REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 25, 2024
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
National Health Service Corps Site Applications
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Authorize the submission of non-financial on-line applications and/or renewals, via the National Health Services Corps Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Workforce portal, to become a certified site making it eligible for licensed professionals to qualify and apply for a variety of National Health Services Corps Programs, for the period of June 25, 2024 through June 24, 2029.
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health to act as the authorized representative or site administrator to execute and submit the National Health Services Corps on-line applications, and/or any renewals, and transmit any supporting documentation necessary, such as the site agreement and the comprehensive behavioral health services checklist, to the Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Workforce on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel, for the period of June 25, 2024 through June 24, 2029.
3. Authorize the Medical Director of the Department of Behavioral Health to execute a letter attesting to the delivery of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Services, as required for the National Health Services Corps online applications, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel, for the period of June 25, 2024 through June 24, 2029.
4. Direct the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health to transmit the executed site agreements and the comprehensive behavioral health services checklists, relating to the above Recommendations, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Georgina Yoshioka, Director, 252-5142)
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) as it is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a federal government program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. It supports health professionals who provide primary health care services in underserved communities.
The NHSC site approval provides licensed primary care medical providers, as well as mental and behavioral health care providers, the opportunity to qualify for a variety of NHSC programs while working at an NHSC approved site. This includes the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP), which allows participants to have their student loans repaid in exchange for providing health care at an NHSC approved site.
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) has participated in the NHSC site certification process since 2007 and currently has 11 approved sites located throughout San Bernardino County. DBH acts as a third party in the program by obtaining certification for its service delivery sites. Eligible staff working at these approved sites then apply directly to the NHSC to participate in applicable programs.
The NHSC site application window has opened; new and renewal online applications are to be submitted via the NHSC portal to be evaluated for site certification. DBH intends to submit two new applications, which if approved will bring the total number of sites to 13. The two new applications are for the following sites: 1) Apple Valley Clinic and 2) Juvenile Justice.
In addition to the online application, a variety of supporting documentation must be submitted; these submissions require the signature of the DBH Director. Upon the Board of Supervisors’ approval of this item and execution by the authorized signatories, DBH will submit the required application and supporting documentation via the NHSC portal by the deadline of June 25, 2024.
Recommendation No. 3 will authorize the DBH Medical Director to sign a letter attesting to the delivery of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Services, as required for the NHSC application. The letter will be used as a template for any future applications, and used, if applicable, at locations where Medically Assisted Treatment services are provided.
Approval of this item will allow DBH to execute and submit current and future NHSC applications and/or any renewals and the supporting documentation, subject to County Counsel review. The submission of applications to become a certified or approved site(s) are beneficial to DBH as the sites becomes a tool which will assist in the recruitment and retention of necessary medical and behavioral professionals.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by (Ellayna Hoatson, Contracts Supervisor, 388-0858) on June 12, 2024; County Counsel (Charles Phan, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 13, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on June 13, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on June 13, 2024.