Title
a. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to accept a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Jails and Drug Courts Participation Stipend, in the amount of $25,000 from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), to help increase access to MAT in county jails, drug courts, and the child welfare/juvenile justice system;
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute the California MAT Expansion Project Memorandum of Understanding No. 2023-003 issued by DHCS, for a term beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 for a total agreement in the amount of $25,000; and
c. Approve non-standard insurance and indemnification provisions in the Memorandum of Understanding as recommended by the Director of Health.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to accept a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Jails and Drug Courts Participation Stipend, in the amount of $25,000 from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), to help increase access to MAT in county jails, drug courts, and the child welfare/juvenile justice system;
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute the California MAT Expansion Project Memorandum of Understanding No. 2023-003 issued by DHCS, for a term beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 for a total agreement in the amount of $25,000; and
c. Approve non-standard insurance and indemnification provisions in the Memorandum of Understanding as recommended by the Director of Health.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has awarded Monterey County Behavioral Health a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) - Child Welfare Participation Stipend in the amount of $25,000. As the lead agency, MCBH received this stipend after previously applying for and participating in state technical assistance. The MAT - Child Welfare stipend will provide funding towards MCBH’s bolstering of collaborative efforts and technical assistance coordination around developing some best practices for addressing the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis that exists among the child welfare and juvenile justice involved youth population.
The goal of the participating stipend is to support MCBH in leading the joint agencies in determining optimal local approaches to addressing this crisis. This will be accomplished by identifying, collecting, and analyzing data to inform county-specific SUD challenges and needs; collectively determining, with support from State experts, how Monterey County can best maximize our existing resources; and creating a Monterey County Inter-Agency Strategic Plan for an effective coordinated level of care system for SUD treatment for youth and their families. Through this stipend MCBH will be assisted in building upon the groundwork laid in participation in 2021-22’s Learning Collaborative and technical assistance and continue work with the collaborative team that was formed during this time.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Enhance public health and safety through prevention. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically 2. Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population and 4. Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Offices of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this MOU as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively. Risk Management has not approved this MOU due to non-standard indemnification, limitation of liability, and insurance provisions.
FINANCING:
The Jails and Drug Courts Participation Stipend provides a total amount of $25,000 for the term of the MOU. The stipend will fund staff costs that will be participating and engaging in the MAT expansion project. There are enough appropriations in the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 Adopted Budget (Fund 023, Appropriation HEA012, Unit 8410) for these services. Future fiscal year services will be included in future fiscal year’s requested budgets.
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: Sal Cervantes-Gutierrez, Management Analyst III, 755-4510
Approved By:
______________________________ Date__________________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Memorandum of Understanding