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 Baker Places, Inc., for Adult Crisis Residential Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Baker Places, Inc., for adult crisis residential services, for the term of August 25, 2026 through June 30, 2029, in an amount not to exceed $8,316,934.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides a continuum of services for children, youth, families, adults and older adults for the prevention, early intervention and treatment of serious mental illness and/or substance use conditions. BHRS is committed to supporting treatment of the whole person to achieve wellness and recovery, and promoting the physical and behavioral health of individuals, families, and communities we serve.
Since the closing of Redwood House Crisis Residential in November 2024, there has been a gap in BHRS services within San Mateo County as it pertains to “step down” placement options for those stepping down from our San Mateo Medical Center Psychiatric Emergency Room, San Mateo Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Mills Peninsula Psychiatric Emergency Department, Mills Health Center Psychiatric Inpatient Unit, other Bay Area hospitals, Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers (MHRCs), and jails for clients requiring further stabilization as they re-enter the community. Currently, San Mateo County has only 13 crisis respite beds through Serenity House, which is unable to accommodate those clients stepping down from locked inpatient settings. Because of this situation, San Mateo County needs a Crisis Residential program that is designed and staffed to treat individuals with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring diagnoses as they step down from more acute levels of care and/or are in need of further stabilization in the community.
DISCUSSION:
In December 2025, BHRS conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for qualified entities to provide Adult Crisis Residential Services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for up to 16 adult clients with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring diagnoses who are 18 years and over, and who are voluntarily admitted to the program. The facility would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days per week, with qualified staff as required by applicable standards and regulations and as agreed upon by the County.
Baker Places, Inc. (BP) submitted a proposal, and it was recommended to engage their services based on their overall experience, approach to, and understanding of the scope of services. BP shall provide a variety of support and stabilization services within a clean and sober environment at a centrally located site to be purchased or leased in the County. BP is currently in the process of identifying a site.
BP is the residential services arm of PRC (formerly Positive Resource Center) and a nonprofit behavioral health provider with more than six decades of experience delivering licensed residential and crisis-adjacent services for adults with complex mental health and substance use needs. BP would bring demonstrated operational capacity, regulatory compliance, and fiscal oversight to support the successful delivery of Adult Crisis Residential Services in San Mateo County. Also, BP has shown they are committed to providing an environment for our clients that prioritizes inclusion and belonging in order to provide an environment for clients of all backgrounds and cultures. The RFP process was completed in late June 2026.
The cornerstone of BP's approach is social rehabilitation, supporting clients in developing social, vocational, and other "living" skills that promote independence and improve well-being. It delivers trauma-informed, culturally sensitive services through a peer model that meets clients where they are, building wellness and resilience.
BP is tailored for individuals who are HIV-positive, unhoused, identify as LGBTQ+, or belong to other underserved groups. Currently, BP has nine residential behavioral health programs and 21 co-op supportive housing sites, reaching homeless, no-income, and low-income individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
BHRS recommends proceeding with executing a contract with BP to provide Adult Crisis Residential Services. Adult crisis residential treatment (CRT) services are designed for clients with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring diagnoses who are 18 years and over, and who are voluntarily admitted to the program.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
BHRS provides a continuum of services for children, youth, families, adults and older adults for the prevention, early intervention and treatment of serious mental illness and/or substance use conditions. It is anticipated that 90% of adult CRT clients will be referred/linked/reestablished to services in the community following discharge.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2026-27 Estimated |
FY 2027-28 Projected |
|
Percentage of adult CRT clients referred/linked/reestablished to services in the community following discharge |
90% 275 of 305 participants |
95% 289 of 305 participants |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This agreement will positively impact a critically underserved community of individuals with severe mental illness and/or severe substance use disorder who will benefit from step down crisis residential services within the community in which they reside. Providers such as BP are an essential resource within San Mateo County as they have expertise in providing residential mental health treatment as well substance use and co-occurring treatment. BP is committed to serving this population and supporting clients with achieving their recovery goals. Additionally, this service will allow clients to have a place to stabilize and safely reside other than higher cost services such as MHRCs, Psychiatric Emergency Services, etc.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is August 25, 2026 through June 30, 2029. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $8,316,934 for the three-year term. Funds in the amount of $1,423,042 are included in the BHRS FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. Of this amount, the Medi-Cal Patient Care Revenue will fund $277,333, and Net County Cost will fund $1,145,709. Similar arrangements will be made for subsequent years.
ATTACHMENT:
RFP Matrix