To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Mental Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. Regarding the Provision of Licensed Personnel to Fill the Senior Activity Therapist and Supervising Mental Health Clinician Positions at the County’s Psychiatric Health Facility
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. which allows for the provision of licensed personnel to fill the Senior Activity Therapist and Supervising Mental Health Clinician positions at the county’s Psychiatric Health Facility for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc., after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a fully executed original copy of the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
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 the county’s Psychiatric Health Facility, Crisis Stabilization Unit, Medication Support Clinics and other county facilities, including 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 Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc., who have historically provided supplemental personnel due to the difficulties associated with recruiting and retaining qualified behavioral health personnel in Humboldt County.
Despite the ongoing recruitment efforts of DHHS - Mental Health and the Humboldt County Human Resources Department, DHHS - Mental Health continues to experience significant difficulties recruiting a qualified Senior Activity Therapist and Supervising Mental Health Clinician to provide mandated rehabilitation, clinical and supervision services at the county’s Psychiatric Health Facility.
Accordingly, DHHS - Mental Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare, Inc. which allows for the provision of licensed personnel to fill the Senior Activity Therapist and Supervising Mental Health Clinician positions at the county’s Psychiatric Health Facility. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Mental Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc., 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 rehabilitation, clinical and supervision services at the county’s Psychiatric Health Facility.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. has a maximum amount payable of $588,640 for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. In no event shall the maximum amount paid under the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. exceed $294,320 per fiscal year for fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21. 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 Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2019-20 budget for DHHS - Mental Health Administration budget unit 1170-424. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. is available through federal Medi-Cal, state realignment and Mental Health Services Act revenues received by DHHS - Mental Health. As a result, approval of the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached professional services agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. regarding the provision of licensed personnel to fill the Senior Activity Therapist and Supervising Mental Health Clinician positions at the county’s Psychiatric Health Facility. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow DHHS - Mental Health to provide the rehabilitation, clinical and supervision services required by the California Welfare and Institutions Code.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. Regarding the Provision of Licensed Personnel to Fill the Senior Activity Therapist and Supervising Mental Health Clinician Positions at the County’s Psychiatric Health Facility
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: 19-902