Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Zero-Cost Vehicle Use Agreement between The California Department of Health Care Services (“DHCS”) (Grantor) and the County of Monterey Health Department (Grantee) for the rights to use DHCS property and vehicles by the Behavioral Health Bureau Mobile Crisis staff retroactive to July 1, 2025 for the full term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2031, with no impact on the General Fund; and
b. Approve non-standard indemnification and insurance provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Zero-Cost Vehicle Use Agreement between The California Department of Health Care Services (“DHCS”) (Grantor) and the County of Monterey Health Department (Grantee) for the rights to use DHCS property and vehicles by the Behavioral Health Bureau Mobile Crisis staff retroactive to July 1, 2025 for the full term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2031, with no impact on the General Fund; and
b. Approve non-standard indemnification and insurance provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services.
SUMMARY:
DHCS established the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round One Grants to award competitive grants to qualified entities to support behavioral health mobile crisis and non-crisis services, and to fund Crisis Care Mobile Units (CCMU). The vehicles are used for Mobile Crisis response to individuals in crisis throughout Monterey County, 24/7.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau accepted a BHCIP Round One grant to purchase Crisis Care Mobile Unit (CCMU) vehicles. Grantee entered into a contract, AHP-21-10349 (“Prime Contract”), with Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), who was acting as DHCS’s agent to administer Round One grants. The grant period was from September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025.
Grant funds were used by Grantee to purchase vehicles necessary for Mobile Crisis teams to be able to reach and serve individuals in crisis throughout Monterey County 24/7, while meeting response time mandated by the state. Additionally, the grant helped expand Mobile Crisis Field Operation infrastructure through the acquisition of vehicles and vital equipment, and training.
Service calls are received by Family Service Agency of the Central coast, who operate our Community Crisis line and 988 numbers. Calls are triaged based on caller need, to include referrals to behavioral health services, and/or dispatch mobile crisis response teams as needed to individuals in the community experiencing a mental health crisis. Additionally, Mobile Crisis Teams respond to calls as requested by law enforcement.
This grant is retroactive to July 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2031. Retroactive status is due to a delay in DHCS providing the Zero-Cost Vehicle Use Agreement, which was recently received.
This work supports the following County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal(s): 2) Provide Exceptional Person-Center Care through Accessible, Community-Focused Health Services. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7) Link people to need personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Offices of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
The Zero-Cost Vehicle Use Agreement does not provide further funding; therefore, approval of this action has no impact on the County General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This agreement will continue to help create accessibility to mental health care during a crisis in various settings, including underserved areas, while reducing the need for emergency department care, psychiatric inpatient hospitalizations, and law enforcement involvement.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
_X__ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
_X__ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Sandra Cortez, Management Analyst II, 755-4694
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Zero-Cost Vehicle Use Agreement Number 25-50262