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 Front Street, Inc. for Residential Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Front Street, Inc. for residential board and care services, for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $1,727,510.
body
BACKGROUND:
Front Street Inc. (Front Street) provides unique services that are both difficult to find and necessary for clients who might otherwise require hospital placement. Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has contracted with Front Street to provide these services since 2008. Front Street is the only Bay Area provider known to BHRS that provides 24-hour residential services for older adults with serious and persistent mental illness.
The uniqueness of the services provided by Front Street, as well as the particular needs of the clients receiving these services, informs the procurement approach that the County has adopted for this agreement, in addition to the Administrative Memo B-1 exception for Housing Services and Related Supports. BHRS publishes a public notice every year to solicit applications for new providers of these services.
DISCUSSION:
Under this agreement, Front Street will provide 10 dedicated beds and 24-hour residential care services for older adults. This component of the housing continuum allows a cost-efficient alternative to using more costly emergency services (e.g., Psychiatric Emergency Services).
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of 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.
It is anticipated that 75% of clients will remain at the identified level of care and will not require acute hospitalization or locked placement.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
|
Percentage of clients that remain at the identified level of care and do not require acute hospitalization or locked placement |
75% 10 clients |
75% 10 clients |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This agreement will positively impact a critically underserved community of older adult behavioral health who have severe mental illness and need a residential placement. Residential providers such as Front Street are a vital resource for housing such individuals. This agreement 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 July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,727,510 for the three-year term. Funds in the amount of $556,151 will be included in the BHRS FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. Of that amount, it is anticipated that 100%, or $556,151, will be funded by 1991 Realignment funds. There is no Net County Cost. Similar arrangements will be made for future years.