Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement between the County of Monterey and Sierra Mental Wellness Group for the provision of mobile crisis dispatch and in-person field response services for an amount of $1,660,512 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and $2,931,024 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $4,591,536 and for a retroactive term starting January 2, 2025 through June 30, 2026; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments where the combined amendments do not exceed 10% ($459,154) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the not to exceed amount over $5,050,690.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement between the County of Monterey and Sierra Mental Wellness Group for the provision of mobile crisis dispatch and in-person field response services for an amount of $1,660,512 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and $2,931,024 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $4,591,536 and for a retroactive term starting January 2, 2025 through June 30, 2026; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments where the combined amendments do not exceed 10% ($459,154) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the not to exceed amount over $5,050,690.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey has Agreement A-16618 with Sierra Mental Wellness Group (SMWG) which termed on January 1, 2025. This renewed agreement continues the services provided by SMWG for a term beginning January 2, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
SMWG has been operating three (3) programs for the County of Monterey, Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau and will continue to provide the following services: a 24/7 Mobile Crisis Dispatch program for the County and two 24/7 In-Person Field Response programs, one specific to the City of Salinas and the other for the County, to provide community-based behavioral health crisis response, triage, and stabilization to individuals and families who are experiencing an acute behavioral health crisis. The Mobile Crisis Dispatch and In-Person Field Response programs work together to gather necessary information from incoming calls to triage and dispatch field responders in Monterey County communities to provide in-person risk/safety assessment and crisis intervention, collaborate with existing treatment team members, provide linkage for those individuals in need of further behavioral health services, coordinate with emergency response, and provide follow up services.
Mobile crisis services are designed to provide relief to beneficiaries experiencing a behavioral health crisis through de-escalation and stabilization techniques, reducing the immediate risk of danger and subsequent harm, and avoiding unnecessary emergency department care, psychiatric inpatient hospitalizations, and law enforcement involvement. The mobile crisis services benefit will ensure that Medi-Cal beneficiaries have access to coordinated crisis care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
This Agreement is retroactive to January 2, 2025, due to ongoing discussions/negotiations regarding services for each of the programs with Sierra Mental Wellness Group.
This work supports the following County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goals: 2) Provide exceptional person-centered care through accessible, community- focused 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 the County Counsel, Risk Management and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
The funding for Programs 1-2 in this Agreement is funded by Mental Health Services Act funds (90% or $4,132,382) and Program 3 is funded by a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Salinas (10% or $19,500). The funds for Fiscal Year 2024-25 ($1,660,512) are included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget. Funds for FY 2025-26 ($2,931,024) will be included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) Fiscal Year 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: Sandra Cortez, Management Analyst II, 755-4694
Approved By: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment(s):
Board Report
Agreement