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Behavioral Health: respite RFP withdrawn; staff proposes pivot to school‑based behavioral supports for youth and young parents
Summary
After one vendor withdrew from a request‑for‑proposals for youth caregiver respite services, Behavioral Health staff said they will pivot to a partnership with a local charter program (the Lumen School) to place credentialed behavioral‑health staff on site and broaden access at income thresholds above typical Medicaid coverage.
Behavioral Health staff told commissioners on March 18 that a solicitation for youth caregiver respite beds attracted a single respondent who subsequently withdrew, and staff recommended redirecting approved funds to support school‑based behavioral‑health services at the Lumen School.
Why it matters: County behavioral health funding seeks to expand upstream interventions for youth and families. Staff said the RFP for adolescent caregiver respite was not viable in the current contracting environment — the applicant withdrew citing feasibility and a shift to outpatient services — and that bed‑based respite faces sustainability concerns tied to Medicaid reimbursement and evolving waiver rules.
Staff recommended repurposing the previously authorized funds to place a credentialed behavioral‑health professional in the Lumen School to provide assessment, care coordination and connections to community services for students and young parents. Staff argued this approach leverages existing school resources, increases access for an underserved group (charter‑school students may have fewer local funding options), and uses county funds to cover staff costs directly rather than building a bed‑based program with uncertain sustainability.
Justin (behavioral‑health staff) said the county also expanded provider contract eligibility earlier in January to cover individuals at up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, and staff secured state legislative support for acute‑care diversion funds that can support community alternatives.
Ending: Commissioners expressed support for the recommendation to pivot to school‑based services and asked staff to complete contracting and return with formal contract documents for board approval.
