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 Ernst & Young, LLP for Program Improvement for Valued Outpatient Treatment Mental Health Services Act Innovation Project
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Ernst & Young, LLP to provide and complete the Program Improvement for Valued Outpatient Treatment project for the term of September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $2,200,000, and authorizing and directing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute the agreement on behalf of the County.
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BACKGROUND:
In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, known as the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which has provided dedicated state funds to expand and transform behavioral health services. This included funding for prevention and early intervention and innovation projects, in addition to community services and supports, workforce education and training, and capital facilities and technological needs.
In March 2024, California voters passed Proposition 1, Governor Newsom's effort to reimagine public mental health and substance use service delivery in California. Prop 1 reforms MHSA, changing the name to Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and restructuring how MHSA allocates its funding. BSHA prioritizes treatment for the most vulnerable individuals living with serious mental illness and substance use disorders, housing interventions, and better integration of substance use and mental health treatment. Additionally, BHSA requires that counties and contracted service providers make a good faith effort to seek reimbursement from Medi-Cal and other funding sources for all eligible treatment services.
In August 2024, BHRS released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support t...
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