To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. for Temporary Placement of Occupational or Physical Therapist
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the agreement between Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health and Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. for temporary placement of one Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist in the California Children’s Services’ Medical Therapy Program;
2. Approve, and authorize the Public Health Director to execute amendments to this agreement thereto after review and approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to route the fully executed agreement to DHHS - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
California Children’s Services (CCS) is a statewide program that authorizes diagnosis and treatment services for children with certain physical limitations and chronic health conditions or diseases. CCS provides specialty pediatric physical and occupational therapy at the Medical Therapy Program (MTP) located at Glen Paul School in Eureka. DHHS - Public Health has been administering the MTP since 1980. The MTP caseload consists of children with a variety of diagnoses including rheumatoid arthritis, childhood cancers, chronic orthopedic conditions, cerebral palsy and infants with prenatal drug exposure.
The MTP typically staffs two full-time equivalent (FTE) Occupational and Physical Therapists. The program has experienced ongoing difficulty finding qualified licensed therapists despite continued recruitment efforts. In July of 2017, DHHS - Public Health entered into an agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. for temporary placement of Occupational Therapists for the 2017-18 fiscal year (FY). In July of 2018, the agreement was broadened to include Physical Therapists as well as Occupational Therapists, allowing the MTP to resume providing adequate occupational therapy and physical therapy services to children while continuing the search for permanent placements. By keeping this agreement in place, it will allow the MTP to continue to provide services to between 100 and 120 children in need.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of this agreement will allow DHHS-Public Health to temporarily place one Occupational or Physical Therapist, employed by Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. during the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 for a total not to exceed $154,070. Anticipated salary savings in fund 1175 budget unit 493 - California Children’s Services in FY 2019-20 due to current vacancies will allow for compensation of this agreement. There is no impact to the county General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. This is not recommended as it would impact the MTP’s ability to provide occupational and physical therapy services to children in the immediate future.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. for Temporary Placement of Occupational or Physical Therapist
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-23
Meeting of: 06/26/18
File No.: 18-604; 19-951