REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 27, 2023
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Contract with Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital for Physical Examinations
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve contract with Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, including non-standard terms, to provide physical examinations of children suspected of being victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, in the total aggregate amount of $1,250,000, for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028.
(Presenter: Ernie Perez, Deputy Chief, 387-3760)
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
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net Count Cost). The cost of services provided by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH), in the amount of $250,000 per year, is included in the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) 2023-24 recommended budget (4430001000) and will be included in future recommended budgets.
|
Fiscal Year |
Requested Amount |
|
2023-24 |
$250,000 |
|
2024-25 |
$250,000 |
|
2025-26 |
$250,000 |
|
2026-27 |
$250,000 |
|
2027-28 |
$250,000 |
|
Total Amount |
$1,250,000 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On September 29, 1986, (Item No. 62), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 86-926 that created a public-private partnership between San Bernardino County (County) and Loma Linda University Medical Center to develop and operate a one-stop multi-disciplinary interview center where child victims of sexual and physical abuse are forensically interviewed and receive evidentiary medical examinations, that led to the creation of the Children’s Assessment Center (CAC). The goal of the CAC is to reduce the trauma to the child during a child abuse investigation. On October 23, 2012 (Item No. 26), the Board reaffirmed the Governing partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (Agreement No. 12-778).
LLUCH has provided medical services at the CAC through a contractual relationship with the County since the CAC’s inception. The current contract with LLUCH was approved by the Board on June 28, 2016 (Item No. 78) for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021, for $1,100,000, with the option to renew the contract for two additional one-year terms or by one additional two-year term. Subsequently, on June 22, 2021 (Item No. 96), the Board approved an increase of $440,000, from $1,100,000 to $1,540,000, and a two year extension to the contract term, for a new contract period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2023.
The proposed contract outlines the services to be provided, including medical examination of alleged victims, consultation with County departments relative to the preparation of court cases, participation in multi-disciplinary team meetings, provision written reports and court testimony, and provision of education and training relative to the examination and diagnosis of child sexual and physical abuse. Additionally, the contract with LLUCH contains a non-standard term and condition that differs from the standard County contract as follows:
1. The contract with LLUCH allows for mutual indemnification.
• The County standard contract requires the Contractor to indemnify the County in accordance with County Policy 11-07.
• Potential Impact: The contract will require the County and LLUCH to indemnify each other based on comparative fault. The County could be liable for potential harm or loss incurred by LLUCH.
The Department recommends approval of this contract, including the non-standard term, as it believes that access to the specialized resources provided by the CAC far outweighs any risks upon utilizing the available services. The Department believes personnel and LLUCH-CAC have adequate insurance coverage. County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and provided input on the proposed contract with LLUCH. Approval of this item will provide a five year contract for services. Either party may terminate the Contract upon 30 days’ advance written notice.
PROCUREMENT
The Purchasing Department concurs that a contractual relationship exists between LLUCH and County since the CAC’s inception and reaffirmed with the MOU (Agreement No. 12-778).
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 11, 2023; Purchasing (Michael Candelaria, Lead Buyer, 387-0321) on May 8, 2023; Risk Management (Victor Tordesillas, Director, 386-8621) on May 16; 2023; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on June 8, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on June 11, 2023.