HomeMy WebLinkAboutOTHER-2024-056-Mobile Crisis Team Pilot (CARE) with Alliance Healthcare Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN ORANGE COUNTY
AND ALLIANCE HEALTH
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into June 1,2024,by and between the COUNTY OF ORANGE
(hereinafter referred to as the "County") and ALLIANCE HEALTH, a political subdivision of the state
of North Carolina and a Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization as those term is defined in
NCGS 122C-3 (hereinafter referred to as"Alliance")collectively referred to as the Parties.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,Orange County in collaboration with the Chapel Hill Police Department,is conducting
a two-year Mobile Crisis Pilot program with the mission to provide a more appropriate response to certain
911 calls. The Crisis Assistance,Response and Engagement(CARE)Team(referred to herein as"Team").
The unarmed Team will respond immediately in lieu of law enforcement to behavioral health and low level,
non-violent offense 911 calls as designated by the Chapel Hill Police Department and 911 Call Center. The
program seeks to increase therapeutic interventions and direction to resources while ensuring the safest and
best immediate response;; and
WHEREAS,the two-year pilot phase will initially serve only Chapel Hill with an Evaluation of the
Pilot being conducted by UNC's School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab funded by the
Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County Government. The goal is to launch the program with all law
enforcement agencies county-wide in 2026; and
WHEREAS,Alliance has agreed to provide funding for the program to operate as of June 1,2024
and beyond. Several counties within the Alliance region are re-evaluating the best way to deliver more
impactful mobile crisis. This pilot will inform the direction for each of our counties and findings will be
available to share with the State any interested county within the state.
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of mutual covenants herein and the mutual benefits
to result therefrom,the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. FUNDING. Alliance shall provide to the County funding in the amount of Two Hundred
Twenty-Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars($229,500.00)for the startup funding in FY 2024,and Three
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars for FY 2025 ($350,000.00) (hereinafter referred to as the "Funds") to
support staffing of the Team,training,and additional equipment and supplies the 2024-2025 fiscal year. If
the Funds are not exhausted by June 30, 2025, and the remaining funds are still available,the County may
submit a written request to Alliance for approval to use the remaining balance for the fiscal year beginning
July 1,2025.A portion of this funding has been allocated by DHHS and is subject to Allocation Letter 24-
A-83, incorporated herein by reference thereto.
SECTION 2.USE OF FUNDS. The Funds shall be used exclusively for Qualified Expenses of the Team
program outlined in Attachment 1, Scope of Work and corresponding Budget provided to and approved by
Alliance. The County shall promptly return, without the necessity of a request from Alliance, any portion
of the Funds not used for such purpose or submit a written request to Alliance to utilize the remaining
balance as described above in Section 1. Funding. No substantial changes in the purposes, term or
conditions may be made without a prior written amendment to this Agreement. In the event it is determined
by Alliance,that the County expended any amount of Funds in violation of the funding requirements or this
Agreement,the County shall be required to return that amount of money to Alliance. The implementation
of this Agreement and CARE shall be carried out in strict compliance with all Federal,State,and local laws.
Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
SECTION 3. PAYMENT OF FUNDS. Alliance will reimburse the County for Qualified Expenses
incurred. The County must submit a completed Alliance Non-UCR Invoice Template that lists Qualified
Expenses and supporting documentation. Supporting documentation includes,but is not limited to,receipts
of purchases, itemized invoices and other documentation on how the expense is related to the deliverable.
If proper supporting documentation is not provided with the Invoice Template, further payments may be
withheld. See Attachment 2: Alliance Non-UCR Invoice Template.
a) Provider shall prepare and submit the Invoice for payment to:
accountspayable(d),alliancehealthplan.org,unless otherwise directed by Alliance.
b) Electronic reporting must be submitted in accordance with the privacy and security
requirements set forth in Section 16—Confidentiality.
c) All payments of Funds will be made via electronic funds transfer within 30 days of invoice
approval.
SECTION 4.TERM. The term of this Agreement shall begin June 1,2024,and end the earlier of June 30,
2025, or upon expenditure of all of the Funds.If the Funds are not completely expended by June 30,2025,
then the Term of this Agreement shall automatically extend until all Funds have been exhausted. (the
"Term"
SECTION 5. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated immediately, for cause, by the
nonbreaching party notifying the breaching party in writing of a failure to perform the provisions of this
Agreement. This Agreement may also be terminated immediately by Alliance if the Funds are no longer
available to Alliance. The termination shall be effective upon receipt of the notice of termination. Upon
such termination,the parties shall be entitled to such additional rights and remedies as may be allowed by
relevant law.
