DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Interlocal Agreement with Center for Health Care Services
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) requests authorization of actions related to the implementation of the 4th and final year of the 2017-2018 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Bexar CARES grant award. Bexar CARES provides a mental health continuum of care for Bexar County children with serious emotional disturbance and their families. DHS is requesting:
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 $899,965.00 to be provided by CHCS for the period of September 30, 2017 through September 29, 2018; and
b) approval for the Director of DHS to negotiate and to 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 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 to expand the existing system of pediatric mental health care to improve behavioral health and education outcomes for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances.
On April 16, 2015, DHS was awarded $998,061.00 for the first two years of a four-year grant project which was approved by City Council pursuant to ordinance No. 2015-04-16-0312 to implement the grant. City Council subsequently approved the submission of funding applications and the authorization to negotiate and execute service provider contracts with CHCS for year three in 2016.
CHCS, as subcontractor for the Bexar CARES program, serves as a direct service provider and referral agent for school-aged children. The City of San Antonio, as program grantee, is responsible for Bexar CARES program and data collection, reporting, and monitoring for continuous quality improvement. The grant also has an advisory council, the Bexar Cares Governance Council, comprised of community agencies, family members and interested individuals. As of now, this is only a four-year-grant. Once the grant ends, CHCS will continue providing services with its partners, but COSA will no longer participate in the program.
ISSUE:
Bexar CARES is focused exclusively on serving children three to eight years old and their families in Bexar County. Services provided facilitate and foster the healthy development and wellness of young children. As of June 30, 2017, the program has provided services to 655 unduplicated children and their primary caregivers in clinics, homes and school settings. Among the 655 children served, 86% live in of low-income families, 82% were from minority populations and 7.5% of children were from military families. Sixty-five percent of students that received mental health services through this program have experienced improvements in their academic performance in school (e.g., grades, attendance, and discipline). Upon approval of this Interlocal Agreement, 250 additional children that have not received services before will be provided mental health support through this grant in the 4th program year.
Through this action, DHS is requesting authorization to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with CHCS for Year 4 of the four-year grant period in the amount of $899,965.00, with an in-kind match by CHCS of $899,965.00, for the period of September 30, 2017 through September 29, 2018.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City of San Antonio has designated DHS as the SAMHSA grant recipient. Should City Council not approve the Interlocal Agreement, the SAMHSA would need to identify a new public provider and services provided by 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 $899,965.00 to be provided by CHCS, for the period of September 30, 2017 through September 29, 2018, which will be funded utilizing the 2017-2018 SAMHSA Bexar CARES Program Grant funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the Interlocal Agreement related to the 2017-2018 SAMHSA Bexar CARES Program.