To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Participation Agreement with the North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network Regarding the North Coast Care Connect Community Health Information Exchange
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached participation agreement with the North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network regarding the North Coast Care Connect Community Health Information Exchange;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached participation agreement with the North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed original copy of the attached participation agreement with the North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160-511)
DISCUSSION:
The North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network (NCHIIN) is a nonprofit California corporation that operates an internet-based system that provides an interface for secure electronic health information exchange between participants using otherwise incompatible computer systems. NCHIIN’s internet-based system functions as a “translator” that interprets participants’ incompatible electronic records data so that it may be accessed by other participants for treatment purposes.
The County of Humboldt first entered into a participation agreement with NCHIIN for health information exchange services on Jan. 24, 2017 and has continued to do so since that time. NCHIIN began developing North Coast Care Connect Community Health Information Exchange to facilitate sharing of information between health and social service providers. On March 9, 2021, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a professional services agreement with NCHIIN for the development, implementation and management of a CIE Network. That CIE is now functional and the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would benefit from becoming a participating agency.
With the consent of their clients, agencies participating in the North Coast Care Connect Community Health Information Exchange can share client information across a secure data platform to provide coordination of efforts and allow for electronic service referrals. Clients can be better served by participating agencies as they will not be required to repeat their basic information for every agency to which they are referred.
Current participating agencies include Area One Agency on Aging, Southern Humboldt Health Care District, School Based Wellness Center - Humboldt Independent Practice Association, Tri-County Independent Living and Changing Tides Family Services. It will be beneficial to DHHS and its clients as well as the other participating agencies for DHHS to join the North Coast Care Connect Community Health Information Exchange.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1160-511) |
FY22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
17,500 |
59,500 |
17,500 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total Expenditures |
17,500 |
59,500 |
17,500 |
|
Funding Sources |
FY22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected* |
FY24-25 Projected* |
|
State and Federal Funds |
17,500 |
59,500 |
17,500 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
17,500 |
59,500 |
17,500 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
The attached participation agreement with NCHIIN has a maximum amount payable of $87,900 for a period of 3 years.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached participation agreement with NCHIIN have been included in the approved fiscal year 2022-2023 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-511 in the amount of $17,500 for 17 licenses. The second-year expenditures include annual license fees totaling $17,500 and a one-time participation fee of $6,000 per program for seven programs for a total of $59,500 in fiscal year 2023-2024. The final year of the agreement will include expenditures in the amount of $17,500 for 17 licenses.
Funding for the attached participation agreement with NCHIIN is available through state and federal funding, including MediCal, state general fund and CalWORKs Mental Health/Substance Abuse funds. The future expenditures related to the attached participation agreement with NCHIIN will be included in the annual budget proposals. Approval of the attached participation agreement with NCHIIN will not directly impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Currently DHHS staff across multiple programs initiate and accept referrals from and to other agencies, and participation in the CIE will enable staff to do this more efficiently. Current staff efforts accepting and initiating referrals would be redirected, not increased, with the result that no direct staffing impacts associated with the attached participation agreement with NCHIIN are anticipated.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health, providing community-appropriate levels of service and facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Area One Agency on Aging; Southern Humboldt Health Care District; School Based Wellness Center - Humboldt Independent Practice Association; Tri-County Independent Living; Changing Tides Family Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached participation agreement with NCHIIN regarding the North Coast Connect Community Health Information Exchange. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow DHHS to provide coordinated services with other participating service agencies.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Participation Agreement with the North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network Regarding the North Coast Connect Community Health Information Exchange
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-6; C-10; C-8; D-6; D-13
Meeting of: 1/24/2017; 3/27/2018; 11/19/2019; 3/9/2021; 6/8/2021
File No.: 17-0529; 18-247; 19-1652; 21-235; 21-664