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After hours of testimony and debate, supervisors award suicide prevention contract to Didi Hirsch
Summary
Following extensive public comment from survivors and providers and a contested procurement debate, the Board voted down the staff recommendation for OCAPICA and approved a substitute motion awarding the suicide and self-harm reduction services contract to Didi Hirsch; staff will return with a contract and Didi Hirsch may subcontract to preserve multilingual survivor supports.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on June 24 debated and ultimately awarded the county's suicide and self-harm reduction services contract to Didi Hirsch after lengthy public testimony and an apparent split over procurement scoring and Medi-Cal billing readiness.
The meeting opened item 51 with the health care agency's recommendation to award the contract to the Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA). OCAPICA representatives described a multilingual, multi-county capacity and readiness to begin services July 1. Dozens of public commenters — many survivors and clinicians from Didi Hirsch and community providers — urged the board to retain Didi Hirsch, emphasizing specialized survivor bereavement services, longstanding local programs, and a reported wait list of "40 plus" clients who have sought services.
Board members questioned Health Care Agency staff about the procurement process, particularly the weight of an oral interview and whether Medi-Cal billing readiness should determine the award. Ian Kemmer, Behavioral Health Director, and Juan Corral, Director of Procurement, explained that written proposals and oral interviews were combined, and that panels scored interview responses; the interview performance produced the scoring difference between proposers.
Chair moved the staff recommendation to award to OCAPICA. Supervisor Wagner objected, saying specialization in suicide-specific and survivor services is crucial, and she offered a substitute motion to award the contract to Didi Hirsch. The original motion failed on a roll call (2 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention). The board then considered the substitute motion. Supervisor Wagner moved to award to Didi Hirsch and Supervisor Foley seconded; the board approved the substitute motion by roll call (majority in favor). County counsel and staff said there is no contract with Didi Hirsch before the board today and that staff will return with a contract for execution.
Board members and public speakers repeatedly urged that Didi Hirsch's survivor-specific services and long local history — including survivor support groups and bereavement counseling — make it uniquely qualified for the role. Didi Hirsch spokespeople said their Medi-Cal application had been submitted, that they had a contract ID and were awaiting a site visit, and that they were prepared to bill retroactive to July 1 pending completion of certification.
Several supervisors directed Didi Hirsch to collaborate with OCAPICA and other local providers to preserve language access and continuity of care; Didi Hirsch representatives said they have historically worked with subcontractors and would include local partners and training where needed. The board's vote replaces the procurement recommendation with a board-level substitute award and instructs staff to return with formal contract documents.
