Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a retroactive Mental Health Services Agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies for a term of August 18, 2025 to February 18, 2026, to start up and operate a four bed Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and a four-bed short-term crisis residential treatment program for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $4,293,864; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($429,384) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $4,723,250.
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 a retroactive Mental Health Services Agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies for a term of August 18, 2025 to February 18, 2026, to start up and operate a four bed Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and a four-bed short-term crisis residential treatment program for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $4,293,864; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($429,384) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total not to exceed amount over $4,723,250.
SUMMARY
The County of Monterey, in partnership with Seneca Family of Agencies, is creating two new children’s crisis programs at Seneca’s facility at 124 River Road in Salinas. The newly renovated space houses a four slot Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and a four bed short-term crisis residential program for children and youth who are experiencing acute mental health crises. These two new programs meet a critical need by providing immediate, intensive therapeutic support for youth close to home and build upon existing crisis services across Monterey County to ensure a robust continuum of crisis resources for children. This Mental Health Services Agreement will allow for the provision of mental health services in the new crisis stabilization unit and the new crisis residential treatment program.
DISCUSSION
The County of Monterey received grant funding to build and start up two new intensive crisis services to serve Monterey County children and youth - a four slot Crisis Stabilization Unit and a four bed Crisis Residential Treatment program. The County of Monterey was awarded the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (“CHFFA”) Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for Children and Youth infrastructure funds to renovate and start up these new programs. Additionally, the County was awarded the Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program (“CCCPP”) grant award by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to assist in developing a highly integrated continuum of services designed to serve foster youth who are in crisis. The County has partnered with Seneca Family of Agencies (“Seneca”) to utilize CHFFA grant funds to renovate their existing facility at 124 River Road in Salinas and the CCCPP grant funds to support the development of the CSU and crisis residential program, as well as two-bed Enhanced Short-Term Residential Treatment Program (E-STRTP).
The County and Seneca have jointly agreed to consolidate the two existing grant agreements and to terminate these two agreements at the time the new agreement is executed. The parties do not intend for duplicative billing for any services or related costs to occur.
These programs will fill gaps in the existing continuum of crisis services available to Medi-Cal eligible and uninsured children and youth across Monterey County and were identified as priorities by a collaborative group of stakeholders. This agreement will allow for the provision of mental health services in the new crisis stabilization unit and the new crisis residential treatment program.
This Agreement is being presented late to the Board due to delays in contracting while the County and Seneca jointly discussed and determined the most appropriate fiscal structure for these two programs, which are the first of their kind in Monterey County.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Provide exceptional person-centered care through accessible, community-focused health services. It also supports the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7. Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The Office of County Counsel, Risk Management, and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is funded by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (“CHFFA”) Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant, the Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program (“CCCPP”) Grant, Medi-Cal, and 2011 Realignment funds. The funds for this Agreement for FY 2025-26 have been included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This recommendation supports and advances the Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goal of Well-Being and Quality of Life by providing two much-need new crisis services to Monterey County’s children and youth. Providing these new resources enhances the existing continuum of crisis services and supports the quality of life for young people experiencing a mental health crisis by diverting them from lengthy stays in local emergency rooms or out-of-county placements.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
_X_ Well-Being and Quality of Life: (Services: Provide service enhancements to support well-being and quality of life.)
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Administrative
____ Other
Prepared by: Ashley Schafer, Management Analyst II, 755-4924
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment(s):
Board Report
Agreement