Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a three (3) year Agreement with Alliance on Aging for the provision of bilingual and bicultural Senior Peer Counseling services in the amount of $237,324 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22, $237,324 for FY 2022-23, and $237,324 for FY 2023-24, for a total Agreement not to exceed $711,972 for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024; 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%) ($34,000) of the original amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a three (3) year Agreement with Alliance on Aging for the provision of bilingual and bicultural Senior Peer Counseling services in the amount of $237,324 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22, $237,324 for FY 2022-23, and $237,324 for FY 2023-24, for a total Agreement not to exceed $711,972 for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024; 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%) ($34,000) of the original amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County currently has Agreement A-14788 with The Alliance on Aging which will expire on June 30, 2021. Alliance on Aging in Salinas, CA provides bilingual and bicultural Senior Peer Counseling services that consists of prevention and early mental health intervention support to older adults (age 55 and older) suffering from depression, anxiety, grief, loss, isolation, adjustment to chronic illness, and other stressors that can occur in the latter third of life. Peer Counselors provide short term one-on-one counseling to older adults impacted by stresses associated with aging that result in distressing emotional states and/or impair the person’s ability to function. Senior Peer Counselors also facilitate support groups that foster emotional support, encouragement, self-empowerment, connection to others, and a safe venue for self-expression. Alliance on Aging also facilitates The Fortaleciendo el Bienestar Program (FeB) which provides Spanish-speaking Peer Counselors who focus on “total health” education. The program emphasizes culturally-competent approaches to improving mental/emotional and physical health.
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:
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 Prevention and Early Intervention (MHSA PEI) revenues (100%). The funds for this Agreement ($237,324) are included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) Fiscal Year 2021-22 Requested Budget. The funds for this Agreement for FY 2022-23 ($237,324) and FY 2023-24 ($237,324) will be included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) Fiscal Year 2022-23 and Fiscal Year 2023-24 Requested Budgets.
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