Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a nonstandard Memorandum of Understanding with Cancer Patients Alliance (CPA), whereby the County of Monterey Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau (BH) will provide CPA with access to training materials and consultation to support peer support specialist certification with payment by CPA to BH in an amount not to exceed $25,410 for a term of May 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025; and
b. Approve the Agreement’s nonstandard mutual indemnification and insurance provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or encompass payment by the County.
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 nonstandard Memorandum of Understanding with Cancer Patients Alliance (CPA), whereby the County of Monterey Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau (BH) will provide CPA with access to training materials and consultation to support peer support specialist certification with payment by CPA to BH in an amount not to exceed $25,410 for a term of May 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025; and
b. Approve the Agreement’s nonstandard mutual indemnification and insurance provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or encompass payment by the County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION
CPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by physicians and community members to address the lack of sufficient, reliable information to enable cancer patients to be partners in their medical care. CPA’s experience is in initiating innovative, community approaches that build on creating collaborations with organizations and health providers and engaging the community to address diversity in cancer care for Salinas Valley’s underserved.
CPA has received funding to help establish improved capacity in Monterey County for direction and support to low-income and Latino clients diagnosed and treated for cancer by professionals, and/or who need guidance to resources in areas of mental health, emotional disturbance and substance abuse disorders and to provide workforce development to this end. BH will offer guidance to CPA and other partners in regard to their Community Health Workers (CHWs) becoming certified as peer specialists in behavioral health under the guidelines of the California Mental Health Services Authority. Under this Agreement, BH will provide access to information on peer specialist training, remain on call during working hours for certification questions, offer professional guidance in regard to certification to the CHWs as may be wished or needed, and be available for certification and job-related interviews with project CHWs.
This work supports the following County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goal: 3) Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreement as to legal form.
FINANCING
The costs associated with providing access to training materials and support and guidance by BH to CPA and other partners for peer support specialist certification are included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau’s (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with these services for FY 2024-25 are included in the Bureau’s (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2024-25 Requested Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiative(s):
☐ 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 gene
Prepared by: Jan Wolf, Management Analyst lll, 755-4735
Approved by:
__________________________________________________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement