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 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 of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $596,650.
body
BACKGROUND:
Federal and state programs require Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) to submit evaluations and reports on program outcomes. These requirements have increased because 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 (RFP) 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.
Since 2015, AIR has provided evaluation and reporting services to MHSA Full Service Partnerships, MHSA Outreach Collaboratives, and BHRS-staffed MHSA-funded programs (including the Older Adult System of Integrated Services, Pathways Court Mental Health, Child Welfare Partners and Pre-to-Three, School-Based Mental Health, etc.), the Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA) grant in collaboration with the San Mateo County Office of Education, and other BHRS reporting and evaluation needs for alcohol and other drug and Laura’s Law services. The data provided by AIR is used to assist BHRS managers in maintaining oversight of contracted provider performance, meeting state legislative reporting and continuous improvement requirements, and ensuring quality services for BHRS clients.
DISCUSSION:
AIR continues to provide needed reporting services for many BHRS programs and will support the evaluation and reporting needs for the new MHSA Innovation pilot project. The agreement with AIR will also support the evaluation and reporting needs of the new MHSA Innovation pilot project, Adult Residential In-home Support Element, and for Opioid Settlement funds analysis.
The County Executive’s Office (CEO) recently released an RFP for Program Evaluation services. BHRS may utilize the CEO’s selection or release its own RFP in Spring 2024. Given this timeframe, BHRS requests this Board to waive the RFP process so that BHRS can continue contracting with AIR to provide reporting and evaluation services for one year until a service provider selected through the RFP process can be identified.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
This agreement has been delayed due to prolonged contract negotiations with the provider.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
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 AIR for selected populations.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Actual |
FY 2023-24 Projected |
|
Percentage of MHSA reporting/evaluation requirements and the evaluation of AOD treatment success that are completed by AIR for selected populations |
100% 7/7 deliverables |
100% 4/4 deliverables |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $596,650 for the one-year term. Funds in the amount of $596,650 are included in the BHRS FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget. It is anticipated that the MHSSA grant will fund $124,801, Federal Financial Participation for Medi-Cal will fund $103,163, MHSA Innovation will fund $31,949 and MHSA program funding will fund $336,737. There is no Net County Cost.