SECTION 6.REPORTING. Reporting requirements are set forth in Attachment 1, Scope of Work.
SECTION 7.NO WARRANTY BY ALLIANCE: Alliance makes no warranty,either express or implied,
that the Funds are or will be sufficient to pay all or any particular portion of the cost of the CARE program
or permit the programs successful completion.
SECTION 8. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may be amended at any time upon mutual written
agreement of Alliance and the County.
SECTION 9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and in accordance with the
laws of the State of North Carolina. All actions relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought in
the General Court of Justice in the County of Wake and the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 10.NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES: This Agreement is not intended for the benefit
of any third party. The rights and obligations contained herein belong exclusively to the parties hereto and
shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties hereto.
SECTION 11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This Agreement together with the agreements referenced in this
Agreement, shall constitute the entire understanding between Alliance and the County and shall supersede
all prior understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof.
SECTION 12. SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this Agreement is adjudged to be
unenforceable or found invalid, such provision shall be stricken and the remaining provisions shall be valid
and enforceable.
Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
SECTION 13. NOTICE. Any and all notices, designations, consents, offers, acceptances, or any other
communications provided for herein shall be given in writing by registered or certified mail,return receipt
requested, to the respective Parties at the addresses listed below, unless each party has notified the others
of a different address by means of the notification formalities described in this paragraph.
If to Alliance Health: Attention: Robert Robinson, CEO
5200 West Paramount Parkway, Suite 200
Morrisville,North Carolina 27560
If to Orange County: Attention: Bonnie Hammersley, Orange County Manager
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough,North Carolina 27278
SECTION 14.AUDIT RIGHTS. For all Services being provided hereunder,Alliance shall have the right
to inspect, examine, and make copies of any and all books, accounts, invoices, records and other writings
relating to the performance of the Services identified in this contract. Audits shall take place at times and
locations mutually agreed upon by both parties.Notwithstanding the foregoing,the County must make the
materials to be audited available within two(2)weeks of the request for them.
SECTION 15. NON-DISCRIMINATION - EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF PARTICIPANTS. The
County shall not discriminate in their treatment ofparticipants in the CARE program based on participants'health
status,source of payment,cost of treatment or participation in a health benefit plan,genetic information,or
ethnicity. Further, the County agrees that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning (LGBTQ)
participants who obtain covered services shall not be subject to treatment or bias that does not affirm the
member's identifying orientation.
SECTION 16. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Parties hereto agree to comply with any and all applicable
laws and regulations concerning the confidentiality of participant records, files, or communications in
addition to the terms of this Agreement.All parties agree to secure privacy,confidentiality,and integrity of
participant, employee, and administrative data. Electronic exchange of confidential information of any
email,which will include invoices, customer billing information, and any other information regarding the
service delivery of the customer,must be sent and received via encrypted methods.
Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Alliance and County have authorized this Agreement to be executed and
attested by their undersigned officers,to be effective from and after the date first written above.
COUNTY OF ORANGE
F(DocuSigned by:
VG7/29/2024 3:26 PM EDT
iwV g@n,bepartment Director, CJRD Date
FWDC"�
ocuSigned by:
P-�O�g�'.oh, 7/30/2024 9:18 AM EDT
4D'0Tta4d9bn, Chief Financial Officer Date
5ocuSigned by:
6'�lL I�OI��.V 7/30/2024 9:39 AM EDT
R~V,40range County Attorney Date
DocuSigned by:
ryq S rut 7/30/2024 2:50 PM EDT
County Manager Date
Travis Myren
ALLIANCE HEALTH
DocuSigned by:
r6bu f r6bi 's6vu 7/29/2024 3:22 PM EDT
kab&€R615MiNdn, CEO or Designee Date
This instrument has been pre-audited
in the manner required by the
Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.
DocuSigned by:
7/27/2024 10:38 PM EDT
A bwf&8HRMEFinance Officer(or Designee) Date
Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
Attachment 1
Scope of Work
Name of Program/Services
Orange County Crisis Assistance,Response and Engagement(CARE)Team PILOT
Descriution of use of funds:
The CARE team is a joint collaboration between Orange County and the Chapel Hill Police Department
and will launch in Fiscal Year 2025. In the 2-year pilot phase, it will only serve Chapel Hill, but with an
Evaluation being conducted of the Pilot by UNC's School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab,
the goal is to launch it county-wide with all law enforcement agencies in in 2026.The CARE Team will be
comprised of a 3-member mobile response team: a crisis counselor, a peer support specialist and an EMT.
