Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to sign a three-year term Mental Health Services Agreement (February 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024) with the University of Southern California for the provision of “Teletherapy,” for ages 12 and above who live in underserved geographic areas of Monterey County in the amount of $193,009 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22, $218,292 for FY 2022-23 and $218,953 for Fiscal Year FY 2023-24 for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $630,254; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed ten percent (10%) ($63,025) of the original Agreement amount and do not significantly alter the scope of services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to sign a three-year term Mental Health Services Agreement (February 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024) with the University of Southern California for the provision of “Teletherapy,” for ages 12 and above who live in underserved geographic areas of Monterey County in the amount of $193,009 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22, $218,292 for FY 2022-23 and $218,953 for Fiscal Year FY 2023-24 for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $630,254; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed ten percent (10%) ($63,025) of the original Agreement amount and do not significantly alter the scope of services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County currently had Agreement A-14004 with the University of Southern California (USC) which expired on June 30, 2021. The USC School of Social Work, under the auspices of the University of Southern California, operates a Telehealth Unit (“USCTH”), an online counseling and psychotherapy clinic. USCTH is primarily staffed by graduate student interns pursuing a Masters of Social Work (“MSW Intern”) who, working under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker (“LCSW”), provide traditional mental health services to clients in their homes or other private locations via a remote, video-conferencing platform.
USCTH will continue to provide virtual evidenced-based mental and behavioral health care and related services, hereinafter referred to as “Telehealth,” to remedy geographic health inequities in Salinas and South Monterey County regions. USCTH will provide a range of mental health services to clients ages 12 and above including adolescents, transitioned age youth, adults and older adults with presenting problems including but not limited to emotional, behavioral, family and academic challenges related to mental illness and substance abuse; and trauma related to physical or sexual abuse, neglect, incarceration, and exposure to domestic, school and community violence.
This Agreement contains the County’s standard 30-day “no cause” provision (Section IV, B) and an additional defunding provision (Section IV, D), which provides the County the ability to amend or terminate the Agreement in the event of a reduction and/or termination of funding.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-22 Strategic Plan Initiative: 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 the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved as to legal form and fiscal provisions respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is funded by Mental Health Services Act Community Services and Support (CSS) (10%) and Federal Financial Participation (90%). The funds for FY 2021-22 are included in the Health Department Behavioral Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget. The funds for Fiscal Years 2022-23 through 2023-24 will be included in the Department’s requested budget for each fiscal year. Approval of this action has no impact on the County General Fund.
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: Rose Moreno, Management Analyst III, 755-4716
Approved by:
______________________________Date:____________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachment:
Agreement