Subject:
Title
Funding Agreement with Operation PAR, Inc. for Medication Assisted Treatment through the Substance Abuse Service Expansion Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Funding Agreement with Operation PAR, Inc. (PAR) for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) through the Substance Abuse Service Expansion Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
This Agreement will allow PAR to provide one (1) full-time Bachelor’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) to co-locate with the County’s Healthcare for the Homeless program and facilitate the integration of primary care and behavioral health care for referrals made in consultation with the program Medical Director. This Agreement will run retroactive to March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017, and will automatically renew for an additional grant year if new or additional funding is awarded. Funding through this program will enhance the health center’s existing model of integrated primary/behavioral health care by providing on-site Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), assessment, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for an identified group of 40 patients-- 10 receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment for a period of six months, and 30 receiving injectable Naltrexone, or Vivitrol, for a period of six (6) months, coupled with counseling sessions.
Background/Explanation:
Since 1988, medical, behavioral health, and dental care referrals have been provided to the homeless population in the County via the MMU. Primary health care is provided at no charge to homeless patients with incomes at or below 100% of the FPL.
The need for additional substance abuse services is great. Nationwide, approximately six (6) adult men die from alcohol poisoning every day. At least 50 percent of health center patients are adult men who use/abuse alcohol. Data from Operation PAR, the County’s only licensed nonprofit provider of MAT, shows that 17% of the clients seen for inpatient detoxification for the past year were homeless. Close to 60% of the total number served (1371) have opioids as their primary drug of choice and close to 40% with alcohol as a primary drug of choice. This data indicates that this patient population has demonstrated need for ongoing treatment and continuous engagement.
In 2015, the County served 2,239 unduplicated homeless patients through the MMU and Safe Harbor medical clinic.
Fiscal Impact:
This award provides supplemental federal funding to the Health Care for the Homeless Program for Substance Abuse Service Expansion in the amount of $325,000 per year for the period retroactive to March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017. Ongoing funding equivalent to the amount of this award will continue beyond FY 2016 dependent upon Congressional appropriation and satisfactory performance. No County match is required.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Funding Agreement is granted under Legistar item number 16-517A.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Operation PAR, Inc.
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Attachments:
Program Budget
Program Outcomes Report
Data Sharing Agreement
Grant Funding Conditions
Grant Certifications
Budget Modification
HIPAA Business Associate Agreement
Insurance Requirements