To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with Traditions Behavioral Health, a Psychological Corporation, Regarding the Provision of Licensed Personnel to Fill Various Psychiatrist Positions at Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Facilities
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 Traditions Behavioral Health, a Psychological Corporation, regarding the provision of licensed personnel to fill various psychiatrist positions at Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health facilities for the period of July 1, 2022 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 professional services agreement with Traditions Behavioral Health, a Psychological Corporation, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original copy of the attached professional services agreement with Traditions Behavioral Health, a Psychological Corporation, to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
On July 20, 2021 (Item D-15), the Board of Supervisors approved the current professional services agreement with Traditions Behavioral Health, a Psychological Corporation (“TBH”), regarding the provision of licensed personnel to fill various psychiatrist positions at Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (“DHHS - Behavioral Health”) facilities for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
Despite the County of Humboldt’s ongoing recruitment efforts, DHHS - Behavioral Health continues to experience significant difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified psychiatrists to provide mandated mental health treatment services. Due to the shortage of available psychiatrists and other behavioral health treatment providers, the United States Department of Health and Human Services - Health Resources and Services Administration defines Humboldt County as a federally designated Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Area (“HPSA”). Mental Health HPSAs are based on a psychiatrist to population ratio of 1:30,000. However, this shortage in specialty behavioral health care providers is not endemic to Humboldt County or limited to the northern region of the state. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Center for Integrated Health Solutions states “rural communities have a chronic shortage of behavioral health providers and limited access to services.”
The attached professional services agreement with TBH will allow for the placement of one (1) full-time equivalent (“FTE”) Behavioral Health Medical Director, two (2) FTE adult outpatient psychiatrists, one (1) FTE children’s outpatient psychiatrist and approximately four and four-tenths (4.4) FTE inpatient psychiatrists for Sempervirens and the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with TBH regarding the provision of licensed personnel to fill various psychiatrist positions at DHHS - Behavioral Health facilities for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. 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 the attached professional services agreement with TBH, 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 personnel.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with TBH has a maximum amount payable of Five Million One Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars and Fifty-Six Cents ($5,128,378.56) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. The maximum amount payable for the services provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of the attached professional services agreement with TBH includes the salary and administrative costs associated with the personnel provided. In the event 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 TBH in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with TBH have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2022-2023 budgets for DHHS - Behavioral Health budget units 1170-424, 1170-427, 1170-495 and 1170-498. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with TBH is available through federal Medi-Cal, Drug Medi-Cal, Medicare, state realignment for Behavioral Health and Public Safety and Mental Health Services Act revenues received by DHHS - Behavioral Health. As a result, approval of the attached professional services agreement with TBH will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, providing opportunities for improved health and safety and providing community-appropriate levels of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached professional services agreement with TBH regarding the provision of licensed personnel to fill various psychiatrist positions at DHHS - Behavioral Health facilities. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow DHHS - Behavioral Health to continue providing state mandated mental health treatment and medication services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Traditions Behavioral Health, a Psychological Corporation, Regarding the Provision of Licensed Personnel to Fill Various Psychiatrist Positions at DHHS - Behavioral Health Facilities.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-12, H-2, C-11, C-10, C-20, C-15, C-7, D-15
Meeting of: 12/14/99, 3/17/15, 4/5/16, 6/6/17, 6/26/18, 7/23/19, 6/16/20, 7/20/21
File No.: 19-1059, 20-660, 21-939