Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Community Partnerships
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to negotiate and execute Amendments to Agreements, subject to legal sufficiency review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, between Broward County and the following three private ambulance transport providers: (1) RG Ambulance Service, Inc., d/b/a All County Ambulance, (2) National Health Transport Inc., and (3) M C T Express, Inc., effective January 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026, to increase funding in each Agreement in the amount of $98,200, totaling $294,600 increase in the aggregate, and revise each Exhibit 1 to include additional Broward County public schools and allow the transport of students ages 18-21; authorize the County Administrator to execute further amendments to the Agreements, subject to legal sufficiency review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, provided that such amendments do not impose additional financial obligations on the County; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreements as amended.
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Why Action is Necessary
Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) approval is required for agreements with external agencies.
What Action Accomplishes
Approval of this Motion allows the County Administrator to negotiate amendments and increases funding to expand the Baker Act Alternative Youth Transportation Program to include additional Broward County public schools and allow the transport of students from ages 18-21 experiencing a behavioral health crisis to an appropriate adult receiving facility in Broward County.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER & TRAUMA SERVICES AND THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
These actions support the Commission’s value of “building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives” and the goal of “delivering accessible human services that holistically address the whole person collaboratively and compassionately.” Approval of this Motion permits the County Administrator to negotiate and execute amendments to existing Agreements for emergency backup ambulance services to serve an increased number of participants.
On December 14, 2021 (Item No. 14), the Commission renewed four Agreements to provide emergency backup ambulance services between Broward County (through its Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services) and Broward Ambulance, Inc., d/b/a AMR; RG Ambulance Service, Inc., d/b/a Century Ambulance Service; National Health Transport, Inc.; and M C T Express, Inc.
On September 17, 2024 (Item No. 17), the Commission approved a new Agreement with RG Ambulance Service, Inc., to run concurrently with its Commission-awarded Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
In January 2022, a workgroup was formed to discuss the transportation needs of Broward County Public School students enrolled in an Emotional/Behavioral Disability special program who experience a behavioral health crisis and require assessment at the nearest receiving facility (as defined in Section 394.455, Florida Statutes) in Broward County. The workgroup was composed of stakeholders from across Broward County, including representatives from the Broward County Human Services Department (“HSD”), Broward County Public School District, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Inc., receiving facilities in Broward County, NAMI Broward County, Inc., the State of Florida Department of Children and Families Substance Abuse & Mental Health Office, as well as family members of students. The workgroup recommended using private transportation companies for the transportation of students to receiving facilities for assessments. HSD staff discussed with and received approval from Broward County’s Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services to amend the Agreements with the contracted ambulance providers to add these transportation services. The Commission approved this pilot on December 10, 2024 (Item No. 91).
Throughout Fiscal Year 2025, the pilot implementation team met monthly to assess the progress of the pilot. The Children’s Services Board, along with stakeholders Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Inc., Children’s Services Council, Broward County Public School District, Henderson Behavioral Health, Inc., and Broward Sheriff’s Office, continue to fully support this pilot and have recommended its expansion during Fiscal Year 2026. HSD, through its Community Partnerships Division, is requesting a rollover of $144,600 from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to expand the Baker Act Alternative Youth Transportation Program to include additional Broward County public schools and receiving facilities and allow the transport of students ages 18-21 to an appropriate adult receiving facility.
Source of Additional Information
Cassandra L. Evans, Director, Community Partnerships Division
Dr. Tiffany Hill-Howard, Children’s Services Administrator, Community Partnerships Division
Alison Zerbe, Manager - Trauma and EMS Section, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Service
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Human Services Department has requested that funds in the amount of $144,600 be appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Partnerships Division budget.