Subject:
Title
First Amendment to the Withdrawal Management Services Inpatient Agreement with Operation PAR, Inc. to include Care Connect funding and update service terminology.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the first Amendment (Amendment) to include Care Connect funding and update the scope of the agreement with Operation PAR, Inc. (Operation PAR) for adult inpatient withdrawal management services (formerly referred to as detox treatment).
• The amendment consolidates agreements by adding Care Connect Funding to the Withdrawal Management Services Agreement. It also updates the service terminology used in the Agreement by replacing all references to “Detoxification” or “Detox” with the more client-centered, non-stigmatizing term “Withdrawal Management Services” to reflect a more compassionate and comprehensive approach.
• Care Connect, an electronic information-exchange platform enables secure clinical and administrative data sharing among participating agencies, supporting more effective care coordination and referrals
• Care Connect was previously funded under a separate agreement under file number 23-1035D, which expires on September 30, 2026. This amendment consolidates the funds previously allocated to that agreement into the current Withdrawal Management Services Inpatient agreement.
• In 2016, the Board of County Commissioners approved a decision package to fund an innovative electronic health record solution for local behavioral health and community service agencies, and over the past ten years the referral system has supported greater collaboration and efficiency through the use of Care Connect.
• Funding in an amount not to exceed $9,540.00 for Care Connect has been identified in the Human Services proposed FY27 General Fund appropriation. The original Agreement is an amount not to exceed $214,987.50, and with the addition of funding for Care Connect, this amendment increases the FY27 not to exceed amount to $224,527.50.
• Funding for this amendment is included in the FY27 proposed budget for Human Services withing the General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
The amendment consolidates funding agreements by adding funding for Care Connect to the Withdrawal Management Services Agreement. Care Connect is an electronic information exchange platform that enables secure clinical and administrative data sharing between participating agencies via direct secure messaging. The agency will continue to work collaboratively with the County and other community organizations to support the efficient electronic exchange of shared client health information for more effective care coordination and service referrals. It also updates the service terminology used in the Agreement by replacing all references to “Detoxification” or “Detox” with the more client centered, non-stigmatizing term “Withdrawal Management Services” to reflect a more compassionate and comprehensive approach.
The Board previously approved the follow items related to the program: original Withdrawal Management Services Inpatient agreement under file 25-0451D.
Care Connect was previously funded under a separate agreement, under file number 23-1035D, which expires on September 30, 2026. This amendment consolidates the funds previously allocated to that agreement into the current Withdrawal Management Services Inpatient agreement.
Background/Explanation:
Coordinating services among providers can be challenging and time-consuming when real-time clinical information cannot be shared electronically. Lost or incomplete medical data can delay appropriate care and treatment. To address these barriers, the Board of County Commissioners approved a 2016 decision package to fund an innovative electronic health record solution for local behavioral health and community services agencies.
Over the past ten (10) years, the referral system has assisted in furthering efforts for collaboration and improved efficiency for these providers through the utilization of Care Connect.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $9,540.00 for Care Connect has been identified in the Human Services proposed Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund appropriation. The original Agreement totals $214,987.50 for FY26, and with the addition of funding for Care Connect this amendment increases FY27 not to exceed amount to $224,527.50.
Funding for this amendment is included in the FY27 proposed budget for Human Services withing the General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget
The agreement has a fiscal non-funding clause, should this portion of the budget not be approved.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Operation PAR, Inc.
Attachments:
Amendment