Subject:
Title
Funding Agreements with Boley Centers, Inc., Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc., Operation PAR, Inc., Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services, Inc., and 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. for Care Connect.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Funding Agreements with Boley Centers, Inc., Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc. (Gulf Coast), Operation PAR, Inc., Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services, Inc., and 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. for Care Connect.
• These agreements continue funding for Care Connect, an electronic information exchange platform that facilitates the secure exchange of clinical and administrative information between participating agencies and other organizations utilizing direct secure messaging.
• As part of the agreement, the agencies will continue to collaborate to improve referral processing and care coordination.
• Funding in an amount not to exceed $47,478.00 has been included in the Human Services’ Fiscal Year 2024 General Fund budget.
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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
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
These Agreements provide funding for Care Connect, an integrated behavioral health information platform that allows the secure and efficient exchange of clinical and administrative information for clients served by Boley Centers, Inc., Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc. (Gulf Coast), Operation PAR, Inc., Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services, Inc., and 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. The funding supports the cost of Care Connect subscription fees and Document Referral Sharing Software. Behavioral health and community services providers will also continue to meet as needed to discuss further integration and streamlining services to efficiently utilize the electronic referral and record-sharing system.
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Background Information:
Coordinating services among providers can be difficult and time-consuming when providers are unable to electronically share real-time clinical information. Moreover, lost or incomplete clinical and medical information can result in delays in providing appropriate care and treatment. To address these barriers, in 2016 the Board of County Commissioners approved a decision package to support funding for local behavioral health and community service agencies to support an innovative electronic health record software.
Over the past seven (7) years, the referral system has assisted in furthering efforts for collaboration and improved efficiencies for these providers through the utilization of Care Connect. On April 4th, 2024, Directions for Living, Inc. selected not to participate in the FY24 agreement extension.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $47,478.00 per fiscal year has been included in the Human Services’ Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) General Fund budget. Funding for each of these Agreements is for a two (2) year period with a one (1) year option of renewal.
$9,540.00 - Boley Centers, Inc.
$2,918.00 - Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc.
$9,540.00 - Operation PAR, Inc.
$12,740.00 - Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services, Inc.
$12,740.00 - 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc.
$47,478.00 - Total
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Boley Centers, Inc.
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc.
Netsmart Technologies
Operation PAR, Inc.
Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services, Inc.
211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc.
Attachments:
Boley Centers Agreement
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services Agreement
Operation PAR Agreement
Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services Agreement
211 Tampa Bay Cares Agreement