Essex County approves up to $74.37M contract with CFG Health for jail medical and behavioral health services

Essex County commissioners approved a three‑year contract with CFG Health Systems to provide medical, dental and behavioral‑health services at the Essex County Correctional Facility, with the administration citing continuity of care and expanded mental‑health coverage.

Captain Camacho introduced the item and said CFG was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for a contract from the date of award through Dec. 31, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $74,370,000 (a figure presented on the record that annualizes to roughly $24.78 million per year as noted in the presentation). Commissioners questioned components of the proposed increases and asked for a breakdown of the staffing and cost composition.

Brandon DeJoulis, CEO of CFG Health, described the provider mix as including doctors, midlevel providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants), registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and ancillary staff; CFG said the staffing model includes full‑time, part‑time and per‑diem personnel and that the new contract includes an updated staffing matrix. "Our staff is comprised of full time, part time, and per diem," DeJoulis said, adding CFG would provide the detailed staffing matrix to the board on request.

Madeline Bell, regional director for CFG, told commissioners the facility is staffed 24/7 with provider coverage and gave sample daily staffing: nine LPNs, four RNs, two physicians, five midlevel providers, a psychiatrist and mental‑health director, mental‑health technicians and dental staff; she said the jail maintains a 42‑bed infirmary and seven‑day dental coverage. Captain Camacho said mental‑health professional staffing was expanded from two to six in response to assessments and recommendations from a civilian task force and commission members.

Commissioner questions focused on how the staffing hours and categories map to the contract staffing cost lines (commissioners asked specifically how the $15–17 million staffing portion breaks down across job classes, pharmaceuticals, hospital/specialty charges and other costs). CFG agreed to provide the detailed staffing matrix and cost breakdown to the board; the board moved and approved the contract on roll call. Commissioners recorded their request that the administration supply the staffing matrix and contract detail as follow‑up.

The contract award was moved and approved by roll call; the administration said the contract will be implemented according to procurement rules and that individual project details and staffing matrices will be provided to commissioners in writing and at future committee meetings.