Subject:
Title
Agreement with Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, Inc. for the Behavioral Health Coordinated Access Model.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the agreement with Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, Inc. (GCJFCS) for the Behavioral Health Coordinated Access Model (CAM).
• This contract will provide for the implementation and operation of the Pinellas County CAM by the contractor, GCJFCS. The CAM will serve as a centralized intake service to streamline access to care for people experiencing behavioral health issues.
• Three firms submitted proposals, one of which, Bamboo Health Inc., was determined non-responsive for failure to meet proposal requirements. Following the evaluation processes, GCJFCS was ranked as the highest-ranked firm and is recommended for award.
• The initial term of this agreement is thirty-six months with a not-to-exceed amount of $2,519,236.40. There is also a provision for one twenty-four-month term beyond the initial thirty-six-month term if agreed upon by the parties.
• This project is anticipated to be fully or partially funded with City/County Opioid Settlement Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. Funding for this agreement is included in the FY27 Adopted Budget for Human Services within the Opioid Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Contract No. 26-0600-RFP in the total not-to-exceed amount of $2,519,236.40 for a thirty-six-month term; Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
Summary
This contract will provide funding for GCJFCS to implement and operate the Pinellas County CAM. The CAM will serve as a centralized intake service intended to streamline access to care for persons experiencing behavioral health issues and other conditions through appropriate processes, skill sets, and technology.
The objectives of the CAM are to (1) improve access to care, (2) improve management of demand, (3) improve transparency of information, (4) minimize service duplication of intake services, allowing for one initial intake that all agencies can utilize, and (5) improve consistency in consumer experience.
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Background Information:
An RFP was released on June 2, 2026; three submittals were received, and GCJFCS was determined to be the highest-ranked firm by the evaluation committee. Negotiations were completed on August 26, 2026.
Fiscal Impact:
Estimated Three (3) Year Expenditure Not-to-Exceed: $2,519,236.40.
Funding for this agreement is included in the FY27 Adopted Budget for Human Services within the Opioid Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Merry Celeste, Purchasing Division Director, Office of Management & Budget
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management & Budget.
Partners:
Pinellas County Behavioral Health Partners
Attachments:
Agreement
Final Ranking