Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Community Partnerships
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO APPROVE sole source determination for Henderson Behavioral Health, Inc. to provide crisis screening and stabilization services to adults experiencing poverty who reside in Broward County and need voluntary or involuntary intervention for mental illness under Chapter 394, Part I, Florida Statutes.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE Agreement between Broward County and Henderson Behavioral Health, Inc. in the amount of $531,000, from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, with four one-year renewal periods, to provide crisis screening and stabilization services to adults experiencing poverty who reside in Broward County and need voluntary or involuntary intervention for mental illness under Chapter 394, Part I, Florida Statutes; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement that do not impose any additional financial obligations on the County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, and to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
C. MOTION TO APPROVE waiver of conflict under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, for the following Broward County advisory board member holding an employment or contractual relationship with an entity receiving funds for the performance of services under this agenda item: Steven Ronik.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
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Why Action is Necessary
A. and B. Service provider agreements resulting from sole source determinations must be approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”), in accordance with Chapter 23, Broward County Administrative Code.
C. A waiver of conflict arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, requires two-thirds approval by the Commission.
What Action Accomplishes
Approval of Motions A and B provides for the continuation of necessary community services.
Approval of Motion C waives the existence of any conflicts arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, as authorized under applicable law.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
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Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
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.” The funds provide crisis screening and stabilization services to adults experiencing poverty who reside in Broward County and need voluntary or involuntary intervention for mental illness under Chapter 394, Part I, Florida Statutes.
Henderson Behavioral Health, Inc. (“HBH”) provides crisis screening and stabilization services to adults experiencing poverty who reside in Broward County and need voluntary or involuntary intervention for mental illness under Chapter 394, Part I, Florida Statutes. HBH’s Crisis Screening and Stabilization Unit (“CSU”) is the only 24-bed licensed psychiatric inpatient stabilization unit in Broward County that provides screening, assessment, treatment, and stabilization of those individuals experiencing a severe emotional or psychiatric crisis who require a more restrictive setting. Broward County’s prior agreement with HBH expired on September 30, 2023.
HBH continues to be the sole provider of a non-profit CSU in Broward County. On May 18, 2023, the Director of the Purchasing Division approved a sole source determination for HBH as the only provider of a non-profit CSU in Broward County (Exhibit 1). The Human Services Department is seeking Commission approval of HBH’s continued sole source designation and a new Agreement with HBH from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, with four, one-year renewal periods (Exhibit 2). The Agreement is in County’s format and has been reviewed and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney. Retroactive approval is requested due to extended rate negotiations with HBH. On September 22, 2023, rate negotiations were completed.
Approval of this item would give rise to certain employment conflicts under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, which provides that “no public officer... shall have or hold any employment or contractual relationship with any business entity... which is... doing business with an agency of which he or she is an officer or employee.” In accordance with 112.313(12), Florida Statutes, Commission approval is required to waive any conflict of interest arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes. An effective waiver requires two-thirds vote of the Commission after disclosure of the conflicting relationship (Motion C) in accordance with Section 112.313(12), Florida Statutes. Form 4A, Disclosure of Business Transaction, Relationship, or Interest, is attached to this report as Exhibit 3 and constitutes full disclosure of any existing conflict.
Source of Additional Information
Efrem Crenshaw, Director, Community Partnerships Division, (954) 357-6398
Jessica Roy, Administrator, Health Care Services, (954) 357-5394
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funds in the amount of $531,000 are allocated in HSD’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget.