To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Interim Health Services Director
Report Title: Participation Agreement #74-722-1 with California Mental Health Services Authority
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Interim Health Services Director, or designee, to execute on behalf of the County Participation Agreement #74-722-1 with California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), a public entity, to authorize CalMHSA to contract with California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) for access and use of state hospital bed utilization on behalf of County, for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a non-financial agreement.
BACKGROUND:
For many years Contra Costa County has joined a consortium of counties in contracting with CalMHSA who negotiates rates and terms with the DSH on behalf of California counties. Participation is not mandatory but is greatly preferred to ensure conformity with other participants and streamlining negotiations and limiting costs. The State hospital program is focused on streamlining administration and contracting between the DSH and counties. CalMHSA provides expertise in negotiating rates, terms and conditions of psychiatric bed utilization at the State hospitals. In addition, CalMHSA explores alternatives to State hospital usage as many counties are experiencing wait times for care.
The purpose of this Participation Agreement is to grant CalMHSA the authority to contract with DSH for state hospital bed utilization on behalf of County and to define roles and responsibilities between CalMHSA and Participants in the context of a MOU between CalMHSA and DSH. The County has been contracting with CalMHSA since July 2021. Per Administrative Bulletin 600.3, intergovernmental agencies are exempt from Solicitation requirements.
On February 25, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved Participation Agreement #74-722 with CalMHSA to act as the administrative agent to contract with DSH for access and use of state hospital bed utilization on behalf of County, for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.
Approval of Participation Agreement #74-722-1 will allow the Contractor to continue providing administrative agent services through June 30, 2027. This Agreement includes mutual indemnification to hold harmless both the County and the Department of State Hospitals for any claims arising out of the performance of this Agreement.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Participation Agreement is not approved, Contra Costa County will not have access to CalMHSA’s administrative agent services for state hospital bed utilization.