This contract meets the social needs of the County’s population by providing mental health services for preschoolers with measurable delays in interpersonal, social/emotional, language and cognitive development, and for children who are at risk for such delays, including abused, developmentally delayed, SED and environmentally deprived children who do not meet the criteria for any categorical funding source for services. The County has been contracting with Contra Costa ARC (DBA VistAbility) since July 1974.
On July 26, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved #24-707-67 with Contra Costa ARC (DBA VistAbility), in an amount not to exceed $2,490,676, to provide wrap-around services including community-based, mental health treatment, case management and crisis intervention for children who are seriously emotionally disturbed in East County for the period from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, which included a six-month automatic extension through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $1,245,338. The contract was fully executed on August 12, 2022.
On August 19, 2022, Behavioral Health Administration met with EPSDT providers and concerns with the contractual rates were discussed. An agreement was reached, which requires an amendment to Contract #24-707-67. Approval of Amendment Agreement #24-707-68 will allow this contractor to continue providing community based mental health services and add ICC-CFT services through June 30, 2023. Due to the time needed to process the contract amendment request after the late August agreement, the department is requesting retroactive approval of the Board, which will ensure the contractor is paid for ICC-CFT services and at the adjusted rate for other mental health services provided as of July 1, 2022.
If this amendment is not approved, the contractor will not get paid at the negotiated rates and for new services being provide, resulting in the contractor's revenues not being sufficient to maintain their staff providing mandated services to emotionally disturbed youth.
The recommendation supports the following children's outcome(s):” and then include whichever of the following apply (1) Children Ready for and Succeeding in School; (2) Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood; (3) Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and (4) Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.