The Behavioral Health Services Department has been contracting with La Cheim, Inc. since 1979 for these services. This contract meets the social needs of County's population by providing school-based services and a residential treatment program which includes mental health services, case management, crisis intervention, medication support and TBS for SED youth ages 8-21 in West County who are eligible for services according to the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or who are wards or dependents of the Contra Costa County Juvenile Court. This contractor also provides TBS to County-referred children. Expected program outcomes include an increase in positive social and emotional development as measured by the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS).
On July 23, 2019 the Board of Supervisors approved Novation Contract #24-133-70 with La Cheim School, Inc., for school-based services and a residential treatment program for SED youth ages 8-21 in west county for the provision of case management, school based mental health services and TBS, for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, which included a six-month automatic extension through December 31, 2020.
On March 10, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved Amendment Agreement #24-133-71, to increase the contract payment limit by $68,392 to a new payment limit of $2,633,076. On April 28, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved Amendment Agreement #24-133-72, to modify the rate schedule for the period April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020 due to COVID-19. On July 28, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved Amendment Agreement #24-133-73 to modify the rate schedule for the period July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 due to COVID-19.
Approval of Contract #24-133-74 will allow the contractor to continue providing TBS for SED youth, through June 30, 2021.
If this contract is not approved, there will be fewer treatment options for wards of the Contra Costa County Juvenile Court and County’s SED clients in West Contra Costa County. This may result in delays in the provisions of these treatment services as required by the Federal IDEA Act.
This program supports the following Board of Supervisors’ community outcomes: (1) Children Ready for and Succeeding in School; (4) Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and (5) Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.