To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
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 the agreement between Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health and Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. for temporary placement of one (1) Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist in the California Children’s Services’ Medical Therapy Program for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025;
2. Authorize the Chair to sign the agreement; and
3. Authorize the Public Health Director to sign future amendments to this agreement thereto after review by County Counsel and Risk Manager
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 currently and typically staffs three full-time equivalent (FTE) Occupational and Physical Therapists. In the past, the program has experienced difficulty finding qualified licensed Therapists. If any of the three current staff were to leave county employment, there would be a disruption in service to children with high medical needs. 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 the Occupational Therapists. This contract allows the MTP to continue to provide adequate occupational therapy and physical therapy services to between 100 and 120 children in need, while continuing the search for permanent placements, when necessary.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of this agreement will allow DHHS-Public Health to temporarily place one (1) Occupational or Physical Therapist, employed by Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. with MTP from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 for a total of $170,710.00 per FY not to exceed a total amount of $512,130.00. This amount is anticipated and will be included in the FY 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 annual budgets in Fund 1175, Budget Unit 493 - California Children’s Services. 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 service.
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 event of a staffing vacancy.
ATTACHMENTS:
Original agreement with Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-14
Meeting of: June 22, 2021
File No.: 21-730