Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a funding Agreement with California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, Grant Agreement No. 22MHSOAC040 for the Age Wise Program addressing mental health needs of older adults for a period beginning upon execution through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $2,000,000; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign all amendments to the Agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a funding Agreement with California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, Grant Agreement No. 22MHSOAC040 for the Age Wise Program addressing mental health needs of older adults for a period beginning upon execution through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $2,000,000; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign all amendments to the Agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In March 2023, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to award $20 million in available Mental Health Wellness Act statewide funds to support the implementation and scaling of the Age Wise and other programs throughout California with the overall goal of addressing the mental health needs of older adults. The Monterey County Department of Social Services, Area Agency on Aging (AAA), in partnership with Monterey County Behavioral Health Department, submitted an application for the Age Wise competitive grant on April 7, 2023 and was awarded a three-year grant of $2 million on April 25, 2023 to establish and operate the Age Wise program in Monterey County. There was insufficient time to request approval from the Budget Committee and the Board prior to the submission.
Age Wise is a non-traditional mental health program for the high-risk and underserved older adult population. The Age Wise program aims to assist unserved and older adults with serious mental illness or severe emotional disturbance to develop integrated care with respect to their physical and behavioral health needs through intensive case management and wrap around services. Implementation and coordination of the Age Wise program will build on our strong collaboration between Monterey County Social Services, Monterey County Behavioral Health Department, and other county departments/community partners
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Monterey County Behavioral Health Department partnered in the submission of this application and will be an integral component in providing mental health services to older adults. The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form. The County Administrator’s Office - Budget Office concurs with these actions.
FINANCING:
The Department was awarded a state grant for $2 million that is funded by the Mental Health Services Act. This 3-year agreement was not included in the Department’s FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget and therefore the Department will be going to the Budget Committee and the Board of Supervisor’s to request an increase of appropriations and revenues in the Social Services Area Agency on Aging Fund 001, Appropriation Unit SOC010 for the FY 2023-24 Budget needs and the balance will be incorporated in the development of the FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026 budgets.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by working towards the goals of improving health and quality of life outcomes by access to resources and individualized assistance to residents of Monterey County.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Marleen Bush, Management Analyst III x3342
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachment: Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.