To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Mental Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement with LMT & Associates Consulting, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2019-20 to Provide Consultation on Implementation of Complex Continuum of Care and Katie A. Services in Accordance with State and Federal Regulations
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached agreement with LMT & Associates Consulting, Inc. for fiscal year 2019 - 20; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return the fully executed agreement to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)-Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund
DISCUSSION:
Over the course of the last few years, many new regulations have been released that affect services provided by DHHS-Children’s Mental Health including the Katie A. v. Bonta settlement, Continuum of Care Reform and by the federal government in relation to the Affordable Care Act.
Since 2014, LMT & Associates Consulting, Inc. has worked with the county to implement new service regulations to ensure DHHS-Children’s Mental Health is in compliance with all new state and federal regulations and is providing appropriate services in a manner that benefits clients. This new agreement continues the services provided by LMT & Associates Consulting, Inc. and includes the following services:
1. Provide technical assistance and support for the Division’s preparation for and implementation of state Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) activities and services;
2. In collaboration with DHHS leadership, develop and implement strategies to further the Division's implementation of State Katie A. compliance activities and services, including, but not limited to, Treatment Foster Care, and Core Practice Model and the “expanded population”;
3. In collaboration with DHHS and Transition-Age Youth (TAY)/Humboldt County Transition-Age Youth Collaboration (HCTAYC) program leadership, continue support of TAY program development and HCTAYC activities to further TAY program goal of creating an environment where young people thrive at home, school, work and their community and HCTAYC goal to assist youth in building skills in the areas of policy change and youth advocacy;
4. In collaboration with DHHS leadership, develop and implement strategies for effectively screening and assessing the mental health needs of youth including through support of the Children’s Mental Health implementation of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) screening tool, support the implementation of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist 35 (PSC-35), and piloting the use of the CANS by Child Welfare and probation;
5. Assist the county with implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act and other federal mandates changes;
6. In collaboration with DHHS leadership, develop and support implementation strategies to comply with Federal and State regulations and initiatives, including, but not limited to Assembly Bills 1299 and 340 and Senate Bill 82;
7. Provide a detailed review of the county’s continuum of children’s crisis services and provide recommendations and strategies for improvement;
8. Strategize with DHHS staff, including leadership, to ensure sustainability of process changes and program knowledge that will ensure program stabilization and reduce or eliminate the need for additional consultation services;
9. Provide written results from program and service reviews as well as recommendations for system improvements; and
10. Perform other program or service assessments as mutually agreed upon.
A specific and new element in this year’s scope of work is number seven, above, which acknowledges the significant work already done by LMT & Associates Consulting and DHHS Children & Family Services, and recognizes that the long term goal is program stabilization and reduction or elimination of the need for additional consultation services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The maximum amount payable for the LMT & Associates Consulting, Inc. agreement is $98,000. The expense associated with the agreement has been included in the approved fiscal year 2019-20 budget in the amount of $98,000 in fund 1160, budget unit 508 - Child Welfare Services (CWS). The source of funding for this agreement is shared between Federal Title IV-E funds (50 percent) and County 2011 Realignment funds (50 percent). There is no impact to the county General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and protecting vulnerable populations as well as providing and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Education, Tribal Governments, and organizational providers
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the agreement with LMT & Associates Consulting, Inc. for fiscal year 2019-20. This option is not recommended due to new statutory requirements. Any errors or omissions could result in loss of funds to Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with LMT & Associates Consulting, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-9; D-13; C-14
Meeting of: 10/27/15; 10/18/16; 05/08/18
File No.: 19-1022