DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorization of an Interlocal Agreement with Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC)
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes approval of an interlocal agreement with the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) for the purpose of providing three clinicians to assist with mental health crisis stabilization and SAPD threat assessment cases. The contract will begin upon approval from City Council for the remainder of a contract year and renewable up to three years, equating to a 4 year contract period. The funding amount for FY 2020 equates to $209,831.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio Department of Human Services (DHS) and the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) Mental Health Detail are jointly seeking clinicians to assist with homeless outreach efforts, intensive case management and coordination of mental health and substance use services for individuals in crisis, high utilizers of emergency social systems, and threat assessment cases (as deemed appropriate). If approved, the contracted staff will be part of a team consisting of SAPD Mental Health Detail Officers, DHS Homeless Division and the STRAC Program for Intensive Care Coordination (PICC).
The contracted staff will help facilitate an immediate and long-term care plan to address the consumer’s serious mental illness, and substance use concerns. Upon stabilization, the team will develop a plan to address housing, healthcare and economic concerns for long-term stability, with the goal of reducing the number of calls for police service, police contacts and emergency room/hospital visits amongst this population. The clinicians will also assist with providing clinical care coordination for threat assessment cases referred by SAPD.
Currently, the Department of Human Services has a professional services contract with VHS San Antonio Partners, LLC dba Baptist Health System which became operational on April 18, 2019. The funded amount to support the Baptist Health System contract is $180,000 annually. Although the outcomes performed under the Baptist Health System contract have exceeded expectations, the transition to STRAC will provide the clinicians with additional support and resources to carry out their duties.
The additional resources gained through the partnership with STRAC include the following:
• Access to a Psychiatrist to assist with client medication management.
• Designated mental health appointment slots for their clients through the Bexar County Mental Health Authority, The Center for Healthcare Services (CHCS).
• Access to the CHCS Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to assist with getting updates on client treatment plans and progress to better coordinate care.
• Access to Kaizala Software which provides notifications via text messages that their clients are being transported due to an Emergency Detainment (ED).
• A point of contact to provide information on the total number of ED’s for their clients.
• Salary increase for clinical staff
On October 3, 2019 the Department of Human Services issued a letter to VHS San Antonio Partners, LLC dba Baptist Health System notifying them that the contract would not be renewed for the full upcoming fiscal year. Since the City is exploring transitional options to prevent service interruption for the clients served under this contract, the City proposed a month to month extension beginning November 1, 2019. At this time Baptist Health System continues to provide services until the services are transitioned to STRAC, if approved by City Council.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes approval of an interlocal agreement with Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) for the purpose of providing Mental Health Clinicians for an amount up to $209,831 in FY 2020 upon City Council approval and up to $927,299 within four years funded from the City’s General Fund Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this Agreement is not approved, the Department of Human Services would continue to contract services with VHS San Antonio Partners, LLC dba Baptist Health System if they are in agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the approval of a contract with the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC). The contract will begin upon approval from City Council through September 30, 2020 for an initial term amount not to exceed $209,831, with three, one-year renewal options for a total contract amount not to exceed $927,299. Funding in the amount of $180,000 is available from the FY 2020 General Fund Adopted Budget, and the remaining $29,831 will be available from FY 2019 General Fund balances from the contract with Baptist Health Systems. Funding for the three, one-year renewal options at a rate of $239,156 per year will be subject to future city council appropriation as part of the budget process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing an Agreement with the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) for the purpose of providing three Mental Health Clinicians and a package of resources for clinical care coordination for an amount up to $209,831 in year one of the contract and up to $927,299 over a four year period.
This contract will be procured by means of an Interlocal Agreement.