DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jennifer Herriott, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing an agreement with the University Health System related to Metro Health’s Adverse Childhood Experiences Program for a term commencing December 1, 2019 and terminating on September 30, 2020, with options to renew for four, one-year terms.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes an agreement with the Bexar County Hospital District d/b/a University Health System (UHS) to establish the Institute for Trauma Informed Care in an amount up to $606,972.00 for a term commencing December 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020, and further provides four, one-year renewal options. Compensation to UHS will be reduced in years two through five for a total amount not to exceed $1,994,446.00 over the entire five-year term with future years’ funding subject to appropriation as part of the annual budget process.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events (including: abuse, neglect, exposure to mental illness and substance abuse, and witnessing violence at home or in the community) that disrupt a child’s healthy development and alter the way their brains and bodies respond to stress. A trauma informed approach, often referred to as trauma informed care (TIC), recognizes that trauma exists and has a negative impact on children, youth, and adults. Certification in TIC requires an organization minimize perceived threats, avoid re-traumatization, and support recovery. An entity does not currently exist in Texas, which is able to provide technical assistance and training to prepare for TIC certification.
On September 12, 2019, with the adoption of the FY 2020 Budget the City Council approved funding $606,972.00 or 50% of the total cost needed to establish and operate an Institute of Trauma Informed Care (Institute). The Institute will provide training and technical assistance to organizations and systems, seeking to complete requirements necessary for certification as a TIC organization. The Institute will tailor the development of services and activities to align with the culture and demographics of San Antonio.
Colleen Bridger (Assistant City Manager for the City of San Antonio), Kathy Fletcher (Voices for Children President and CEO), and Yvette Sanchez, (The Children’s Shelter COO) chair the South Texas Trauma Informed Care Consortium (Consortium). The Consortium aims to mitigate the effects of ACEs by partnering with TIC interested workgroups to create a Certified Trauma-Informed Care of Bexar County. These identified workgroups work regularly to impact the lives of children, and include: 1) Education/Pre K-12th; 2) Early Care and Education; 3) Child Welfare/Foster Care; 4) Mental/Behavioral Health; 5) Medical/Hospital/Clinic; 6) Court Systems; 7) Local Government; 8) Philanthropy; 9) Youth Development/Afterschool; 10) Faith Based Organizations/Congregations; 11) Family Support Services; and, 12) Higher Education.
ISSUE:
Metro Health is requesting approval of the agreement with UHS to establish the Institute. Authorization of the proposed agreement will allow Metro Health to provide funding to UHS for the establishment of the Institute in San Antonio. Creating the Institute will benefit both residents of Bexar County and San Antonio, by ensuring the community becomes trauma-informed as a whole. Residents will benefit from a shared language and understanding on how to meet the needs of their community members. TIC increases safety, improves social environment and relationships, cares for the caregivers, improves service quality, reduces negative encounters and events, creates a community of hope, wellness, and recovery and increases success and satisfaction at work.
ALTERNATIVES:
Failure to authorize execution of an agreement between Metro Health and UHS will prohibit the Institute’s establishment. Various sectors seeking certification in TIC will continue to lack access to a local support system, which would otherwise provide essential assistance in the TIC certification process, thus San Antonio and Bexar County children will continue to be at increased risk for re-traumatization from systems that could otherwise support them.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes an agreement with UHS related to the Metro Health ACEs program for an amount up to $606,972.00, commencing December 1, 2019, and terminating on September 30, 2020, with options to renew for four, one-year terms. Total compensation to Bexar County Hospital District d/b/a University Health System (UHS) through this agreement is for a total amount not to exceed $1,994,446.00 over the entire five-year term. Subsequent funding will be contingent upon City Council appropriations in future fiscal years.
|
Year |
Compensation to UHS |
|
Year 1 |
$606,972.00 |
|
Year 2 |
$544,087.00 |
|
Year 3 |
$416,121.00 |
|
Year 4 |
$282,945.00 |
|
Year 5 |
$144,321.00 |
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the agreement with UHS for an amount up to $606,972.00 for the initial term ending September 30, 2020, with options to renew for four, one-year terms, and with reduction in compensation to UHS in years two through five. Authorization of this agreement will allow Metro Health to move forward with the implementation of goals set forth in the Department’s Strategic Plan and the South Texas Trauma Informed Care Consortium.