Approve second amendment to Agreement No. 24-224 with Victor Community Support Services to reduce funding in the amount of $385,423 for 2025-26 for a new contract maximum of $3,517,858.67 for the period of August 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027; and update rates effective 2025-26 for the provision of Community Based Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) outpatient mental health service for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) children and youth. (No general fund impact) (Morales)

Approve second amendment to Agreement No. 24-224 with Victor Community Support Services to reduce funding in the amount of $385,423 for 2025-26 for a new contract maximum of $3,517,858.67 for the period of August 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027; and update rates effective 2025-26 for the provision of Community Based Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) outpatient mental health service for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) children and youth.

Primary Services provide behavioral health services tailored to the specific needs of the child and family who are Medi-Cal beneficiaries aged 0-20. These services are provided in the community and sometimes in the office. Primary Services are the most common initial referrals made for a child or youth, and include therapy, targeted case management, rehabilitation, plan development and medication support. Services can also include Intensive Case Coordination and Intensive Home-Based Services, if medically necessary. Children and youth receiving Primary Services are typically seen approximately once a week, with less frequent appointments as their needs are addressed and progress is achieved. These services are mandated by federal statute and court agreements signed by the state and align with the County’s commitment to keep children safe and healthy, at home, in school and in their communities. Most costly public services are when children are removed from their home and placed in residential care and/or hospitalized.

On or about July 23, 2024, the Parties entered into an Agreement with an initial term of August 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 for a total contract amount of $3,903,281.67. The Agreement also included 2 optional extensions for Fiscal Years 2027-28 and 2028-29. On or about January 29, 2025, the Parties amended the Agreement via the first amendment to update County email addresses and update rates.

HHSA is requesting approval of this second amendment to reduce funding in the amount of $385,423 for 2025-26 to match the adopted budgeted amount. The funding reductions will result in fewer children having access to these services. However, no children or families that are presently accessing services will be impacted. The amendment also includes updates to the rates effective July 1, 2025. When DHCS increases their rates, HHSA elects to pass-through these rates to our contracted network providers. Per Minute Order 25-35, dated May 20, 2025, the Board approved to allow the HHSA Director to sign amendment(s) for rate increases as long as the increase did not exceed four percent (4%). This rate increase is a three percent (3%) increase from their 2024-25 rates, please see Att. A. Second Amendment to review the rate tables.

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

On January 25, 2024, the County via the General Services Department, Procurement Division (GSD) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on behalf of the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) for Child, Youth and Family Outpatient Mental Health Services. The solicitation was open for 35 days, (5 weeks). On February 2, 2024, GSD and HHSA offered potential bidders an opportunity to ask questions during a bidder’s conference. 

The County received 4 proposal(s) from this solicitation (see list below). GSD reviewed the proposal for minimum requirements and all 4 proposals were moved forward to the Review Committee, comprised of 2 HHSA staff and 1 other County staff.

The Review Committee evaluated the proposals and determined that the proposal submitted by Victor Community Support Services met all the required qualifications necessary to successfully provide these services.  On April 10, 2024, the County issued an Intent to Award letter. On April 17, 2024, the County received a protest from Turning Point Community Programs (“Turning Point”) protesting/appealing the Intent to Award. Turning Point requested that the County revise the scoring methodology set forth in the RFP to account for existing provider and conduct oral interviews prior to issuing the notice of intent of award to the successful vendors (see Att. B. Protest Letter).  In accordance with County policy, the County’s Purchasing Agent reviewed the protest, the department’s evaluation process, and coordinated with County Counsel. The protest/appeal was denied as the Purchasing Agent determined the process was conducted and proposals were scored in accordance with the RFP (see Att. C. Protest Letter Response).

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

Evaluation Criteria Included in RFP

Proposals Received

Performance Measures:
HHSA confirms Victor Community Support Services is performing satisfactorily under this Agreement. Performance Measures were originally included in this Agreement and are not being revised at this time (See Att. D. Performance Measures). Victor Community Support Services has provided these mandated behavioral health services satisfactorily over the course of this agreement. For clients engaged in primary services during the past fiscal year, ninety-five to one hundred percent (95-100%) of clients remained in their home, without experiencing psychiatric hospitalization. Primary services are intended to mitigate escalation of mental health challenges in children and youth. The prevention of psychiatric hospitalization demonstrates the effectiveness of the services being provided.