Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Standard Agreement for a retroactive term beginning January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 with Arlene Guzman Corporation dba Thought Link (Thought Link) for the provisions of services related to consultation, strategic implementation, resource and data optimization, stakeholder-centered transition planning and capacity building and technical assistance services to equip the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau with the tools, strategies, and insights necessary to transition to the new Behavioral Health Services Act framework in the amount of $141,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and $113,000 for FY 2025-26 for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $254,000; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed (10%) ($25,400) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $279,400.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Standard Agreement for a retroactive term beginning January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 with Arlene Guzman Corporation dba Thought Link (Thought Link) for the provisions of services related to consultation, strategic implementation, resource and data optimization, stakeholder-centered transition planning and capacity building and technical assistance services to equip the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau with the tools, strategies, and insights necessary to transition to the new Behavioral Health Services Act framework in the amount of $141,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and $113,000 for FY 2025-26 for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $254,000; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed (10%) ($25,400) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $279,400.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In March 2024, voters approved Proposition 1, which includes significant structural reforms to the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and provides funding for essential behavioral health facility infrastructure through a general obligation bond. The implementation of Proposition 1 is known as Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT). Under BHT, the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) requires each county to develop an Integrated Plan (IP), and an annual update (AU) aligned with BHSA regulations by July 2026.
The primary goals of BHT are to improve access to care, enhance accountability and transparency for publicly funded, county-administered behavioral health services, and expand the capacity of behavioral health care facilities across California. BHT will standardize county reporting to enable comprehensive and transparent tracking of BHSA funding in relation to all public local, state, and federal behavioral health funding.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) continues to provide guidance and develop policies for the BHT. Starting January 1, 2025, counties have an eighteen (18) month transition period for transitioning BHSA requirements.
This Agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2025, due to ongoing discussions/negotiations with Thought Link regarding services. Delays were attributed to recent updates and State guidance for implantation for transitioning to BHSA.
This work supports the following County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal: 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provisions of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel, Risk Management, and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form, insurance, and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is funded by Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) (100%). The funds for this Agreement are included in the Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget. The funds for this Agreement for FY 2025-26 will be included in the respective Health Department Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2025-26 Requested Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared By: Shannon Castro, Management Analyst III, 279-3335
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment:
Board Report
Agreement
Exhibit A - Scope of Services/Payment Provisions
Exhibit B - Invoice Form
Exhibit C - Insurance Exemption/Modification Justification