Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to execute an Agreement between the County of Monterey and Ventana Faculty Medical Associates of Monterey County, Inc. for the term retroactive to July 16, 2022 to June 30, 2023 for serving as the County’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFEs) service provider and providing professional and call coverage services for the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), in the amount of $257,210 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $257,210; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($25,721) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to execute an Agreement between the County of Monterey and Ventana Faculty Medical Associates of Monterey County, Inc. for the term retroactive to July 16, 2022 to June 30, 2023 for serving as the County’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFEs) service provider and providing professional and call coverage services for the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), in the amount of $257,210 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $257,210; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($25,721) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Health Department’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator and trained Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs) respond collaboratively with Counselors, Law Enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office, to the reports of sexual assault and sexual abuse cases. The responsibility of the Health Department’s SART Coordinator and SAFEs include conducting sexual assault forensic exams on survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and perpetrators reported by law enforcement within the Monterey County. Exams are conducted at Natividad exclusively. A sexual assault forensic examination consists of a medical examination, evidence collection, and access to necessary medication in the aftermath of a sexual assault and sexual abuse.
The urgency and criticality of conducting sexual assault forensic examinations immediately following a sexual assault or sexual abuse report and providing this service locally, is crucial to the reduction of trauma, providing support for survivors receiving this important medical care, and evidence collection for the prosecution of sexual violence.
After the Health Department’s SART Coordinator retired in mid-March 2022, the aforementioned services were dissolved locally. To help bridge the gap, all SART calls were routed and dispatched to the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center through April 30, 2022. The temporary partnership between the Health Department and the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center, assisted survivors with transportation to Santa Clara County so they may receive a forensic examination after having received necessary medical care in one of our area hospital emergency departments. Amid limited staffing and resources to support the volume and case types, survivors were redirected and transported to Santa Clara County; ultimately, resulting in delayed and potentially forgone examinations.
Ventana Faculty Medical Associates of Monterey County, Inc. is a local contractor whose medical professionals are becoming certified and licensed to provide sexual assault forensic examinations, including call coverage services for SART within Monterey County, providing service directly out of Natividad. The Health Department identified Ventana Faculty Medical Associates as a local contractor to perform the necessary provisions to accommodate the urgent need of critical sexual assault services to survivors and keeping the integrity of each assessment, case, and evidence collection. Ventana Faculty Medical Associates has a current Agreement with the County of Monterey to provide SAFE services which expires July 15, 2022. As part of a transition plan, the agency agreed to serve as the SAFE service provider on a pilot basis and had determined they wish to continue to serve in this role under a new Agreement with the County of Monterey through June 20, 2023.
This agreement will ensure the continuation of local, urgent, and critical sexual assault response in our community. The Health Department recommends execution of this Agreement to ensure SART services continue to be made available locally without lapse in service.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals: 4. Engage MCHD workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable; 8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this agreement as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
The total not to exceed amount of this agreement is $257,210 for the period July 16, 2022 through June 30, 2023. There are sufficient appropriations and revenues included in the Health Department’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 Adopted Budget (4000-HEA014-8438). Future amendments will be budgeted in subsequent Fiscal Years.
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: Juanita Sanders, Management Analyst II, 755-5494
Approved by:
_____________________________Date:______________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachment:
Agreement