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 The Latino Commission for Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Treatment, Residential Treatment, and Recovery Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with The Latino Commission for substance use disorder treatment services, residential treatment, and recovery services for the term June 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $3,741,448.
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BACKGROUND:
For over 20 years, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has contracted with The Latino Commission for substance use disorder outpatient treatment, residential services, and recovery services to San Mateo County residents.
In April 2016, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Federal Government approved the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) waiver for substance use disorder treatment services. In March 2017, The Latino Commission began providing services under the DMC-ODS waiver, which allowed The Latino Commission and other providers to bill for many more services than they were previously able to.
DISCUSSION:
Through the DMC-ODS waiver, The Latino Commission continues to provide vital substance use disorder treatment services to adolescent and adult County residents. These services encompass a comprehensive approach, including individualized residential and outpatient treatment, family group therapy, alcohol and drug testing, recovery services, and relapse prevention.
Under the B-1 Administrative Memorandum, the selection of providers delivering housing and related support services for mental health clients is exempt from the Request for Proposals requirement. In order to improve service capacity, BHRS may contract for housing and related support services with any willing, qualified provider.
This resolution incorporates the County's standard provision allowing for amendments to the County's fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
Successful treatment discharge occurs when a program participant completes their treatment/recovery plan or when a participant is transferred to the next appropriate level of care. It is anticipated that 95% of clients will achieve a successful treatment discharge.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
Percentage of program participants that will achieve a successful treatment discharge |
95% 71 of 74 participants |
95% 71 of 74 participants |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Latino Commission will positively impact the behavioral health of low-income residents in need of substance use disorder treatment services. Outpatient and residential providers offer bilingual and bicultural substance use treatment services in convenient locations across San Mateo County with the aim of helping residents to achieve long term wellness and recovery. The Latino Commission is essential to assure equitable access to quality care to underserved and vulnerable people in San Mateo County. Most clients have co-occurring mental health needs and other complex needs, including homelessness, justice system involvement, and other physical health conditions.
To advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health disparities, the County requires providers to comply with National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards. The Latino Commission is required to submit an annual cultural competence plan that details current and future efforts to address the diverse needs of clients, families, and the workforce in San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $3,741,448 for the 25-month term. For FY 2025-26 the maximum amount is $1,630,767 and will be included in the BHRS FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. Of this amount, MediCal reimbursement will fund $1,045,879, 2011 Realignment will fund $25,472, Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant will fund $288,724, and Net County Cost will be $270,692. Similar arrangements will be made for FY 2026-27.
BHRS is changing the methodology used to pay contracted providers that are currently paid on a 1/12th monthly advance. Specifically, BHRS is changing the payment methodology for most contracts to fee-for-service and payments will be made in arrears. Additionally, in previous fiscal years, BHRS was granted an exception to pay providers during the accounting “blackout period” in July and August. This exception will no longer be available.
To facilitate these changes, BHRS has agreed to one three-month “pre-pay” for July-September of FY 2025-26 to qualifying providers. This payment will be reconciled in November. This payment must be made in June 2025. However, to make this payment, an ATR is needed. One ATR for all the impacted contracts will be submitted on the May 6, 2025 Board agenda. There will be no pre-pays in subsequent fiscal years.