Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a two-year MHS Agreement with Psynergy Programs, Inc. for the provision of mental health services for adults with severe psychiatric disabilities, for a maximum County obligation of $5,566,988 for the retroactive term of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed ten percent (10%) ($556,698) of the original Agreement amount and do not significantly alter the scope of services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a two-year MHS Agreement with Psynergy Programs, Inc. for the provision of mental health services for adults with severe psychiatric disabilities, for a maximum County obligation of $5,566,988 for the retroactive term of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed ten percent (10%) ($556,698) of the original Agreement amount and do not significantly alter the scope of services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Psynergy Programs, Inc. operates three (3) licensed residential care facilities that County Behavioral Health has used for years: 1) Cielo Vista, located in the City of Greenfield, which provides the maximum levels of care to assist clients who are at risk of being admitted to a facility requiring a higher level of care, 2) Nueva Vista, located in the City of Morgan Hill, which provides intensive levels of care for clients recently discharged from locked skilled facilities, and Tres Vista also in Morgan Hill, which provides 24-hour adult independent housing and an outpatient clinic. In addition to these three long-standing facilities, this year Psynergy has added two new facilities offering similar services in the Sacramento area: Nueva Vista Sacramento, and Vista de Robles. Under the provisions of this Agreement, Psynergy has made additional beds available for Monterey County residents at the new Sacramento facilities, giving the County much needed capacity for these crucial services. The Psynergy Programs, Inc. residential care facilities provide normalizing experiences and supervision necessary for clients with serious and persistent mental illnesses.
The County currently maintains Agreement A-13628 with Psynergy Programs, Inc. which will expire on June 30, 2020. This new Agreement continues the past relationship with Psynergy Programs, Inc. providing for a continuum of existing services, serving current Monterey County clients and also increasing the number of contracted beds by 28%. The approval of this Agreement will provide the necessary resources and increase the options for clients to be placed in a facility that best suits their needs and to live in the least restrictive community setting as possible. This Agreement meets the requirements of the State Welfare and Institutions Code 5600 (Bronzan-McCorquodale Act), the California Code of Regulations Titles 9 and 22, and sustains the continuity of care services to seriously mentally ill clients of Monterey County.
This Agreement is late in being presented to your board due to delays in DocuSign digital approvals, State 1991 Realignment funding reviews, and other internal and external processing delays associated with the COVID-19 health emergency.
This Agreement contains the County’s standard 30-day “no cause” provision (Section IV, B) and an additional defunding provision (Section IV, D), which provides the County the ability to amend or terminate the Agreement in the event of a reduction and/or termination of funding.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 strategic plan initiative: 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provisions of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is 100% funded by 1991 Realignment revenues. The funds for this Agreement ($2,783,494) are included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) Fiscal Year 2020-21 Adopted Budget. The funds for this Agreement for FY 2021-22 ($2,783,494) will be included in the respective Health Department’s Behavioral Health (HEA012, Unit 8410) FY 2021-22 Requested Budget.
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: Norm Morris, Management Analyst II, 755-1277
Approved by:
______________________Date:_________
Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachment:
Agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board