Authorize the Chair to execute a renewal agreement with CommuniCare Health Centers to provide Navigation Center Services in compliance with the new California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 for the period of July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. (No general fund impact) (Sullivan)

On or about April 20, 2017, the County issued a formal request for proposal (details in the Competitive Selection Process section, below) to solicit a provider for Navigation Center services. Navigation Center program provides access and linkage services, namely triage, assessments and case management to individuals seeking mental health care in Yolo County. The services provided by the Navigation Center augment the services provided by Yolo County Health & Human Services (HHSA) Mental Health clinics, effectively expanding specialty mental health care through increasing engagement and effective navigation of individuals in need of mental health services. In addition, the Navigation Center program assists with the reduction and prevention of homelessness, involvement in the criminal justice system, psychiatric hospital admissions, and length of stays through encouraging individuals to link with care appropriate to their needs.

The resulting agreement was awarded to CommuniCare Health Centers and on April 24, 2018, the County and CommuniCare Health Centers entered into Agreement No. 18-72, which provided an initial term of May 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020, with two optional extensions for FY’s 2020-21 ($844,411), and 2021-22 ($844,411). The Board approved an amendment to Agreement No. 18-72 to extend the term of the Agreement under the same terms and conditions for FY 2022-23 and added an additional $844,411 for that fiscal year.

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Initiative
In January 2022, California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) rolled out the CalAIM initiative that aims to provide broad delivery system program and payment reform across the Medi-Cal system. The goal is transformation of the Medi-Cal delivery system, moving it towards a population health approach that prioritizes prevention and whole person care. Focus shifts from compliance to quality and performance metrics. Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) requirements and policies pursuant to the CalAIM initiative were updated, and as a result of these updates, the County is required to revise the terms and conditions in the provider agreements for these services.  In preparation for this system-wide change, the County has been working closely with CalMHSA who has been providing the County and other SMHS Medi-Cal counties with technical assistance around the CalAIM initiative. The County has received new boilerplate templates from CalMHSA for both DMC/SUD treatment services and SMHS Medi-Cal services that include updated programmatic regulatory requirements and updated billing/claiming requirements. County is working on finalizing a new Yolo County SMHS Medi-Cal boilerplate that is in compliance with these changes, a draft of which is attached hereto as Att. A. Draft Yolo County SMHS boilerplate.
 
The renewal agreement requested in this staff report will be drafted and executed on the finalized Yolo County SMHS boilerplate. County Counsel and the Procurement Division are participating in the review and finalization of the Yolo County SMHS boilerplate. However, due to the timeliness in which the County has been receiving information from DHCS, especially regarding rates, final boilerplate language is still pending.  Approval of this request herein will enable HHSA to expedite processing and approval of the renewal agreement to minimize any lapse in services, once HHSA has all of the information from DHCS and has negotiated final rates with our providers.

Due to the significant regulatory and claiming changes driven by the CalAIM initiative, the current agreement cannot be extended on the same terms and conditions and must be replaced by a renewal agreement. HHSA now requests this Board’s approval of a 6-month extension of the agreement with CommuniCare Health Centers for the provision of navigation services in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 for the period of July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, and delegate signing authority to the Yolo County Board Chair to assist with expediting execution of the renewal agreement. This renewal agreement will also include one 6-month optional extension through June 30, 2024, in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 for the period of January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024.

Performance Measures
Performance measures were included in Agreement No. 18-72 See Att. B. Performance Measures. These performance measures or similar performance measures will also be included in the renewal agreement.

County Counsel - review and approval of the Yolo County SMHS boilerplate
County Counsel - review and approval of the resulting renewal agreements as to form
Department of General Services, Procurement Division
CalMHSA - technical assistance with CalAIM Initiative

On April 20, 2017, the County issued a Request for Proposals (April 2017 RFP) from qualified community-based organizations to provide Navigation Center services.  HHSA received one proposal from this solicitation. However, the then sitting Board of Supervisors recommended HHSA review the April 2017 RFP process. After review, it was determined the solicitation should be re-issued in an effort to ensure it was fair, ethical and competitive, while also maintaining high quality services to Yolo County residents.

On July 24, 2017, HHSA re-issued an RFP for Navigation Center services  (July 2017 RFP). The July 2017 RFP included a revised scope of work; a mandatory Bidder’s Conference; a cover letter with a summary of services, requirements, and timelines; and an option to either submit a proposal through the BidSync process or by hand delivery of a proposal to HHSA. A notice was also sent out to approximately 60 potential bidders who had previously viewed the April 2017 RFP.

HHSA received one proposal from this second solicitation.  A Proposal Review Committee was formed that included two HHSA staff and one member from an outside entity. The proposal submitted by CommuniCare Health Centers was evaluated and determined to meet all the required qualifications necessary to successfully provide these services

Additional information regarding the Competitive Bid Process is provided below, including a summary of the RFP evaluation criteria.

Evaluation Criteria Included in RFP

HHSA confirms CommuniCare Health Centers has performed satisfactorily under Agreement No. 18-72. Thus, pursuant to the authority provided to the County Procurement Manager as the County Purchasing Agent under the current Yolo County Procurement Policy, the Procurement Manager has determined that it is in the best interest of the County to enter into a renewal agreement, based on satisfactory service and to avoid the interruption of County business.  A formal solicitation for these services is planned to be released in FY 2023-24 and a resulting agreement will be issued for FY2024-25.