Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with Ever Well Health Systems, LLC, for Housing and Housing-Related Mental Health Rehabilitation Services and Housing Navigation Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Ever Well Health Systems, LLC, for housing and housing-related mental health rehabilitation services and housing navigation services for the term of August 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,371,941.
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BACKGROUND:
The Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Grant Program is a program from the State of California through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that includes noncompetitive predetermined maximum funding to be awarded to county behavioral health agencies in order to operate bridge housing settings to address the immediate and sustainable housing needs of people experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions, including serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD). The BHBH Program, which was signed into law in September 2022 under Assembly Bill 179, provides funding through June 30, 2027. The BHBH Program addresses the immediate housing and treatment needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions. Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) applied for and was granted a BHBH Grant award in June 2023 for the term of June 23, 2023 through June 30, 2027.
BHRS has contracted with Ever Well Health Systems LLC (Ever Well) since July 1, 2017, for residential care facilities in Stanislaus County to provide services for adults living with a mental illness. These services enhance successful community living and avoid a more costly, higher level of care.
DISCUSSION:
Under the BHBH grant described above, Ever Well will provide 15 beds at their designated licensed facilities and will provide housing navigation support to BHBH-eligible individuals. All BHBH participants will receive case management services, housing navigation, and assistance in applying for and completing applications for appropriate long-term and permanent housing opportunities.
Under the Administrative Memorandum B-1, the selection of providers delivering housing and related support services for mental health clients is exempt from the Request for Proposal requirement. To improve service capacity, BHRS may contract housing and related support services with any willing, qualified provider. A waiver request was reviewed by County Procurement, which recommended submission to this Board for approval.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
This agreement is late due to extended negotiations with Ever Well Health Systems, LLC.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that 90% of clients in supportive housing will move into permanent housing upon discharge or upon program completion.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2026-27 Estimated |
FY 2027-28 Projected* |
|
Percentage of clients in supportive housing moved into permanent housing upon discharge or upon program completion |
90% 14 clients |
N/A |
*Agreement is for one Fiscal Year only
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This agreement will positively impact a critically underserved community of behavioral health clients who have SMI and/or SUD and are underserved due to being unhoused and in need of a residential placement. Residential providers such as Ever Well are a vital resource for housing such individuals. Having this contract with Ever Well affords these individuals an ability to step down from higher acute, more costly levels of care to a community placement. This provider is committed to serving this population and supporting them with being successful while living in a community setting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is August 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,371,941 for the one-year term. Funds in the amount of $1,371,941 are included in the FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. Of the FY 2026-27 total amount, it is anticipated that $1,321,941 will be funded by the BHBH Grant and $50,000 will be funded by Growth Cap funds. There is no Net County Cost.