To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority Regarding the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Waive the requirements of the Humboldt County Nuclear-Free Ordinance with regard to the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority;
2. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program; and
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations and documents directly associated with, the attached participation agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170)
DISCUSSION:
In alignment with California State Senate Bill 803, and California Department of Health Care Services Behavioral Health Information Notice 21-041, the California Mental Health Services Authority is currently in the process of developing a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program on behalf of counties throughout the State of California. The California Mental Health Services Authority will be responsible for implementing and administering all components of the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program, including, without limitation, required data collection and submission, certification of peers, exam administration, investigations and approving, auditing and monitoring training vendors.
The attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority will allow the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (“DHHS - Behavioral Health”) to take an active role in the development and implementation of the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. It should be noted that the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority comes to the Board after the start date thereof due to inadvertent delays that occurred during the contract development process.
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations and documents directly associated with, the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to ensure DHHS - Behavioral Health’s continued participation in the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program. As a result, approval of the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, supporting self-reliance of citizens, 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 participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would impact DHHS - Behavioral Health’s ability to meet the Medi-Cal certification program requirements established by the California Department of Health Care Services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority Regarding the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A