REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 28, 2025
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Loma Linda University, Department of Occupational Therapy, for Occupational Therapy Consultation Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-524 with Loma Linda University, Department of Occupational Therapy, to provide occupational therapy consultation services, increasing the contract amount by $1,096,000 from $274,000 to $1,370,000, and extending the contract period by an additional two years, for a total contract period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
(Presenter: Arlene Molina, Director, 383-2078)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact on Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The contract amount of $1,370,000 for occupational therapy consultation services is funded by the Mental Health Services Act through an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Behavioral Health. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Preschool Services Department’s (PSD) 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PSD operates the Early Head Start, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership, Head Start, State General Child Care and Development, and State Preschool programs. These programs provide education, health, nutrition, cognitive, social/emotional, physical growth and development, and parent involvement services for children ages 0 to 5 with the overall goal of increasing family engagement and the school readiness of young children in economically disadvantaged families.
On June 8, 2021 (Item No. 51), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved non-financial MOU No. 21-449 with Loma Linda University, Department of Occupational Therapy (LLU) to participate in a research study with the Head Start Home Visitation program, effective June 9, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The study explored the role of occupational therapy practitioners in the home visitation program(s) promoting inclusion for children 0 to 3 years of age who have experienced adversity. Through this study, PSD obtained knowledge regarding the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the benefits of occupational therapy training, which include providing strategies to improve physical, and cognitive function in children, ages 0 to 5 with ACEs.
On June 13, 2023 (Item No. 49), the Board approved Contract No. 23-524 with LLU, in the amount of $274,000, to provide occupational therapy consultation services for the contract period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.
The total annual contract amount has increased to $274,000 per year to reflect a correction in the calculations of annual costs from the original contract, as well as modifications to vendor fees, which have been adjusted to better align with services provided. The additional funding will go to support the expansion of early intervention services provided to children with ACEs, children exhibiting behaviors challenging to staff, and parent support/training. In addition, the contract is being extended by the remaining two years available on the contract to eliminate the need for any additional amendments in the future.
LLU’s performance will be monitored by review of monthly reports to ensure compliance with the administrative, fiscal, and program requirements of the contract. LLU will cooperate with the County in the monitoring and evaluation of this contract and comply with all established reporting requirements. The contract may be terminated without cause by the County with 30 days written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on November 26, 2024; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 27, 2024; Finance (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 388-0218) on December 9, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on January 9, 2025.