Title
a. Accept and approve for use in Fiscal Year 2016-2017 the standard Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) template for the provision by clinical staff of the County of Monterey Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau of therapeutic services to students in the following Monterey County school districts (“School Districts”): Carmel Unified School District, Chualar Union School District, Gonzales Unified School District, King City Union School District, Salinas City Elementary School District, Salinas Union High School District, San Antonio Union Elementary School District, San Ardo Union Elementary School District, San Lucas Union School District, Soledad Unified School District and South County Joint Union High School District, for a total of $1,996,600.00, see Exhibit A for a breakdown of costs for each school district; and
b. Approve execution by the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health of the MOUs with School Districts in the amounts set forth in Exhibit A using the template in substantially the same form as that which has been presented to the Board without significant change to its content, subject to review and approval of County Counsel, County Risk Manager, and County Auditor-Controller; delegation of authority expires June 30, 2017; and
c. Approve execution by the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health of future amendments to the MOUs with the School Districts that do not significantly alter the scope of work; Authority expires June 30, 2017.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept and approve for use in Fiscal Year 2016-2017 the standard Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) template for the provision by clinical staff of the County of Monterey Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau of therapeutic services to students in the following Monterey County school districts (“School Districts”): Carmel Unified School District, Chualar Union School District, Gonzales Unified School District, King City Union School District, Salinas City Elementary School District, Salinas Union High School District, San Antonio Union Elementary School District, San Ardo Union Elementary School District, San Lucas Union School District, Soledad Unified School District and South County Joint Union High School District, for a total of $1,996,600.00, see Exhibit A for a breakdown of costs for each school district; and
b. Approve execution by the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health of the MOUs with School Districts in the amounts set forth in Exhibit A using the template in substantially the same form as that which has been presented to the Board without significant change to its content, subject to review and approval of County Counsel, County Risk Manager, and County Auditor-Controller; delegation of authority expires June 30, 2017; and
c. Approve execution by the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health of future amendments to the MOUs with the School Districts that do not significantly alter the scope of work; Authority expires June 30, 2017.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Health Department - Behavioral Health Bureau (“MCBH”) requests the Board of Supervisors to accept and approve the use of the MOU Template to enter into agreements with Carmel Unified School District, Chualar Union School District, Gonzales Unified School District, King City Union School District, Salinas City Elementary School District, Salinas Union High School District, San Antonio Union Elementary School District, San Ardo Union Elementary School District, San Lucas Union School District, Soledad Unified School District and South County Joint Union High School District, hereinafter referred to as “School Districts” to provide Behavioral Health Treatment services in accordance with the MOU between the School Districts and MCBH. Pursuant to the MOU template, MCBH staff will provide treatment to students identified as having trouble with their educational goals due to social, emotional or behavioral needs. Treatment services shall include individual therapy, group therapy, parent and/or teacher consultation, treatment planning, classroom observation, teacher training, parent education and referrals for crisis intervention
This MOU template provides for the County of Monterey standards of policy and best practices for confidentiality, cultural competency, non-discrimination, indemnification and insurance provisions. Using a pre-Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved MOU template for each participating School District will help us to streamline administrative processing and reduce timeline for execution.
The School Districts participating for this FY 16-17 have agreed to provide a portion of the cost for each position to MCBH for the provision of these services. MCBH will be funding the remaining cost of these positions by billing Medi-Cal for eligible students for whom the services are determined to be medically necessary and additional funding available through the Mental Health Services Act (“MHSA”) for outreach and engagement for students not currently covered by MediCal. The level of each School District’s financial support and estimated costs for MCHB participating for FY 16-17 is described Exhibit A.
The demand for mental health services in the community continues to increase and therapeutic services in the School Districts are crucial in meeting the ever increasing demands for mental health services, particularly in School Districts with a high degree of violence. It is well documented that students who receive early treatment can be prevented from requiring special education services for social emotional problems and even higher levels of service such as a residential placement facility. Additionally, students who are treated early do better in school and go on to be more productive members of society.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2011-2015 strategic plan initiative: 1) Empower the community to improve health through programs, policies, and activities; and 3) Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 4) Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and 7) Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provisions of health care when otherwise unavailable.
This MOU template contains a 30 day termination “without cause” provision (Section 9, Paragraph a.), which provides that either the County or School District may cancel the agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Counsel, Auditor-Controller, and Risk Management have reviewed and approved this MOU template as to legal form, fiscal provisions, and insurance requirements. A copy of this MOU template is on file with Clerk of the Board.
FINANCING:
These services are included and recommended in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2016-17 Recommended Budget. The School Districts have agreed to provide reimbursement of a portion of MCHBs cost for provision of services. MCBH will bill Medi-Cal for services rendered to Medi-Cal eligible students that meet medically necessary criteria. In addition, there is funding available through the MHSA (Mental Health Services Act) for outreach and engagement for students not currently covered by Medi-Cal. The level of each school district’s financial support will be based on the number of positions for FY 16-17 and is described in Exhibit A.
Prepared by: Sarah Trueblood, Management Analyst II, 8996
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Interim Director of Health, 4743
Attachment:
Exhibit A is on file with the Clerk of the Board
MOU template is on file with Clerk of the Board