DATE: March 6, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Dawan Utecht, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Amendment I to Purchasing Master Agreement P-17-223-T for Consultant Services to Develop a Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute retroactive Amendment I to the Purchasing Master Agreement P-17-223-T for consultation services to develop a suicide prevention plan, effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 and increasing the compensation by $109,000 to a total of $209,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will extend the term and increase the maximum compensation for consultant services to develop a community-based, strategic suicide prevention plan and provide technical assistance in implementation of the plan. The original Purchasing Master Agreement was for a term of January 25, 2017 through December 31, 2017 with a maximum compensation not to exceed $100,000. The proposed amendment will extend the term to December 31, 2018 and increase the maximum compensation by $109,000, for a total of $209,000, funded with Mental Health Services Act - Prevention and Early Intervention (MHSA-PEI) funds with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Non-approval of the recommended action would result in an incomplete strategic suicide prevention plan and will likely discontinue on-going community suicide prevention collaborative efforts.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended amendment is retroactive to January 1, 2018 due to lengthy contract term negotiations with the consultants that were finalized on January 26, 2018. Services needed to continue in order to prevent a disruption of momentum toward the suicide prevention efforts in the community, the development of the strategic plan, and the monthly Fresno County Suicide Prevention Collaborative and workgroup meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The original agreement included a maximum compensation of $100,000. The cost of the recommended amendment, which includes an increase of $109,000 to a maximum compensation of $209,000, is fully funded by MHSA-PEI funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget and will be requested in future fiscal year budgets for the duration of the term.
DISCUSSION:
In January 2017, due to a cluster of adolescent suicides in the County, the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) contracted with three suicide prevention consultants through agreement P-17-223-T to develop a comprehensive, community-based, strategic suicide prevention and stigma reduction plan for Fresno County. The consultants were selected based on research conducted by DBH and the community as being local or regional experts in suicide prevention.
In the planning process, the consultants solicited stakeholder input during meetings, interviews, surveys, and community forums. The support from local agencies grew and developed into a collaborative partnership with key community agencies, specifically: Medical Professionals, Office of Education, and Justice Departments. From the collaborative, work groups were formed to lead suicide prevention efforts in their respective professions (i.e., education, healthcare, justice, training, data collection, etc.). The collaborative continues to meet monthly to discuss progress and strategies in the development of a comprehensive approach.
In the next phase, the consultants will continue to gather data from key informant interviews, surveys, and community forums to analyze towards the finalization of the strategic plan. The consultants will continue highly relevant outreach efforts via various media channels and forums. Beyond the delivery of the plan itself, the consultants will oversee the implementation of the strategic plan and provide post-plan technical assistance. Consultants will remain as subject matter experts at meetings in review of materials and recommendations for actions or resources.
The process of developing a comprehensive strategic suicide prevention and stigma reduction plan is complex. The development of the strategic plan was delayed due to the identification of specific cultural and diverse population needs as a result of a community-wide extensive survey conducted. This amendment will increase the term and maximum compensation to $209,000 in order to pay for on-going consulting services, completion of the strategic plan, and post-strategic plan support. The extended term and increased compensation will provide the consultants and DBH the necessary time and expertise to fully develop a comprehensive approach.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was made aware of the recommended amendment during the January 17, 2018 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Purchasing Master Agreement P-17-223-T, January 25, 2017 through December 31, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to P-17-223-T
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander