Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an agreement with each of the County Mental Health Plan providers listed in the Delegated Authority Attachment A submitted for FY 2026-27 (individually), effective for the terms set forth in Attachment A, not to exceed the individual contract amounts as set forth in Attachment A, for a total in the aggregate not to exceed $73,587,134 subject to approval by County Counsel;
b. Accept and approve the County of Monterey Medi-Cal Mental Health Services Agreement template (“MHS standard template”), containing County’s standard risk provisions of insurance and indemnification, for the provision of mental health treatment services with psychiatric impairments and disabilities by County Mental Health Plan providers (Attachment B);
c. Accept and approve a non-Medi-Cal version of the County of Monterey Medi-Cal Mental Health Services Agreement template, containing identical language but with non-applicable Medi-Cal provisions removed, for the provision of mental health treatment services by County Mental Health Plan providers who do not provide services billed to Medi-Cal (Attachment C);
d. Approve and authorize future updates to both templates through June 30, 2027 in accordance with local, state, and federal law, subject to review and approval of County Counsel;
e. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute the MHS standard template with additional providers for mental health treatment and related services, during FY 2026-27, where the contract amount for each agreement with each additional provider does not exceed $200,000 and where the aggregate amount for all contracts with additional providers does not exceed $2,000,000; and
f. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three future amendments to each agreement with the providers listed in Attachment A that in total, do not exceed 10% ($7,358,713) of the initial contract amount specified in each agreement, and do not significantly change the scope of services, for a total in the aggregate not to exceed $80,945,847.
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 an agreement with each of the County Mental Health Plan providers listed in the Delegated Authority Attachment A submitted for FY 2026-27 (individually), effective for the terms set forth in Attachment A, not to exceed the individual contract amounts as set forth in Attachment A, for a total in the aggregate not to exceed $73,587,134 subject to approval by County Counsel;
b. Accept and approve the County of Monterey Medi-Cal Mental Health Services Agreement template (“MHS standard template”), containing County’s standard risk provisions of insurance and indemnification, for the provision of mental health treatment services with psychiatric impairments and disabilities by County Mental Health Plan providers (Attachment B);
c. Accept and approve a non-Medi-Cal version of the County of Monterey Medi-Cal Mental Health Services Agreement template, containing identical language but with non-applicable Medi-Cal provisions removed, for the provision of mental health treatment services by County Mental Health Plan providers who do not provide services billed to Medi-Cal (Attachment C);
d. Approve and authorize future updates to both templates through June 30, 2027 in accordance with local, state, and federal law, subject to review and approval of County Counsel;
e. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute the MHS standard template with additional providers for mental health treatment and related services, during FY 2026-27, where the contract amount for each agreement with each additional provider does not exceed $200,000 and where the aggregate amount for all contracts with additional providers does not exceed $2,000,000; and
f. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three future amendments to each agreement with the providers listed in Attachment A that in total, do not exceed 10% ($7,358,713) of the initial contract amount specified in each agreement, and do not significantly change the scope of services, for a total in the aggregate not to exceed $80,945,847.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau Board approval of a delegated authority request to enhance contract efficiency by allowing the Director of Health Services or designee to execute agreements for specialty mental health and supportive services without having to request separate Board approval for each agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau has submitted this comprehensive board report to enhance contracting efficiency by allowing the Director of Health Services or designee to execute agreements for specialty mental health and supportive services without having to request separate Board approval for each agreement. Behavioral Health seeks to enter into new agreements with contractors that historically have provided quality services to County residents for many years. The providers listed in Attachment A have agreed to the County’s standard boilerplate insurance and indemnification provisions. The Department will continue to secure Board approval for amendments to any agreements that significantly change the scope of services and in total exceed 10% of the original agreement amount.
Behavioral Health also seeks Board acceptance and approval of two Mental Health Services Agreement templates, one template for Medi-Cal providers, and the other for non-Medi-Cal providers. Both templates contain the standard boilerplate insurance and indemnification provisions.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal(s)
1. Build Community Power and Partners’ Capacity to Increase Equity and Improve Health; 2. Provide Exceptional Person-Centered Care through Accessible, Community-Focused Health Services; 3. Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Workforce Capacity; and 4. Deepen Organizational Effectiveness and Support Long-Term Sustainability. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and Auditor-Controller are referencing the appended Attachment A in conjunction with their current and ongoing review of upcoming FY agreements, to ensure that no individual Contract amount exceeds the Contract not-to-exceed amount submitted to your Board in this Delegated Authority action. County Counsel has also approved both Mental Health Services Agreement templates, pending final approval by your Board.
FINANCING:
There is no impact on the General Fund from this action. As appropriate, the revenue and appropriations for the Contracts referenced in Attachment A have been included in the Health Department’s FY 2026-27 Requested Budget. The funds for Contracts referenced in Attachment A for FY 2026-27 will be included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health (Fund 1310, Department 400005) Fiscal Year 2026-27 Requested Budgets.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This recommendation supports the Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals by improving the health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services, all while promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with 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
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Salvador Cervantes-Gutierrez, Management Analyst III, 279-3755
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez Mendoza, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Attachment A - Delegated Authority List of Providers
Attachment B - County of Monterey Standard MHS Agreement for Medi-Cal Services
Attachment C - County of Monterey Standard MHS Agreement for Non-Medi-Cal Services