REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 22, 2026
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Acting Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Telecare Corporation for Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 21-695 with Telecare Corporation, for the provision of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment, updating contract language, increasing the total contract amount by $1,982,186, from $6,867,357 to $8,849,543, and extending the term by one year, for a total contract period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2027.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Acting Director, 252-5142)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The contract increase of $1,982,186 for the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) program is funded by the Behavioral Health Services Act and Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation (Medi-Cal FFP). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) 2026-27 budget and will be included in the 2027-28 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services to county residents experiencing severe mental illness and/or SUD. An integral part of the service delivery system consists of assisting those who are historically high users of acute inpatient and crisis services. The FACT program provides specialized, around-the-clock mental health services aimed at reducing recidivism in both jail and psychiatric hospitalizations. This is accomplished through the delivery of mental health education and treatment; the development of independent living skills; and the provision of support services such as housing, social support, and outreach.
The FACT treatment program is community-based and provides supportive, intensive case management services, including psychiatric consultations, to participants and family members at their residences for those who are unable to attend in-office appointments. Participants benefit from increased wellness and stabilization via a “whatever it takes” approach. This program operates on a 1:10 staff-to-participant ratio, ensuring an even caseload required to provide essential services across participant stabilization phases. The ultimate goal is to stabilize participants to transition to a lower level of care such as standard outpatient services.
On September 21, 2021 (Item No. 10), as a result of a competitive procurement, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 21-695 with Telecare Corporation (Telecare) for the FACT program, in the amount of $6,311,250, for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2026.
On November 4, 2025 (Item No. 9), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 21-695, updating standard contract language and increasing the contract amount by $556,107, from $6,311,250 to $6,867,357, with no change to the contract period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2026.
Since 2021, Telecare has provided FACT program services to:
• Approximately 50-70 unduplicated clients annually
• An estimated annual cost of $25,976 per client
Over the course of this contract extension, FACT program services are expected to continue serving:
• An estimated 70 unduplicated clients annually
• An estimated annual cost of $28,317 per client
Performance measures for the FACT program service contract continue to focus on tracking service quality, timeliness, accessibility, and outcomes to ensure providers meet established standards. Contractors are required to submit regular reporting such as monthly service logs, outcome data, fiscal reports, and compliance documentation, which allows the department to monitor progress and identify trends or concerns. Accountability mechanisms, including performance audits, contract monitoring meetings, site visits, and corrective action plans, help ensure that services are delivered as intended and align with program goals. Together, these structures promote transparency, support continuous improvement, and ensure that community members receive high-quality, effective behavioral health services. Outcome measures throughout the FACT program’s agreement years indicate Telecare continues to meet all contractually required performance expectations. Additionally, the FACT program has seen a 33% decrease in client incarcerations and a 45% decrease in client hospitalization from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
Approval of this item will allow DBH to maintain continuity of care while working toward a formal procurement for the new Full-Service Partnership. To bridge the gap between the end of this amendment term in September 2027 and the formal procurement, Telecare FACT will enter into non-competitive procurement. The recommended Amendment to the FACT program service contract with Telecare will increase the total contract amount by $1,982,186, accounting for current adjusted Medi-Cal FFP rates, and extend the contract term for one year, for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2027, update the contract language to reflect the contract extension, increase in funding, and new standard language regarding Schedules A and B. These services foster a sense of community among participants, increasing overall public safety.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health (Diana Barajas, Administrative Supervisor I, 383-3940) on August 28, 2026; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 19, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 388-8392) on September 2, 2026.