Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Amendment No.1 to the Mental Health Services Agreement A-17543, with Partners for Peace to provide support to the Rainbow Connections Innovation Plan by providing culturally responsive services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth and their families in the amount of $254,093 for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $1,286,357 for an amended term of March 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($128,635) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $1,414,992.
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 Amendment No.1 to the Mental Health Services Agreement A-17543, with Partners for Peace to provide support to the Rainbow Connections Innovation Plan by providing culturally responsive services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth and their families in the amount of $254,093 for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $1,286,357 for an amended term of March 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($128,635) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $1,414,992.
SUMMARY:
Partners for Peace and County of Monterey, Health Department - Behavioral Health Bureau executed Agreement A-17543. This agreement was for the term of March 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 to provide culturally relevant parenting classes through the Strengthening Families, Loving Solutions, and Familia Adelante programs as well as for the Rainbow Connections Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation Plan, specifically through a Family Support Partner to serve parents, caregivers and family members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth in Monterey County. This amendment is put forward to extend the term of the agreement until June 30, 2027 for the Rainbow Connections program.
DISCUSSION:
Partners for Peace has been building strong families for a peaceful community for twenty-five years and provides a continuum of services for parents, families and youth. Partners for Peace seeks to improve social competencies, parenting skills and the parent-child relationship. The current agreement with Partners for Peace includes Culturally Relevant Parenting Classes, which provides parenting education through three different models, tailored for specific groups, as well as support to the Rainbow Connections Innovation Plan.
Strengthening Families is for parents and caregivers and their children ages 10-16. Loving Solutions is a prevention model for parents of youth ages 5 to 10 years old that focuses on healthy habits, positive discipline, and communication and bonding. The Parent Project model is for parents and caregivers with youth ages 11-17 and addresses challenging and destructive behaviors, including gang adjacent activity, drug and alcohol use, and violence in the community or home. Due to the shifting landscape of behavioral health in California, funding is no longer available to support these programs. They will term on June 30, 2026.
As a participating vendor in the Rainbow Connections Innovation Plan, Partners for Peace provides a Family Support Partner (FSP) to serve parents, caregivers and family members of LGBTQ youth in Monterey County. The Family Support Partner increases family acceptance through offering culturally responsive individual and group support, helps them to engage, advocate for, and actively participate in obtaining services and care and make informed decisions to reduce their LGBTQ child’s risk of mental health problems and increases well-being and family connectedness. Partners for Peace engages the communities of Monterey County in increasing awareness of the importance of family acceptance for LGBTQ youth. The amendment will extend this important work for one additional year, through June 30, 2026, and add funds to allow for Partners for Peace to continue to provide this support.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Provide exceptional person-centered care through accessible, community-focused health services. It also supports the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7. Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel, Risk Management, and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is funded by the Rainbow Connections Innovation Plan through the Mental Health Services Act. The funds for this Agreement are included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau (Fund 1310, Department 400005) Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This recommendation supports and advances the Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goal of Well-Being and Quality of Life by continuing the provision of culturally relevant support and services to underserved communities.
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:
Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice:
Prepared by: Ashley Schafer, Management Analyst II, 755-4924
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment(s):
Board Report
Amendment No. 1
Agreement