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Committee advances $83.9 million amendment to Medicaid foster-care services contract; members seek vendor monitoring details
Summary
The committee advanced an amendment to a master Medicaid and foster-care services contract that adds new providers, extends terms, and increases funds by up to $83,877,274.99; members requested written corrective-action documentation for a vendor with prior allegations and asked for a list of contracts moving to 15-month terms.
Cuyahoga County officials on Thursday advanced a major amendment to the county’s master contract for Medicaid home-and-community-based services and foster-care placements and asked for additional oversight documentation on one provider with prior complaints.
The measure, read as Resolution R2025-0069, would extend the contract term through March 31, 2026, add new providers and add funds not to exceed $83,877,274.99 effective Jan. 1, 2025. David Merriman of the Department of Health and Human Services described the amendment as increasing some provider rates toward the state median and changing a 12-month term to a 15-month term in order to avoid contracts expiring in December.
Why it matters: The master services agreement funds out-of-home placements and foster-care services used when children require licensed third-party placements. Committee members sought reassurances that the county would retain placement authority and that children’s safety would not be compromised by administrative procurement changes.
Director Jacqueline Fletcher, Children and Family Services, described the county’s special investigation unit and monitoring practices and said she found no substantiated abuse findings in the specific case being discussed. “Anytime there is an allegation of suspected abuse and neglect … we have a special investigation unit that goes out to investigate any allegations,” Fletcher said, adding that the county conducts regular on-site visits and monitoring, and that “we can follow-up and have something to you from the vendor specifically if you want something in writing from them.”
Chair Conwell pressed for a written plan of correction addressing two incidents related to the residential group home named in the contract; county staff agreed to seek written assurances from the provider and to provide committee members with written expectations around monitoring. Merriman said county staff will evaluate any potential state procurement options and may augment state contracts if needed to ensure placement needs are met.
The amendment adds new vendors to the master agreement and anticipates a future reprocurement later in the year; staff said any new vendor must still meet county licensing and contracting requirements. The 15-month term is targeted to contracts that otherwise would expire in December so no contract will lapse at year-end without renewal.
Councilman Sweeney moved to advance R2025-0069 under second-reading suspension; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee members requested a list of contracts affected by the 15-month change and additional detail on vendor vetting for specialized medical and behavioral needs.
What’s next: Staff agreed to provide the committee a list of contracts that will move to 15 months, to follow up with the vendor about written corrective actions, and to return with procurement timelines and further oversight documentation as requested.
