help provide immediate assistance to suicide survivors to help them cope with the trauma of their loss, provide follow-up contact with the survivors, and coordinate the utilization of services and support groups within the community.
The principle of a LOSS Team is essentially one of providing hope through connecting with survivors at the time of the loss. The LOSS Team consists of trained professionals and volunteers to bring immediate support to survivors of suicide. The team is activated by first response officials when a suicide occurs to provide resources, support, and hope to suicide survivors. Immediate response will be available in both metro and rural areas, and is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
On December 20, 2023, the Department and the Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division issued Letter of Interest #24-0031, which solicited interest from qualified vendors to provide a LOSS Team. Three responses were received, which led to a Request for Proposal (RFP). RFP No. 24-041: Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team was released on February 26, 2024, and over 60 agencies were notified through Public Purchase. The RFP closed on March 21, 2024, with one proposal received. The accepted proposal was reviewed on April 12, 2024, by an evaluation committee comprised of the Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Public Health, and three community members. The committee recommended the proposal submitted by Hinds Hospice for funding.
Upon approval by your Board, the recommended agreement will be effective upon execution through June 30, 2026, with an option for three additional one-year terms dependent upon satisfactory performance outcomes and availability of funding. The recommended agreement will allow the Director to approve minor budget modifications up to ten percent (10%) of the maximum compensation without altering the total maximum compensation outlined in the agreement, which will allow Hinds Hospice to continue providing services while being able to utilize the entire budget allotted to provision of the LOSS Team. Additionally, approval authorizes the Director to make non-material changes to services, staffing, and responsibilities of the Contractor, as needed, through an amendment approved by County’s County Counsel and the County’s Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Hinds Hospice
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander