To: Board of Supervisors
From: Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Report Title: Agreement #78-056 with the California Mental Health Services Authority
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Health Services Director, or designee, to execute on behalf of the County Standard Agreement #78-056 with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), to pay the County in an amount not to exceed $24,000, for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program, for the period from January 18, 2024 through January 17, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CalMHSA will pay the County $1,600 for any individual which is awarded a scholarship and completes the SPIRIT course, not to exceed $24,000. No County match is required.
BACKGROUND:
With the passing of Senate Bill 803 in 2020, peer providers in the behavioral health workforce may now become eligible to bill Medi-Cal for services provided to clients when completing a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Program. The Health Services Department’s Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) applied for its SPIRIT Program to become an approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Program in 2023. CalMHSA has been designated by the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) as the agency which approves training programs to become Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Programs. CalMHSA has reviewed and approved the CCBHS’S SPIRIT Program to be a designed Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Program. BHSD hires graduates of its SPIRIT Program to fill the positions of Community Support Workers and Family Partners. Through execution of this agreement, individuals which successfully complete the SPIRIT Program and are hired by BHSD shall be certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists, which will allow them to bill Medi-Cal for services provide to clients. Additionally, since the SPIRIT Program is approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Program individuals who are award a scholarship by DHCS and complete the SPIRIT Program will provide up to $1,6000 in additional scholarship revenue for the County.
This Agreement was received from CalMHSA by the Behavioral Health Division in March 2024.
Approval of this Agreement #78-056 will allow County to continue to receive funds to support the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program through January 17, 2026, including agreeing to indemnify and hold the State harmless for any claims arising out of the County’s performance under the Agreement.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Agreement is not approved, the County will not be able to receive additional revenue for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program.