Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, Health System
Subject: Agreement with American Institutes for Research for Evaluation and Research Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with American Institutes for Research for evaluation and research services for the term July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020, in the amount of $380,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Federal and State programs require Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) to submit evaluations and reports on program outcomes. These requirements have increased as a result of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which requires evaluation design, analysis, and reporting on new initiatives to improve access to underserved populations. Measure K funding has also increased reporting requirements.
In September 2015, BHRS issued a Request for Proposals to select a provider of research and evaluation services. American Institutes for Research (AIR) submitted a proposal and was selected to provide a portion of these services, along with another proposer, Prins Williams Analytics, LLC.
DISCUSSION:
BHRS shall continue contracting with AIR to provide research, analysis, and evaluation services. These services include contract performance data analysis, MHSA reporting and evaluation, and progress monitoring for initiatives (e.g., Diversity and Equity, Prevention and Early Intervention, Welcoming and Engagement, Empowering Clients and Families, Foster Total Wellness, and System of Care Enhancements) that require integrating data from separate mental health and drug/alcohol information systems. The data provided by AIR will be used to assist BHRS managers in maintaining oversight of contracted provider services and ensuring quality services for BHRS clients.
The anticipated duration of the agreement was for 3 years with an option to renew for an additional 2 years. BHRS is now granting AIR the additional 2 years so that they can complete the substantial and state mandated work on MHSA service evaluation, Medical Assisted Therapy evaluation, and Laura’s Law evaluation and reporting.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form. This agreement is on the Continuing Resolution. The agreement is late due to protracted negotiations with the vendor.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing research and evaluation services to evaluate the quality, utilization and need of mental health and co-occurring services for BHRS clients. Research and evaluation is a function needed to ensure the quality of BHRS’ services and identify gaps in either services or the populations served. It is anticipated that 100% of the MHSA reporting/evaluation requirements and the evaluation of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment success will be completed by the contractor for selected populations (e.g. AB109).
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2018-19 Projected |
|
Percentage of MHSA reporting/evaluation requirements, and evaluation of AOD treatment success completed by the contractor for selected populations (e.g. AB109) |
90% |
100% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $380,000 for the two-year term. Of that amount, $190,000 is included in the BHRS FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget. It is anticipated that Federal Financial Participation for Medi-Cal will fund $70,720, 1991 Realignment will fund $72,663, and MHSA will fund $26,617. The Net County Cost is $20,000. Similar funding arrangements will be in place for FY 2019-20. The payment provisions and levels of service remain essentially the same as those of the prior agreement.