TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services
REPORT BY: Summer Isham, Contracts Supervisor
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 170735B with James Richard Geisler, Ph.D.
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Health and Human Services requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 170735B with James Richard Geisler, Ph.D., for a new annual maximum of $30,000 for the term July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, and each automatic renewal thereof, for the provision of psychological evaluations to specifically referred clients of the Child Welfare Services (CWS) program of its Health and Human Services Agency.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of today’s requested action is to increase the contract maximum of the Agreement by $10,000 for a new maximum of $30,000 for the term July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, and each automatic renewal thereof, in order to reflect the increase in the number of referrals to Dr. Geisler for psychological evaluations.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Health & Human Services, Child Welfare Services |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Although court-ordered psychological evaluations and counseling services are mandatory, the selection of the contractor is discretionary. Approval of this amendment will increase the contract maximum to enable the contractor to provide additional psychological evaluation services in the County's Child Welfare Services programs. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The Agreement contains a provision for automatic annual renewal. Appropriations have been included in the approved Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget and future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If the amendment is not approved, the contractor will be unable to provide additional court-ordered psychological evaluation services in the County's Child Welfare Services programs. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Dr. Geisler is a psychologist who has lengthy experience performing psychological evaluations of adults and testifying in court on criminal matters. This same level of expertise is required in juvenile dependency matters. The court orders psychological evaluations to be used in the court's decisions regarding the removal of children from their parents and to determine appropriate services for the parent to be ordered by the judge. There are very few psychologists who can provide these evaluations in Napa County. In some matters, such as adoption determinations, the court requires that two psychologists independently perform psychological evaluations on the parent due to the seriousness of permanently severing the parent-child relationship.
Approval of the amendment increases the contract maximum amount due to an increase in the number of referrals this fiscal year.
Dr. Geisler is a local vendor.