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
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with TALK: Teaching and Assessing Language for Kids for Alternative Therapy Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with TALK: Teaching and Assessing Language for Kids for alternative therapy services for the term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $362,650.
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BACKGROUND:
TALK: Teaching and Assessing Language for Kids (TALK) provides intensive, individualized speech and language assessment, treatment and consultation services to children 12 months to 21 years old. Services are unique to the specific need, and developmental level of each child, support the healthy development of speech and language and address a range of sensorimotor and self-regulation issues with which these children often struggle. Functional, measurable goals developed for each client target improvement of communication and self-regulation, resulting in a reduction of emotional outbursts, anxiety, and depression. These critical services are not typically covered by insurance and are not affordable to Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) clients.
DISCUSSION:
TALK will provide intensive and individualized alternative therapy services up to four times per week to children with speech, voice, social, and developmental disorders. Through the Neurosequential Model Therapy Program, BHRS is more readily able to identify children with speech and language sensory deficits, thus making it easier for staff to make the necessary referrals for this intervention. These services are not: 1) provided by schools through an Individualized Education Plan; 2) covered by insurance, or 3) affordable to most families.
Under the B-1 Administrative Memorandum, agreements that provide “sole source” services are exempt from the Request for Proposals process. TALK has developed a unique and specialized model for this type and intensity of service, which no other organization currently provides.
TALK is a small business that pays their employees higher than average salaries due to the unique services provided. The County’s Jury Duty requirement would force last-minute cancellations making them unable to bill for services but still paying the employee salary. The contractor is requesting to waive the Jury Duty requirement as it is a financial hardship.
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 the County Attorney as to form. This agreement is late due to prolonged contract negotiations. The agreement is on the Continuing Resolution.
The goals of the Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) are reviewed and updated bi-monthly based on the progress of the child and continued developmental needs identified by the contractor. It is anticipated that 95% of the clients will show improvement in at least three goals identified in their ITP.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Estimated |
FY 2023-24 Projected |
|
Percentage of clients that show improvement in at least three goals identified in their ITP |
95% 9-10 clients |
95% 9-10 clients |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $362,650 for the two-year-term. For FY 2022-23, the amount not to exceed is $181,325 and has been included in the BHRS FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget. Of this amount, Measure K will fund 72% of the agreement or $131,325, and Mental Health Services Act will fund the remaining 28% or $50,000. A similar arrangement will be in place for FY 2023-24.