To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Mental Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC Regarding the Provision of Supplemental Registered Nursing Personnel to Fill Various Positions at Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health Facilities
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC regarding the provision of supplemental registered nursing personnel to fill various positions at Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health facilities for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute additional nursing personnel agreements, and any amendments thereto, that are substantially similar to the attached professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return an executed original copy of this item to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Mental Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health (DHHS - Mental Health) is responsible for providing mental health services to all eligible individuals being served at DHHS - Mental Health’s Psychiatric Health Facility, Crisis Stabilization Unit, Medication Support Clinics and other county facilities, including, without limitation, the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall, the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and the North Coast Regional Facility. In order to meet such obligations, DHHS - Mental Health has contracted with qualified professional staffing firms, including Nightingale Nurses, LLC, who have historically provided supplemental registered nursing personnel due to the difficulties associated with recruiting and retaining qualified psychiatric nurses in Humboldt County.
On June 29, 2018, the DHHS - Mental Health Director executed the current professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC regarding the provision of supplemental registered nursing personnel to fill various positions at DHHS - Mental Health facilities for the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The attached professional services agreement will allow DHHS - Mental Health to continue receiving supplemental registered nursing personnel from Nightingale Nurses, LLC for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
Accordingly, DHHS - Mental Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the DHHS - Mental Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC regarding the provision of supplemental registered nursing personnel to fill various positions at DHHS - Mental Health facilities for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Mental Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute additional nursing personnel agreements, and any amendments thereto, that are substantially similar to the attached professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid potential delays in the provision of needed supplemental registered nursing personnel.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC has a maximum amount payable of $1.8 million for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. However, if local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the attached professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the provision of supplemental registered nursing personnel have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2019-20 budget for DHHS - Mental Health Administration budget unit 1170-424. Funding for the provision of supplemental registered nursing personnel is available through federal Medi-Cal financial participation and state realignment for mental health managed care. As a result, the recommended actions will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached Professional Services Agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC regarding the provision of supplemental registered nursing personnel to fill various positions at DHHS - Mental Health facilities. The Board could also choose not to authorize the DHHS - Mental Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute additional nursing personnel agreements, and any amendments thereto, that are substantially similar to the attached professional services agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC. However, these alternatives are not recommended since they may delay the provision of professional psychiatric services to eligible individuals being served at DHHS - Mental Health facilities.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Nightingale Nurses, LLC. Regarding the Provision of Supplemental Registered Personnel to Fill Various Positions at DHHS - Mental Health Facilities
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-15
Meeting of: 2/19/19
File No.: 19-120; 19-937