REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 19, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award from the Department of Health Care Services, Providing Access and Transforming Health - Justice-Involved Planning and Capacity Building Program - Round 4
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept the Providing Access and Transforming Health - Justice-Involved Planning and Capacity Building Program Round 4 grant award from the Department of Health Care Services, in the amount of $300,000, and approve the corresponding Acknowledgment of Grant Terms and Conditions, including non-standard terms, for the performance period of May 19, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Chief Deputy Director to electronically sign and accept the Acknowledgment of Grant Terms and Conditions, referenced in Recommendation No. 1, as required by the Department of Health Care Services, for the Providing Access and Transforming Health - Justice-Involved Planning and Capacity Building Program Round 4 grant award.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Chief Deputy Director, to transmit the signed Acknowledgment of Grant Terms and Conditions to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) will receive reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $300,000 from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) - Justice-Involved Planning and Capacity Building Program Round 4 grant (Grant). A budget adjustment is not requested at this time but may be included in a future midyear budget report to be presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval, if necessary. Sufficient appropriation exists within the Department’s current budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
California State Assembly Bill 133 (Chapter 143, Statutes 2021) authorized PATH funding to support the planning processes related to the implementation of the full suite of statewide California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiatives, such as the Justice-Involved Planning and Capacity Building Program that builds on the successful work conducted under Whole Person Care. The Grant will allow the Department to continue building capacity and expanding access to necessary pre-release and post-release services under CalAIM.
The Grant provides funding opportunities to correctional agencies and institutions, and county departments of social services, in four rounds. On October 25, 2022 (Item No. 86), the Board accepted the grant award (Contract No. 22-1078) for PATH Round 1 funding in the amount of $300,000, for the period of July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026, to identify and scope out the processes, protocols, and information technology (IT) system infrastructure modifications necessary to implement or modify pre-release Medi-Cal enrollment and suspension processes. Additionally, the funding was also utilized to reimburse Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for consulting costs related to the assessment of the Department’s Medi-Cal enrollment and suspension processes for inmates housed in County correctional facilities.
On August 8, 2023 (Item No. 56), the Board accepted PATH Grant Round 2 funding (Contract No. 23-859) in the amount of $1,801,607 and Round 3 funding (Contract No. 23-860) in the amount of $5,000,000. PATH Grant Round 2 provided funding to entities to support the implementation processes, protocols, and IT systems modifications that were identified during Round 1, and was utilized by the Department to fund technology upgrades and infrastructure modifications to assist with the completion of Medi-Cal applications at the County’s correctional facilities. PATH Grant Round 3 provided funding dedicated exclusively to justice-involved pre-release services, behavioral health linkage implementation, and Medi-Cal application and suspension processes, and is currently being utilized by the Department to address needs that will improve the implementation of Medi-Cal Reentry services.
On July 11, 2025, the Department submitted the application for PATH Grant Round 4 to DHCS; the notification of award was received by the Department on April 21, 2026, in an amount of $300,000, with a performance period of May 19, 2026 through December 31, 2027. PATH Grant Round 4 funds are intended to provide continued support in the planning and implementation of targeted pre-release Medi-Cal services for inmates housed in the County’s correctional facilities.
The Grant requires acceptance of the Acknowledgment of Grant Terms and Conditions (AGTC), including a non-standard term, and outlines the allowable use of the Grant funding and Department responsibilities. Additionally, the AGTC designates a third-party administrator (TPA) to administer and communicate with the Department with respect to the Grant.
The non-standard terms that differ from the standard County contract are as follows:
1. The Grant does not require TPA to indemnify the County, as required by Policies 11-05 and 11-07.
• The County standard contract requires the Contractor to indemnify and hold harmless the County in accordance with County Policy 11-07.
• Potential Impact: The Grant will require the County to hold harmless the TPA, its officers, agents, employees, representatives, and/or designees from and against any and all liability, actions, claims, demands, or suits, and all related costs, attorney fees, and expenses arising out of, or relating to the receipt of Grant funds. The County may be required to cover the TPA’s liability and legal costs if claims arise related to the grant funds.
2. The Grant does not require TPA to meet the County’s insurance standards as required pursuant to County Policies, 11-05, 11-07 and 11-07SP.
• The County standard contract requires the Contractor to carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and as set forth in County Policy 11-05, 11-07, and 11-07 SP and in the County standard Contract .
• Potential Impact: The County has no assurance that TPA will be financially responsible for claims that may arise under the Grant, which can result in expenses to the County that exceed the total Grant amount.
The Department recommends approval of Recommendations No. 1 and No. 2, including the non-standard terms, as the benefits from the Grant funding provided by DHCS outweigh potential risks associated with implementing services for eligible participants. County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and provided input on the proposed Grant award.
The Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff or Chief Deputy Director, is required by DHCS to accept and sign the Grant’s AGTC electronically by May 29, 2026. Authorization is requested for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Chief Deputy Director to electronically accept the terms and conditions related to the PATH Grant award.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Miles Kowalski, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 4, 2026; Risk Management (Stephanie Pacheco, Staff Analyst, 396-9039) on May 4, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on May 4, 2026.