In addition, a crisis counselor embedded in the 911 Call Center will be the 4' member of the team. The
mission is to provide a more appropriate response to certain 911 calls. This will also increase therapeutic
interventions and direction to resources while ensuring the safest and best immediate response.
Required Elements of the Program/Service
The Care Team must:
• Respond immediately in lieu of law enforcement to behavioral health and low level, non-violent
offense 911 calls as designated by the Chapel Hill Police Department and 911 Call Center.
• During the Pilot,the CARE Team is restricted to Chapel Hill crisis calls.
• After the Pilot is expanded, the CARE team will be available to all county crisis calls that fit the
CARE team criteria.
• Crisis response must include an EMT, Crisis Counselor and peer support specialist.
• Harm reduction education and supplies will be provided.
• Transportation and Referrals can be made to other services and supports.
• Follow up engagement will be included.
• educate the community and other local providers about their services.
• participate in local Alliance Crisis Collaboratives.
• respond to Chapel Hill crisis calls no matter the individuals county of residence or payer source
and serve individuals of all ages presenting with MH/SU/IDD and/or TBI.
Collaboration
• Supervision of the staff for the Pilot will be provided by the Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis
Unit and EMS Town of Chapel Hill
• Orange County: Emergency Services and CJRD
• Alliance Health
• UNC School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab
Where there is exchange of PHI or ePHI as a part of the services delivered, the Care Team shall
obtain a release of information from the individual and/or legally responsible person.
Business Associate Agreements will be executed if deemed necessary.
Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
Outcome Data
In the 2-year pilot phase, program evaluation of the Pilot will be conducted by UNC's School of
Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab. Pilot data will be used to determine the comparative cost
savings and utilization of resources as compared to Mobile Crisis Management billing in cases where that
service could have occurred, as well as to identify barriers that would need to be overcome in service
provision. The goal is to launch this program county-wide with all law enforcement agencies in in 2026.
Reporting Requirements
The data collection is critical to UNC School of Government's Evaluation, as well as to Orange County
and the Town of Chapel Hill. Regular data reports will be completed utilizing the Alliance Health
Enhanced Mobile Crisis Report template.
The Alliance Health Enhanced Mobile Crisis Report template will be due to DHHS monthly by the 15th
of the next month. This information should be collected for Medicaid and non-Medicaid individuals. This
report will include information such as,but not limited to:
o#of calls answered by the 911 crisis counselor
o#of face to face visits initiated by the 911 call
o Reason for call/visit
o Age
o CNDS ID
o Referral Source
o County of residence
o Insurance
o Arrival date/time
o Discharge date/time
o Disposition
o IVC Initiation
o Need for transport to an ED(medical vs acuity)
A quarterly report will be provided to DHHS outlining the progress toward operations of the service.
Reports to include summary of:
o Programmatic design planning
o Programmatic updates(staffing, operations,contracting etc.)
o Risks/barriers
Quarterly reports are expected to be delivered to DHHS by the 15th of the Month following the quarter
Quarter 1: July—September,Due October 15th
Quarter 2: October—December,Due January 15th
Quarter 3: January—March,Due April 15th
Quarter 4: April—June,Due July 15
Annual Report Due August 15
Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
Finance:
FY 2024: Start-up costs of $142,000, and $87,500 in start-up operational staffing costs for a total of
$229,500 in non-UCR funding, subject to DHHS Allocation Letter 24-A-83, incorporated herein by
reference.
• Non-UCR funding will allow time to determine the level of potentially billable service,and ensure
service delivery can work within the confines of Care Team criteria as designated by the Chapel
Hill Police Department and 911 Call Center, as well as eligibility levels of service recipients.
FY 2025: $350,000 annual operating costs. UCR vs.Non-UCR to be determined.
Oualified Expenses:
Start-up costs for the CARE may include equipment,vehicle lease for duration of the pilot(not purchase),
uniforms, and UNC School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab Evaluation. Partial annual
funding costs needed to support CARE may include salary and benefits for EMT,Mobile Crisis Counselor,
and Peer Support Specialist, training, harm reduction supplies, medical supplies and client needs, and gas
and vehicle maintenance.The County may submit a request in writing to Alliance for consideration of other
expenses not listed above.
Docusign Envelope ID:71778BFC-F7B2-426B-8F61-70796D485903
Attachment 2
Alliance Non-UCR Invoice Template
Download the Alliance Non-UCR Invoice Template:
https://www.alliancehealthplan.org/resources/document-librgu/
Please reference the assigned Alliance Health Project ID Number(see below)when submitting invoices.
Contract Number: 24-0216
Project ID Number: SST24-01-0259
Start Date: June 1,2024
Completion Date: June 30,2025,unless extended by Alliance.