To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health’s participation in the Fiscal Optimization 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 Chair of the Board and 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 Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health’s participation in the Fiscal Optimization Program for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024;
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 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 (1) fully executed, certified copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170-424)
DISCUSSION:
The California Mental Health Services Authority offers fiscal management support to counties by developing and providing reporting, analysis tools and technical assistance, including, without limitation: tracking and managing state and federal revenue sources, intergovernmental fund transfers, county fund accounts and state workforce and fiscal reporting requirements; reviewing, analyzing and benchmarking of Medi-Cal fiscal data; developing benchmark reports within the Behavioral Health Plan; and comparing each county to their peers with the SmartCare environment, as part of the Fiscal Optimization Program. Additionally, meeting-based technical assistance and consultation is provided by the California Mental Health Services Authority via the Fiscal Optimization Program, which includes monthly one-on-one virtual meetings with fiscal experts, and monthly virtual office hours with all counties to discuss global fiscal issues and questions.
Participation in expert-led fiscal management programs such as the Fiscal Optimization Program is advantageous to counties in general, but especially in the current environment in which significant changes to fiscal policies, procedures and tracking/reporting tools are occurring (e.g., CalAIM payment reform, transition to SmartCare). The County of Humboldt is defined as a “small” county within California, and thus would pay the small county cost charged by the California Mental Health Services Authority for participation in the Fiscal Optimization Program, which amounts to Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($16,000.00) for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (“DHHS - Behavioral Health”) has determined that this as an acceptable cost given that participation in the Fiscal Optimization Program would provide access to industry experts and would enable the organization to more effectively manage a number of fiscal areas, leading to improved overall efficiency and compliance with state reporting requirements.
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board and the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the DHHS - Behavioral Health’s participation in the Fiscal Optimization Program for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any subsequent amendments to 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 for the County of Humboldt to begin collaborating with the California Mental Health Services Authority directly to improve fiscal operations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1170-424) |
FY23-24 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$16,000.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$16,000.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1170-424) |
FY23-24 Adopted |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$16,000.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$16,000.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
The California Mental Health Services Authority charges small counties a total of Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($16,000.00) for annual participation in the Fiscal Optimization Program. This is the only anticipated cost associated with executing the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority covering the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Funding to cover the County of Humboldt’s participation is available within the existing budget allocated for training expenses in budget unit 1170-424. As a result, approval of the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approval of the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority will not impact current staffing levels.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework:
Core Roles: N/A
New Initiatives: Manage our resources to ensure sustainability of services
Strategic Plan: N/A
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached participation agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding DHHS - Behavioral Health’s participation in the Fiscal Optimization Program for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. However, this alternative is not recommended because participation in the Financial Optimization Program represents an opportunity for staff to enhance their skill sets and ability to implement strategies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of DHHS - Behavioral Health’s financial operations.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority regarding the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health’s Participation in the Fiscal Optimization Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A