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 Felton Institute for Law Enforcement Co-responding Behavioral Health Crisis Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Felton Institute for law enforcement co-responding behavioral health crisis services, for the term of October 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $932,305.
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BACKGROUND:
On January 12, 2020, this Board approved the resolution to enter into the Pilot Program of Community Wellness Crisis Response Team (CWCRT), a partnership among four City Police Departments (Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, and Redwood City) and the County, to embed one mental health clinician in each of those cities’ police departments to provide a co-response to crisis calls involving mental health issues. The County expanded its contract with StarVista and its crisis intervention services to include provision of mental health clinicians for the CWCRTs. Under the Pilot Program, clinicians assisted in the first response by providing early intervention, crisis de-escalation, 5150 evaluations, involuntary holds, referrals to therapeutic hospitalizations, and guidance to support services for individuals in mental health crisis.
On May 26, 2023, the County of San Mateo was awarded by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) of the Governor’s Office the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to expand its CWCRT Program to East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Bruno to improve public safety and mental health by creating cross-sector collaboration and coordination between law enforcement, BHRS, and mental health providers.
In February 2024, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) contracted with StarVista to operate the CWCRT JAG Program expansion after this Board waived the County’s Request for Proposal process. Recently, StarVista unexpectedly ceased all operations, terminating this CWCRT JAG agreement with BHRS as a result.
DISCUSSION:
In light of the sudden and unexpected contract termination by StarVista, BHRS would like to contract with Felton Institute to operate the CWCRT JAG Program. In addition to continuing these vital services to its clients, the County benefits from the implementation of this agreement by increasing its ability to directly respond to community members in mental health crisis; providing Medi-Cal reimbursable services to County clients; improving response time for those in need of mental health services and resources; and creating a broader and more effective continuum of care that results in a decrease in justice system contacts.
The services provided by Felton Institute through this agreement will enable the County to continue its commitment and obligation to provide the CWCRT program under the awarded JAG Grant. Felton has provided law enforcement co-responding services similar to the CWCRT model in other California counties and has generalized knowledge and experience to provide the CWCRT model in the County for the remainder of the JAG term, through June 30, 2026. Additionally, BSCC has provided support for Felton Institute to replace StarVista as the subcontractor on the JAG Program grant pending the execution of this agreement. Immediate replacement of a subcontractor is necessary to continue the receipt of the JAG award, and such an award may not be deferred.
Under the B-1 Administrative Memorandum, these services are considered to be
an emergency with the sudden and unexpected contract termination by the previous
service provider.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
This agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
This agreement is late due to the unexpected closure of StarVista and extended negotiations with the Cities and Felton Institute.
It is anticipated that the CWCRT clinician will respond in person to provide crisis assessment and crisis evaluation for 100% of calls for which a mental health issue is suspected and to which the clinician is dispatched. It is also anticipated that 80% of Medi-Cal clients will be provided with at least one follow-up post-crisis assessment.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Percentage of calls responded to in person by CWCRT clinician to provide crisis assessment and evaluation |
100% |
NA* |
|
Percentage of Medi-Cal clients that are provided with at least one follow-up post-crisis assessment |
80% |
NA* |
*Please note that agreement is for one Fiscal Year only so there is no performance measure for the second Fiscal Year
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The purpose of this agreement is to deliver comprehensive behavioral health services to Medi-Cal eligible or non-insured individuals in San Mateo County, with a focus on reaching Latino/x, African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American groups (San Mateo Mental Health Plan Final Report, Table 7, FY2023-24). The agreement program is designed to meet the unique needs of underserved populations, emphasizing trauma-informed and evidence-based practices to promote long-term well-being.
The contract aligns with the organization's priorities by:
1. Providing timely mental health-focused crisis services, including crisis assessment, de-escalation, and follow-ups by a co-responding team of law enforcement and mental health crisis clinicians.
2. Tailoring crisis services to reflect the needs of individuals and ensuring services are appropriate and accessible.
3. Building trust and relationships while collaborating with local police departments, and communities to build trust, and ensuring that services are delivered in a way that is respectful and accepting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is October 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $932,305 for the one-year term and will be funded 100% by The Edward Byrne Memorial JAG.