Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with Our Common Ground, Inc. for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Our Common Ground, Inc. for substance use disorder treatment services, for the term July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $7,164,235.
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BACKGROUND:
Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has contracted with Our Common Ground, Inc. (OCG) for over twenty years to provide substance use disorder (SUD) outpatient and residential treatment services to San Mateo County adults with substance abuse and addiction problems.
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 SUD treatment services. In February 2017, OCG began providing services under the DMC-ODS waiver, which allowed OCG and other providers to bill for many more services than they were previously able to.
In December of 2023, BHRS released a Request for Proposals for the provision of SUD outpatient treatment services. OCG responded and was selected to provide these services.
DISCUSSION:
Through the DMC-ODS waiver, OCG continues to provide outpatient and residential treatment services to adult County residents. Services include individual therapy, individual counseling, group therapy, anger management, family therapy, and room and board. OCG’s treatment approach is a strength-based Modified Therapeutic Community Model, which values relationships and views the clients in light of their competencies rather than their deficiencies. Success is based upon individual progress in treatment, while concentrating on academic and vocational pursuits.
Through the Mental Health Diversion Grant Program, OCG shall provide residential treatment services to San Mateo County residents who are not eligible for Drug Medi-Cal or other health care insurance but are in need of services. These services include individual therapy, individual counseling, group therapy, anger management, family therapy, and room and board.
Residential treatment programs like Our Common Ground have established expertise in serving clients who have SUD. There continues to be a shortage of facilities in San Mateo County that specialize in residential services for SUD, leading Behavioral Health and Recovery Services to consider contracts with any and all qualified providers. These Housing Services and Related Supports are exempt from the competitive procurement process under the B1 Memo.
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 County Attorney as to form.
Successful treatment discharge occurs when a program participant completes his/her treatment/recovery plan or when a participant is transferred to the next appropriate level of care. It is anticipated that 70% of program participants will achieve a successful treatment discharge.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2023-24 Actual |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
|
Percentage of program participants who achieve a successful treatment discharge |
70% 145 out of 207 participants |
70% 145 out of 207 participants |
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This contract will positively impact the behavioral health of low-income residents in need of SUD 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. These SUD providers are essential to assure equitable access to quality care to underserved and vulnerable people in San Mateo County. Most of clients have co-occurring mental health needs and other complex needs including homelessness, justice system involvement, and other physical health conditions.
These SUD providers will be reaching out to clients that have been historically underserved especially the LatinX and Asian Pacific Islander (API) Community with low penetration rates (San Mateo DMC-ODS Medi-Cal Eligible Population, Members Served, and Penetration Rates by Racial/Ethnic Group, CY 2022 LatinX 0.36%, API 0.18%).
To advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health disparities, the County requires providers to comply with National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards. Each provider 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 July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $7,164,235 for the one-year term and is included in the BHRS Recommended FY 2024-25 Budget. Of this amount, the Mental Health Services Act will fund $18,781, Federal Financial Participation for Drug Med-Cal will fund $3,224,554, Substance Abuse and Prevention Treatment Block Grant will fund $537,626, 2011 Realignment will fund $1,200,625, Diversion Grant Program will fund $191,131, and Assembly Bill 109 will fund $643,618. The Net County Cost is $1,347,901.
Attachments:
RFP Matrix