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 review and approval for legal sufficiency by the County Attorney) between Broward County and the following four private ambulance transport providers: (1) Broward Ambulance Inc. d/b/a AMR, (2) RG Ambulance Service Inc. d/b/a Century Ambulance Service, (3) National Health Transport Inc., and (4) M C T Express Inc., to increase funding in each Agreement in the amount of $37,500, totaling $150,000 increase in the aggregate, to add emergency transportation services for certain Broward County Public School students experiencing a behavioral health crisis; authorize the County Administrator to further amend the Agreements as long as such amendments do not impose additional financial obligations on the County, subject to review and approval for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney; 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
Allows the County Administrator to negotiate and execute amendments to add emergency transportation services for certain Broward County Public School students experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
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 add services to existing Agreements for emergency backup ambulance services.
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 (E/BD) 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 Broward County Human Services Department, 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 transportation of students.
The Human Services Department 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.
Approval of this agenda item allows for provision of the services in an amount of $150,000 in the aggregate, with $37,500 allocated to each provider.
Source of Additional Information
Keith D. Bostick, Deputy Director, Human Services Department
Cassandra Evans, Assistant Director, Community Partnership Division
Alison Zebre - Trauma and EMS Section, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
On October 1, 2024, the Community Partnerships Division allocated funds in the amount of $150,000 for this project.