To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Participation Agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority Regarding the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health’s Involvement in the Interoperability Solution and Data Archive Solution Programs
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 agreements 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 agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health’s involvement in the Interoperability Solution and Data Archive Solution Programs for the period of Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026;
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 agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit with one fully executed, certified copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
On July 27, 2021, the Governor signed into law, California Assembly Bill 133 which aims to transform healthcare for Californians by expanding Medi-Cal eligibility, investing in behavioral health initiatives and requiring providers and health plans to share data with each other by 2024. Section 130290 of the California Health and Safety Code established the creation of the California Health and Human Services (CalHHS) Data Exchange Framework.
While parts of California’s health care system rely on coordinated, interoperable electronic systems, other parts rely on decentralized, manual and siloed systems of clinical and administrative data exchange that is voluntary in many situations. This voluntary patchwork imposes burdens on providers and patients, limits the health care ecosystem from making material advances in equity, quality and functionally and inhibits patient access to personalized, longitudinal health records. Further, a lack of clear policies and requirements to share data between payers, providers, hospitals and public health systems is a significant hindrance.
The CalHHS Data Exchange Framework is not a new technology or centralized data repository; instead, it is an agreement across health and human services systems and providers to share information safely. That means every health care provider can access the information they need to treat individuals quickly and safely. The CalHHS Data Exchange Framework will allow health care, behavioral health and social services agencies to connect with each other to deliver what Californians need to be healthy and better assess how to address the needs of all communities.
On Feb. 28, 2023, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the single data sharing agreement with the California Health and Human Services Agency, intended to facilitate the exchange of health information among health care entities, government agencies and social service programs statewide through implementation of the CalHHS Data Exchange Framework.
The California Mental Health Services Authority Interoperability Solution and Data Archive Solution Programs will provide support to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (DHHS - Behavioral Health), meet the requirements of the CalHHS Data Exchange Framework and comply with applicable Interoperability requirements.
As part of the Interoperability Solution Program, the California Mental Health Services Authority will provide “CalMHSA Connex,” a managed Interoperability software as a service solution to assist DHHS - Behavioral Health in meeting applicable local, state and federal interoperability requirements. CalMHSA Connex will facilitate the exchange of protected health information, personally identifiable information and other information between organizations, and allow DHHS - Behavioral Health to connect to larger national exchange networks.
As part of the Data Archive Solution Program, the California Mental Health Services Authority will provide Microsoft Azure Cloud database solution and professional implementation and support services to assist with archiving legacy application Electronic Medical Record databases to a secure Cloud environment and will facilitate the ability to meet Patient Portal access requirements. Through this Program, the California Mental Health Services Authority will assist DHHS - Behavioral Health with retaining copies of and access to legacy Electronic Medical Record data in order to meet applicable interoperability requirements.
The attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority will allow DHHS - Behavioral Health to participate in the Interoperability Solution and Data Archive Solution Programs for the period of Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026. It should be noted that the attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority come to the Board after the start date thereof due to inadvertent delays that occurred during the contract development process.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170-424)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$227,386 |
$54,266 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$227,386 |
$54,266 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$227,386 |
$54,266 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$227,386 |
$54,266 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority have a combined maximum amount payable of $281,652 for the period of Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026. In no event shall the maximum amount paid under the attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority exceed $227,386 in fiscal year 2024-2025 and $54,266 in fiscal year 2025-2026. However, in the event local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may terminate attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority in their entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2024-2025 budget for DHHS - Behavioral Health budget unit 1170-424. Funding for the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority is available through state and federal revenues received by DHHS - Behavioral Health.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
Approval of the attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached participation agreements with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding DHHS - Behavioral Health’s involvement in the Interoperability Solution and Data Archive Solution Programs. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will severely limit DHHS - Behavioral Health’s ability to comply with applicable data exchange and interoperability requirements.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CalMHSA Interoperability Solution Program Participation Agreement
2. CalMHSA Data Archive Solution Program Participation Agreement
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None