DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Interlocal Agreement with Center for Health Care Services
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) requests authorization of the following actions related to the 2016-2017 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Bexar CARES grant award. The Bexar CARES Program is a continuum of care for Bexar County children with serious emotional disturbance and their families:
a) authorization of an interlocal agreement in the amount of $899,965.00, with the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) to include an in-kind match of $299,988.00 to be provided by CHCS, for the period of September 30, 2016 through September 29, 2017; and
b) approval for the Director of DHS to negotiate and execute contract amendments based on increased funding or program improvements.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In March 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a grant opportunity related to Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances. On March 21, 2014, DHS, in collaboration with CHCS, submitted a grant application seeking to expand the existing system of care, Bexar CARES, to further improve behavioral health outcomes for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances.
On April 16, 2015, ordinance 2015-4-16-0312 authorized the Bexar Cares grant for Year 1 and Year 2 of a four-year grant project. On February 11, 2016, ordinance 2016-02-11-0081 authorized submission of a refunding application for Year 3 of the grant to SAMHSA to include acceptance upon award of $995,828.00 for the budget period of September 30, 2016 to September 29, 2017.
DHS was notified of a grant award of $995,828.00 on July 28, 2016. Of the total grant award, $899,965.00 will be directed to the CHCS through an interlocal agreement for the Bexar CARES Project and $95,863.00 to fund one staff position in the City’s Human Services Department. CHCS serves as a direct service provider and referral agent for school-aged children, directing them to various community collaborators to provide holistic support services.
The City of San Antonio, as program grantee, is responsible for implementation of the Bexar CARES program and data collection, reporting, and monitoring for continuous quality improvement.
ISSUE:
Bexar CARES is focused exclusively on serving young children (three to eight years old) and their families to facilitate and foster the healthy development and wellness of young children, preparing the children to thrive in school and beyond. From September 30, 2015 to July 30, 2016, the program has provided services to 246 children, ages 3-8, and their primary caregivers in clinic, home and school settings. Among the 246 children served, 81% were from minority populations, 12% of children were from military families, and 90% were children of low income families. Up to 250 children will benefit from the services provided through this grant each program year for Years 3 and 4.
Through this action, DHS is requesting authorization to enter into an interlocal agreement with CHCS as sub recipient of the grant for Year 3 of the four-year grant period in the amount of $899,965.00, with an in-kind match requirement of $299,988.00, for the period of September 30, 2016 through September 29, 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
The SAMHSA grant is statutorily limited to public entities as grantees. Therefore, the City is the grant eligible entity for the SAMHSA grant. Should City Council not approve the interlocal agreement, the SAMHSA would need to identify a new public provider and the opportunity to expand the local mental health continuum of care may be delayed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes an interlocal agreement with CHCS in an amount of $899,965.00, with an in-kind match requirement of $299,988.00 to be provided by CHCS, for the period of September 30, 2016 through September 29, 2017 which will be funded utilizing the 2016-2017 SAMHSA Bexar CARES Program Grant fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the interlocal agreement related to the 2016-2017 SAMHSA Bexar CARES Program.