Approve first amendment to Agreement No. 23-167 with Rural Innovations in Social Economics, Inc. (RISE) to extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2025, add funding in the amount of $502,490 for a new contract maximum of $1,004,980; and add one optional extension for 2025-26 for the provision of K-12 School Partnership services to the Rural School Catchment Area in compliance with the new California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). (No general fund impact) (Sullivan)

On or about May 26, 2021, Yolo County issued a competitive solicitation (details in the Competitive Bid Process section, below) to solicit a provider for K-12 School Partnership Services for the Rural School Catchment Area. The Yolo County K-12 School Partnership Program works to expand the historically more limited array of services and supports available to students and to integrate mental health services into the school systems by utilizing an integrated systems model and multi-tiered systems of support. The goal of this integrated approach is to blend resources, training, systems, data, and practices to improve outcomes for all children and youth. The program also emphasizes, prevention, early identification, and intervention of the social, emotional, and behavior needs of students, as well as supports outcomes around preventing the development of mental health challenges in children of all ages, improved linkages to mental health services for children and their families, improved mental health wellness, school engagement, and personal, social, and community stability. The primary goal is to ensure that all school-age youth in Yolo County can access mental health services in a safe, comfortable environment that is familiar to them through an improved school-based service delivery system.

In January 2022, California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) rolled out the CalAIM initiative aimed to provide broad delivery system program and payment reform across the Medi-Cal system. The goal was transformation of the Medi-Cal delivery system, moving it towards a population health approach that prioritizes prevention and whole person care. Focus shifted 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 was required to revise the terms and conditions in the provider agreements for these services.  

On or about June 27, 2023, the County and RISE, Inc. entered into a one-year renewal agreement for the provision of K-12 Rural School Partnership services in an amount of $502,490 for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

HHSA requests approval of this first amendment which extends the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2025; adds funding for 2024-25 and adds one optional extension for 2025-26.

Performance Measures
The Performance Measures were included in the underlying Agreement and are not being revised at this time (See Att. B. Performance Measures)

HHSA confirms that RISE Inc.  has performed satisfactorily under this agreement. RISE Inc. has served the Esparto and Winters school districts for many years and since 2021 under the K-12 School Partnership Programs. RISE Inc. has expanded their prior Prevention and Early Intervention services to begin delivering individual therapy services. RISE Inc. submits quarterly RBA data reports to HHSA which confirms their satisfactory performance. Additionally, MHSA demographic reports are submitted quarterly and MHSSA data reports are completed semi-annually. Throughout the K-12 contract term, RISE Inc has partnered closely with the two districts to ensure their individual needs are met.
 

County Counsel has approved this Amendment as to form
General Services Department, Procurement Division

On May 26, 2021, the County issued a competitive solicitation via a request for proposals (RFP) from qualified community-based organizations to provide K-12 School Partnership Services for the Rural Catchment Area. The RFP was open for 44 days, just over 6 weeks, and staff offered potential bidders an opportunity to ask questions during a Mandatory Bidders’ Conference on June 4, 2021. HHSA received 2 proposals for the Rural Catchment Area from this solicitation.

The proposal submitted by RISE, Inc. was selected as one of the top choices by all members of the Review Committee and 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
· Program and Project Approach (55%)
· Administration and Staffing (15%)
· Program/Project Budget and Cost Proposal (5%)
· Reporting Capabilities (5%)
· Compliance Plan Approach (5%)

Bids Received