To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with Redwood Coast Regional Center Regarding the Provision of Mental Health Services to Clients with Developmental Disabilities
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwood Coast Regional Center regarding the provision of mental health services to individuals that have been diagnosed with developmental disability and mental illness for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwood Coast Regional Center, after review and approval by County Counsel Risk Management and the County Administrative Office;
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all additional nursing personnel agreements needed to effectuate the terms and conditions of the attached memorandum of understanding with Redwood Coast Regional Center, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one executed copy of this item to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170)
DISCUSSION:
In 2004, the California Department of Mental Health, now known as the California Department of Health Care Services, encouraged county mental health departments throughout the state to collaborate with local regional centers in providing appropriate mental health services to individuals that have been dually diagnosed with developmental disability and mental illness.
In 2006, the County of Humboldt entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC) for the provision of mental health services to dually diagnosed clients as required by California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4696.1(b). On July 25, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (DHHS - Behavioral Health) entered a subsequent MOU with RCRC regarding the provision of mental health services to such clients, which expired on June 30, 2020.
The attached MOU with RCRC identifies staff that will be responsible for the coordination and development of a general plan for crisis intervention and psychiatric hospitalization services, and provides for interagency training, dispute resolution, and annual review as required by the California Welfare and Institutions Code. The attached MOU also clarifies the financial responsibilities of DHHS - Behavioral Health and RCRC for clients who no longer meet the criteria for medical necessity. It should be noted that the attached MOU with RCRC comes to the Board after the start date thereof due to inadvertent delays that occurred during the contract development process.
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or designee thereof, to execute the attached MOU with RCRC regarding the provision of mental health services to individuals that have been diagnosed with developmental disability and mental illness. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and additional nursing personnel agreements needed to effectuate the terms and conditions of, the attached MOU with RCRC, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of needed mental health services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to the terms of the attached MOU, DHHS - Behavioral Health shall be responsible for the provision of mental health services to dually diagnosed clients during a period of medical necessity. In the event provision of mental health services to such dually diagnosed clients is continued beyond the period of medical necessity, the client will be placed on “administrative days.” For purposes of the attached MOU, the term “administrative days” is defined as those days in which a dually diagnosed client is awaiting discharge from an acute care facility, but does not meet the Medi-Cal requirements for billing at an acute rate.
DHHS - Behavioral Health is currently required to pay all costs and expenses incurred during the first administrative day or as negotiated by both parties. RCRC is responsible for reimbursing the county for all costs and expenses incurred during and all subsequent administrative days at the Medi-Cal established administrative day rate less any cost eligible for recoupment.
The annual costs incurred by DHHS - Behavioral Health pursuant to the terms of the attached MOU during the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023 is projected to be less than $15,000. Expenditure appropriations related to the attached MOU with RCRC have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2020-2021 budget for DHHS - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424. Funding for the attached MOU with RCRC is available through state realignment revenues received by DHHS - Behavioral Health. As a result, approval of the attached MOU with RCRC 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 health and safety.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached MOU with RCRC regarding the provision of mental health services to individuals that have been diagnosed with developmental disability and mental illness. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would not allow for compliance with California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4696.1(b).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with Redwood Coast Regional Center Regarding the Provision of Mental Health Services to Clients with Developmental Disabilities for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 through 2022-2023
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-10, C-25, C-11, C-7, C-17
Meeting of: 03/26/06; 08/26/08; 07/12/11; 05/13/14; 07/25/17
File No.: 21-50