Cuyahoga County’s Health and Human Services and Aging Committee on Wednesday moved to send to the full council for second reading an amendment to the county’s agreement with MetroHealth to provide comprehensive medical services to children served by the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

The amendment would extend the contract through Dec. 31, 2025, change the scope of services and add funds not to exceed $1,551,000, county staff said.

DCFS program manager Marcos Cortez, Health and Human Services, on behalf of Children and Family Services, said the amendment responds to the system’s ongoing clinical needs for children in custody. “With approximately 2,000 children and youth in care, DCFS has determined that there is a need for full access to trauma informed medical services that could appropriately address the significant challenges that children and youth are faced with when being removed from their home or placement,” Cortez said. He listed services that MetroHealth provides under the agreement, including post-placement physicals, psychotropic medication consultation and alcohol and drug testing for caregivers and adults in the home.

Aparna Roy, chair of pediatrics at MetroHealth, described the provider’s approach as a consolidated “medical home” for foster children and said MetroHealth aims to “wrap our arms around them and take care of their every aspect.” Roy said MetroHealth plans to concentrate services on its main campus after low volumes at satellite triage sites in Parma and Cleveland Heights.

Karen Storman, Division of Children and Family Services, told the committee the scope changes reflect three modifications: consolidating triage locations to address low utilization outside the main campus; reducing the behavioral health therapist positions previously included (two full-time equivalents) because of low referrals and increased DCFS internal capacity; and removing certain second-opinion services that can now be obtained through Ohio’s Medicaid managed care plans at low or no cost to the agency.

Storman confirmed that services under the contract are provided at MetroHealth’s hospital or neighborhood family service centers and are not performed at DCFS facilities. Committee members asked about contract administration; staff said MetroHealth invoices monthly. County staff explained leftover contract funds can be moved into the next contract year by a cover modification if the contract continues, but if the contract ends, unspent dollars would be decertified back to the county balance.

Committee members also asked about competition for the next procurement. Cortez said the county will issue a new request for proposals in 2025 for services beginning in 2026; staff noted plan-holder lists for prior RFPs have included multiple potential vendors, though historically MetroHealth has been the respondent that prevailed.

The committee accepted a motion from Councilwoman Conwell, seconded by Councilman Miller, to send Resolution 20 240387 — the contract amendment — to the full council on second reading. The record shows a verbal “aye” and the item will appear on the council’s second-reading calendar.

Next steps: the county intends to proceed with an RFP in 2025 for a contract to begin in 2026; the amendment currently before the council would extend MetroHealth’s option year through Dec. 31, 2025.