Title
a. Approve the standard Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template to be used to partner with school districts in Monterey County for the provision of therapeutic services including, individual therapy, group therapy, parent and/or teacher consultation, treatment planning, classroom observation, teacher training, parent education and referrals for crisis intervention as needed;
b. Approve delegation of authority to the Director of Health to execute the standard MOU, retroactive to July 1, 2014, with school districts in Monterey County using the template in substantially the same form as that which has been presented to the Board without significant change to its content, subject to review and approval of County Counsel, County Risk Manager, and County Auditor-Controller; delegation of authority limited to Fiscal Year 2014-2015, and
c. Approve delegation of authority to the Director of Health to execute up to three future amendments to the MOUs with school districts in Monterey County that would allow extending the MOU through and including FY 2016-17 and do not significantly alter the scope of work where the total amendments do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount.
(ADDED MATERIALS VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the standard Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template to be used to partner with school districts in Monterey County for the provision of therapeutic services including, individual therapy, group therapy, parent and/or teacher consultation, treatment planning, classroom observation, teacher training, parent education and referrals for crisis intervention as needed;
b. Approve delegation of authority to the Director of Health to execute the standard MOU, retroactive to July 1, 2014, with school districts in Monterey County using the template in substantially the same form as that which has been presented to the Board without significant change to its content, subject to review and approval of County Counsel, County Risk Manager, and County Auditor-Controller; delegation of authority limited to Fiscal Year 2014-2015, and
c. Approve delegation of authority to the Director of Health to execute up to three future amendments to the MOUs with school districts in Monterey County that would allow extending the MOU through and including FY 2016-17 and do not significantly alter the scope of work where the total amendments do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The demand for mental health services in the community continues to increase and therapeutic services in the school districts are crucial in meeting the ever increasing demands for mental health services, particularly in school districts with a high degree of violence. It is well documented that students who receive early treatment can be prevented from requiring special education services for social emotional problems and even higher levels of service such as a residential placement facility. Additionally, students who are treated early do better in school and go on to be more productive members of society. The Health Department seeks approval to use the standard MOU template presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 17, 2015, to enter into agreements with school districts in Monterey County to provide behavioral health treatment services. Pursuant to the standard MOU template, Health Department Behavioral Health staff will provide treatment to students identified as having trouble with their educational goals due to social, emotional or behavioral needs.
Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau have been working with interested school districts for over nine months on assessing behavioral health services needed and developing language for standard MOU template in concert with each entities' legal counsel. The standard MOU template is being presented to the Board for approval much later than anticipated due to lengthier than expected negotiations.
The Health Department seeks approval of the standard MOU template and approval for delegation of authority to the Director of Health or designee to execute MOU with school districts retroactive to July 1, 2014 as services have been rendered in school districts since the start of the current FY 2014-15 school year. The Health Department requests additional authority to allow the parties to extend the MOU through and including FY 2016-17.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2011-2015 strategic plan initiative: 1) Empower the community to improve health through programs, policies, and activities; and 3) Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 4) Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and 7) Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provisions of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Auditor-Controller, and Risk Management have reviewed and approved this MOU template as to legal form, fiscal provisions, and risk provisions. Attachment A Table 1, and MOU template are on file with Clerk of the Board. Due to late submission of this Board Report, the CAO Budget and Analysis Division was not provided adequate time to fully review for potential fiscal, organizational, policy, or other implications to the County of Monterey .
FINANCING:
There are sufficient appropriations and revenues in the Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau (4000-HEA012-8410) FY 2014-15 Adopted Budget. The anticipated cost for FY 2014-15 is approximately $920,000 of which $460,000 will be reimbursed by the schools (Attachment A Table 1). The costs for these services are funded by a mix of school reimbursement, Medi-Cal and Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) dollars. Health Department will bill Medi-Cal for services rendered to Medi-Cal eligible students that meet medically necessary criteria. In addition, there is funding available through the Mental Health Services Act for outreach and engagement for students not currently covered by Medi-Cal. The level of each school district's financial support participating for FY 14-15 is described in Attachment A Table 1. There will be no impact to the County General Fund associated with this request.
Prepared by: Sarah Trueblood, Management Analyst II, 8996
Approved by: Ray Bullick, Director of Health, 4526
Attachment:
MOU template is on file with Clerk of the Board.