Essex County extends 12-month jail medical contract with CFG Health as officials plan 2025 competitive bid
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Summary
The Board approved a 12-month extension with CFG Health for medical and behavioral services at the county jail and for correction-officer physicals, with county officials saying this is the final contract option and that a competitive RFP will be issued in mid-2025.
Essex County commissioners voted to extend CFG Health’s contract for one year to continue providing medical and behavioral health services at the county jail and to cover correction-officer physicals. The board approved resolutions 6 and 7 after a presentation from CFG executives and county corrections leadership.
Brandon DeJoulis, CEO of CFG Health, told the board CFG provides “comprehensive medical and behavioral health care services to Essex County Jail” and listed the company’s long-standing role as the facility’s contractor. Dr. Lionel Anisette, medical director for Essex County and CFG, said the county’s MAT (medication-assisted treatment) program has grown substantially: “Right now, we have 350” patients on Suboxone and other medication-assisted therapies, and the program screens roughly 60 new admissions a day.
County Director of Corrections Ron Charles confirmed the extension is the final contractual option and said county staff will issue an RFP in 2025, with a target to release the solicitation around June or July 2025. Charles told commissioners the jail will expand both the number of patients served (driven by projected population increases) and the types of services offered, including a mental-health step-down unit tied to an off-site community clinical facility.
County financial staff noted prior-year expenditures for the contract were significantly lower—around $15 million in 2024—and that the 2025 encumbrance was higher to allow for expected increases in service volume and to avoid repeated contract modifications. Dr. Anisette said staffing has increased across clinical roles, including filling RN positions and adding ancillary staff and part‑time physicians; he described expanded remote services and a prebooking screening process intended to reduce hospital admissions.
The board approved the motions to adopt the resolutions by roll call. Commissioners asked for clarification on procurement timing and fiscal controls; staff said the 2025 RFP will be competitive and that the current extension is intended to maintain continuity while the county completes a comprehensive solicitation.
What happens next: County procurement staff will draft and release a competitive RFP in the first half of 2025. The extension keeps services in place while the county evaluates long-term options and potential vendors.
