Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Amendment No. 1 to Standard Agreement No. A-17285 between the County of Monterey and Arlene Guzman Corporation dba Thought Link by adding $357,000 to the original amount of $254,000 for the provisions of services related to consultation and implementation of Behavioral Health Transition from the Mental Health Services Act to the Behavioral Health Services Act for a maximum revised County obligation of $611,000 for the term beginning January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($61,100) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $672,100.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Amendment No. 1 to Standard Agreement No. A-17285 between the County of Monterey and Arlene Guzman Corporation dba Thought Link by adding $357,000 to the original amount of $254,000 for the provisions of services related to consultation and implementation of Behavioral Health Transition from the Mental Health Services Act to the Behavioral Health Services Act for a maximum revised County obligation of $611,000 for the term beginning January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($61,100) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $672,100.
SUMMARY:
In March 2024, voters approved Proposition 1, which reforms the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) by changing it name to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), and funds behavioral health facility infrastructure through a general obligation bond. This initiative, called Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT), requires each county to develop an Integrated Plan (IP) and an annual update (AU) by July 2026.
BHT aims to improve access to care, enhance accountability and transparency in county-administered behavioral health services, and expand the capacity of facilities across California. It will also standardize county reporting for better tracking of BHSA funding alongside other public behavioral health funding.
DISCUSSION:
Beginning on January 1, 2025, counties will have an eighteen-month transition period to implement the new requirements of the Behavioral Health Services Agreement (BHSA). Since December 2024, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS or "the State") has been issuing comprehensive policy manuals in phases over the past ten months. The Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) policies include regulations regarding the use of BHSA funding, community program planning, and reporting requirements. The policy for financial reporting, officially known as the Behavioral Health Outcomes, Accountability, and Transparency Report (BHOATR), is still pending. This amendment aims to address the new policies, facilitate the introduction of the BHOATR, and accommodate future state policies related to BHT.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Offices of the County Counsel and Auditor-controller have reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is funded by Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) (100%). The funds for this Agreement were included in the Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget. The funds for this Agreement for FY 2025-26 are included in the respective Health Department Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This agreement does not fall into one of the Strategic Plan Goals, rather the Administrative section as it will provide fiscal and technical support to staff to effectively navigate state and federal requirements.
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
_X_ Administrative - Behavioral Health Transition from Mental Health Services Act to Behavioral Health Services Act.
Prepared by: Shannon Castro, Management Analyst III, 831-279-3335
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 831-755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Amendment No. 1
Original Agreement