Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Scott Gilman, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Carlos Morales, Director, Correctional Health Services
Subject: Agreement with Liberty Healthcare Corporation to Provide Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Services at the Maguire Correctional Facility
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Liberty Healthcare Corporation to provide acute inpatient psychiatric services at the Maguire Correctional Facility extending the term from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023, and increasing the amount by $6,335,649 to an amount not to exceed $15,204,498.
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BACKGROUND:
In Fall 2017, Correctional Health Services (CHS) conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) and Liberty Healthcare Corporation (Liberty) was selected as best qualified to operate a 10-bed acute psychiatric unit in the Maguire Correctional Facility. In July 2018, San Mateo County Health entered into an agreement with Liberty for a three-year term from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021, allowing inmates who need involuntary psychiatric care to be evaluated and treated onsite. Inmates who require involuntary psychiatric treatment are given bed priority. Additional beds are filled with inmates transitioning to a sub-acute level of psychiatric care, such as inmates who no longer meet the criteria for involuntary treatment but are still too unstable for housing in general population. Once an inmate stabilizes to a point where a less intensive setting is appropriate, they are discharged to a less intense level of care, such as the Behavioral Health Pod Unit designated for acute and severe psychiatric illness.
DISCUSSION:
Liberty has direct experience implementing and operating multiple California county jail-based and State hospital psychiatric forensic units and mental health services. They also have ample experience in providing acute inpatient psychiatric services for adult detainees on both voluntary and involuntary treatment statuses, including the management of acute psychiatric units designed under the Lanterman-Petris (LPS) Act.
Liberty will be responsible for dispensing and administering medications, and conducting all legal proceedings required by the State for an LPS unit. For inmates who have concurrent medical problems, Liberty staff will continue to work closely with CHS to ensure prompt consultation and referral between medical and mental health providers to facilitate the coordination of mental health care for individuals with complicating medical issues. Liberty has demonstrated successful operations, meeting performance measures and focusing on psychiatric stabilization with a targeted emphasis on treatment efforts that enable the safe and appropriate discharge of inmates as soon as clinically indicated.
The County’s Contract Compliance Committee has approved a three-year waiver request to extend this contract for a five-year term from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023. This will allow CHS adequate time to prepare and release an RFP in Fall 2022.
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
It is anticipated that the number of inmates who receive treatment in the LPS unit and be discharged within 21 days will be six inmates.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2021-22 Estimated |
FY 2022-23 Projected |
|
Number of inmates who receive treatment in the LPS unit and be discharged within 21 days |
6 inmates |
7 inmates |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the extension is July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023, for a total amount of $6,335,649, which includes a three percent annual increase at a cost of $184,533. The term of the amended agreement is July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023, and with the addition of the $6,335,649 extension, the maximum amount for the agreement increases from $8,868,849 to $15,204,498 for the five-year term. Health Realignment funds for the amendment have been included in the FY 2021-23 Recommended Budget. This amendment is 100% funded by Net County Cost.