DATE: January 8, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Dawan Utecht, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission for the Early Head Start Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission to coordinate with the Department of Behavioral Health, and/or their subcontracted staff, for the provision of consultation, assessment and referral services under the Early Head Start Program, effective upon execution, not to exceed three consecutive years, which includes a one-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions ($0).
REPORT
The recommended agreement with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) will allow the County through its Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and/or its subcontracted Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health (IFECMH) Therapist(s), to provide mental health services to pregnant women and low-income families with children from birth to three years of age enrolled in Fresno EOC’s Early Head Start Program. The recommended Agreement includes a one-year term with two one-year optional renewals, with no Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no other viable alternative action. If the recommended action is not approved, access to infant and young children services for low-income families in the EOC Early Head Start Program would be impacted and could result in unmet mental health needs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
These is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended agreement has no exchange of monetary compensation. Services provided by DBH are funded by Mental Health Realignment and Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation (FFP). Medi-Cal billable services include Medi-Cal Administrative Activity (MAA) services, assessments, and ongoing treatment services resulting from the initial screening and referral. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On November 4, 2014, the Board approved agreement (No. 14-679) with Fresno EOC to provide for a DBH Infant-Family Therapist (Therapist), endorsed by The California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health, to provide mental health services to pregnant women and low-income families with children from birth to three years of age enrolled in Fresno EOC’s Early Head Start program.
The recommended agreement will continue to allow a DBH Therapist, and/or subcontracted Therapist(s), to provide services for Fresno EOC’s Early Head Start Program for a maximum of 10 hours per month. This program will provide comprehensive educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional services to improve overall health outcomes and early intervention of low-income pregnant women, infants and young children.
The Fresno EOC Early Head Start Program serves up to 308 enrollees, including up to 33 pregnant women. The enrollees are involved in annual pre-school and home visitation programs. The Therapist provides on-site and telephone consultations, referrals for mental health assessments and linkage to community resources. When appropriate, counseling services are also provided during home visitations.
The Therapist conducts six ongoing Reflective Practice sessions each month to Early Head Start program staff and children/families needing services. Reflective practice refers to the process of thoughtfully considering one’s experiences to identify their strengths and weakness to improve upon or mitigate them. One session is provided to direct service staff, who provide mental health services to infants, young children and pregnant women. While another session is provided to the administrative staff as well. The remaining four sessions are conducted with the enrollees and their families.
If approved, the term of this agreement will be effective upon execution for a one-year term with two optional one-year renewals under the same terms and conditions unless either party submits a 60-day prior notice of non-renewal.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was notified of this item at their November 14, 2018 Meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #37, November 4, 2014, Agreement No. 14-679
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Fresno EOC Early Head Start Program
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald W. Alexander