DATE: August 22, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Amendment I to Agreement No. A-21-328 with Westside Family Preservation Services Network
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to Agreement with Westside Family Preservation Services Network to revise budgets for FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 for the Youth Empowerment Centers Program, effective upon execution with no change to the term of September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026 or the maximum compensation of $2,078,333.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the vendor to re-structure the Salary & Benefits budget to more closely align with the services provided and to better adapt to staffing challenges. Westside Family Preservation Services Network (Westside Family) operates youth empowerment centers that provide a range of prevention, wellness and recovery focused activities. Services are funded with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI), with no Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the vendor will continue with the currently contracted budget which leaves them unable to utilize available monies to continue to provide the same level of services due to turnover within the system of care. Centers will not be able to remain open at current operating hours and the programs may need to close.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation in FY 2023-24 is $430,000. The maximum compensation for the term is $2,078,333. The recommended agreement is funded with MHSA PEI. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2023-2024 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budget requests for the contract term.
DISCUSSION:
On August 24, 2021, the Board approved Agreement No. 21-328 with Westside Family Preservation Services Network, for the provision of Youth Empowerment Centers for the Department of Behavioral Health. These centers were established specifically to target the westside of Fresno County, a notoriously difficult region to target with Mental Health services due to cultural and socio-economic barriers. The programs have shown great success but are impacted by staff turnover. Approval of the recommended action will restructure the Salaries and Benefits in budget fiscal years 2024 through 2026 to allow the provider flexibility to use positions in the event of turnover to continue providing the same services to persons served. The revised budget will allow Westside Family to adapt their staffing to allow for fewer staff to cover more hours, keeping each site open at the hours promised to the communities.
The agreement is designated as a prevention program. Services are peer driven and target 10-24-year-olds, including the underserved and unserved cultural, ethnic, and linguistic communities in the western region of the County. Services are youth driven and may include, but are not limited to:
• Volunteer Peer/Family Support Services
• Support Groups
• Recreational and socialization activities
• Life Skills
• Education Support
• Employment and Vocational Services
• Family Support Services
• Outreach and education
• Leadership development
• Mentoring/Coaching
• Other Support Services
These services engage children, adolescents and transitional aged youth who may be trauma exposed; experiencing the first onset of serious psychiatric illness; and/or in stressed families. The services offer wellness and recovery activities that include socialization, life-skills training, and other peer support activities.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Fresno County Behavioral Health Board was informed of the recommended Amendment at their July 2023 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #29, August 24, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to Agreement with Westside Family
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander