To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Awarding of RFP #DHHS2021-06 for medical care at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and Humboldt County Juvenile Hall to Wellpath.
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Award RFP #DHHS2021-06 to Wellpath;
2. Authorize the Sheriff, or a designee thereof, to complete negotiations with Wellpath regarding the contract for medical care at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and Humboldt County Juvenile Hall;
3. Direct the Sheriff’s Office staff to return to the Board once negotiations are completed to get approval on a negotiated contract with Wellpath.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund, Community Corrections Partnership
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) and Humboldt County Juvenile Hall (JH) are required to provide medical care to those incarcerated in each facility. The HCCF has a rated capacity of 417 adults and JH has a maximum capacity of 30 minors. Wellpath (formerly CFMG) has been contracted to provide these services for the county for the past 20+ years and have provided quality care over that time and the current contract with Wellpath expires on March 31, 2022. Wellpath was also the only vendor to bid on this RFP. Over the recent years, the industry standard and expectation have increased to provide more comprehensive services to those who are incarcerated. With prison realignment initiatives that incarcerate individuals longer at the county level, the county is faced with an older, sicker population that requires more long-term care plans, along with additional programs such as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). As expected, this leads to increased medical expenses across the board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Historically, funding for these services have come from the county’s General Fund, consistent with most counties we have inquired to throughout the state. For Fiscal Year 2022-23, the proposed cost is approximately $5.2 million, with slight increases built in for the following 2 years to account for standard increases in personnel and operating costs. This total does include development of a MAT program to treat opioid abuse patients. Once negotiations are complete, staff will return with a supplemental budget to pay for any increases for FY 2021-22.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing for and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to authorize the Sheriff or designee to enter into negotiations however, this is not recommended as the county is required to provide medical services to the incarcerated population under its care and supervision. Failure to provide proper services would be both inhumane as well as negligent on the county’s part and subject the county to significant liability exposure.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. County RFP #DHHS2021-06
2. RFP Response from Wellpath
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A