REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 24, 2022
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Interim Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Memorandum of Understanding with San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools for the Prevention and Early Intervention Student Assistance Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Memorandum of Understanding with San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools to provide Prevention and Early Intervention Student Assistance Program services, in the amount of $5,188,380, for the contract period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027.
(Presenter: Georgina Yoshioka, Interim Director, 388-0801)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the amount of $5,188,380 ($1,037,676 annually) is funded by Mental Health Services Act funds and will reimburse the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) for the provision of the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Student Assistance Program (SAP), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS), and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) activities. Adequate appropriation and revenue will be included in the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) 2022-23 recommended budget and in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH and SBCSS have collaborated to provide training and technical assistance to Student Assistance providers and educators countywide since 2009. SBCSS provides supportive SAP services to behavioral health contract providers, school personnel, parents, and students, at all schools within San Bernardino County. Services include training, presentations, and technical assistance for school-based student mental health services. DBH reimburses SBCSS for the delivery of these services, which build and maintain support for PEI SAP countywide. It is anticipated SAP services will be provided to an estimated 5,000 unduplicated school staff and partners annually, at an average cost of $208 per participant.
The SAP serves students and their families through a systemic process using techniques to mobilize resources to remove barriers of learning. The core of the program is a professionally trained team that includes school staff and staff from community alcohol and drug and mental health agencies. SAP team members are trained to identify problems, make recommendations to assist the student and parents, provide services to improve student wellbeing, and provide follow-up services.
SAP service providers provide on-campus mental health outreach, education, and early intervention treatment services.
Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) model trainings are also provided through this MOU. PBIS is a positive behavioral model implemented in schools that provides training to school staff, including parents and teachers, to create positive school climates and increase school connectedness. This model is a powerful protective factor that research has demonstrated decreases risks in several areas, by utilizing positive behavioral reinforcement when responding to behavioral and mental health issues students may be exhibiting.
During the term of this MOU, SBCSS will facilitate the establishment of a countywide consortium. This consortium will bring together partners from various perspectives, including local government, non-profit institutions, community-based organizations, industry, and education to address shared concerns and develop an authentic vision for the future. In alignment with the Countywide Vision, this addition will champion a self-sustainable system of seamless, accessible and effective services that advance wellness, recovery and resiliency, integration of primary care, and mental health supports to provide a full range of health creating opportunities for individuals, families, and communities.
Goals of the consortium will be as follows:
1. Replace competing agendas, siloed funding streams, and duplicative programs, with a common vision resulting in sustainable investments.
2. Ensure that the consortium becomes a self-sustaining entity not dependent on DBH’s financial support. This project will be limited to the term of this MOU and based on the availability of funding.
DBH will monitor contract performance on a regular basis to ensure performance and compliance standards are met. The SBCSS invoices will be reviewed and approved by DBH Programs to ensure client counts are accurate prior to being forwarded to DBH Fiscal for payment. DBH Fiscal will verify signatures and service costs prior to issuing payment.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Natalie Kessee, Contracts Manager, 388-0869) on April 28, 2022; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 28, 2022; Finance (Christopher Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on May 3, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on May 9, 2022.