Title
a. Ratify the execution by the Director of Health Services of the non-standard single sharing data participation agreement with Santa Cruz Health Information Organization (HIO), a California non-profit public benefit corporation dba Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO), to participate in the Data Exchange Framework; Data Sharing - Electronic Health Information Exchange commencing on March 28, 2025 and shall remain in effect until terminated as set forth in the Agreement, with an annual cost of $11,500 for a total Agreement amount of $150,000; and
b. Ratify the execution by the Director of Health Services of the Milestone One Attestation Form for Application ID #1061132, serving as the attestation between the Grantee (County of Monterey) and the QHIO (SCHIO); and
c. Approve the recommendation of Director of Health Services to accept all non-standard risk terms and provisions in Agreement to include non-standard insurance and indemnification provisions; and
d. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future Amendments to this Agreement that in total do not exceed 10% ($15,000) of the Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed a revised maximum amount of $165,000; and
e. Approve and authorize the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or designee to execute future Amendments, provided they do not exceed an aggregate amount of $200,000 and fall within the signing authority of the Contracts and Purchasing Officer.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended by the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Ratify the execution by the Director of Health Services of the non-standard single sharing data participation agreement with Santa Cruz Health Information Organization (HIO), a California non-profit public benefit corporation dba Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO), to participate in the Data Exchange Framework; Data Sharing - Electronic Health Information Exchange commencing on March 28, 2025 and shall remain in effect until terminated as set forth in the Agreement, with an annual cost of $11,500 for a total Agreement amount of $150,000; and
b. Ratify the execution by the Director of Health Services of the Milestone One Attestation Form for Application ID #1061132, serving as the attestation between the Grantee (County of Monterey) and the QHIO (SCHIO); and
c. Approve the recommendation of Director of Health Services to accept all non-standard risk terms and provisions in Agreement to include non-standard insurance and indemnification provisions; and
d. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future Amendments to this Agreement that in total do not exceed 10% ($15,000) of the Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed a revised maximum amount of $165,000; and
e. Approve and authorize the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or designee to execute future Amendments, provided they do not exceed an aggregate amount of $200,000 and fall within the signing authority of the Contracts and Purchasing Officer.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In 2021, California Health and Safety Code § 130290 established the California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework. This framework requires certain data sharing among Medi-CAL Managed Care Plans, hospitals, physician organizations, and certain health providers. County health, public health, and social service providers are highly encouraged to participate in the Data Exchange Framework. While various county agencies are encouraged to participate in the data exchange framework, county behavioral health agencies requesting funds to participate in the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-CAL (Cal-AIM) initiative are required to participate in the Data Exchange Framework.
The framework includes a single data sharing agreement and a set of common policies and procedures. The agreement is intended to facilitate data exchange between the participants in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. This agreement sets forth a common set of terms, conditions, and obligations to support secure real-time access to, or exchange of, Health and Social Services Information between and among the participants.
While California Health and Human Services has not required specific technology to adhere to the requirements outlined in the Data Exchange Framework, they have recognized nine Qualified Health Information Organizations (QHIO)s that facilitate data exchanges among participants in accordance with the Data Exchange Framework. As a regional exchange, Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO) was one of the QHIOs identified by California Health and Human Services and has become a data exchange for our Medi-CAL managed care plan and several regional partners. Onboarding onto SCHIO will address current data exchange gaps previously identified by the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau and by sending and receiving more complete health and social services information, will ultimately ensure optimal health services are provided to the community.
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. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community; 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety; and 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 have reviewed and approved this non-standard agreement as to legal form and standard fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund from approval of this action. There are sufficient appropriations in the Behavioral Health Bureau’s FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget (023-4000-HEA012) and provision for this Agreement has been made in the FY 2025-26 Requested Budget.
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: Richard Wagreich, Departmental Information Systems Manager II, 755-4351
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement
Attestation