Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes Columbus Public Health to enter into a ten-month, $100,000.00 sole source contract with the Health Care Collaborative of Greater Columbus (HCGC) to expand Community Pathways HUB case management services provided by Community Healthcare Workers (CHW) working within Franklin County Municipal Courtroom 4C. HCGC is the only central Ohio non-profit licensed to operate the nationally endorsed Pathways Community HUB care coordination case management tool.
This sole source partnership, allows the City to increase the number of days and hours HUB Pathways trained CHWs are onsite in Franklin County Municipal Court. CHWs provide guided case management services to individuals enrolled in the City Attorney’s Misdemeanor Diversion program.
The Columbus City Attorney’s Misdemeanor Diversion program launched in 2019. Through this first of its kind effort, individuals summoned to court for misdemeanor theft crimes have the opportunity for diversion. In lieu of criminal charges and traditional justice response, these individuals work with Community Health Worker (CHWs) to develop tailored cases plans linking them with physical health, behavioral health, basic needs, job preparedness and/or other supports. CHWs then guide individuals in achieving case plan goals. If goals outlined in case plans are met, criminal charges are dropped. With the addition of two CHWs, we have the opportunity to expand program eligibility for diversion to individuals summoned to court for any non-violent misdemeanor charge. We anticipate reaching a minimum of 195 justice-involved individuals in the contract period.
Through this contract, HCGC will:
§ Work within the HCGC network of Care Coordination Agencies to identify three HUB Pathways trained Community Health Care Workers with relevant background and experience for working with justice-involved individuals.
§ Work through Care Coordinating Agencies to ensure selected CHWs are linked with the City Prosecution Office for training on Misdemeanor Diversion program and access to court-based work space.
§ Work through Care Coordinating Agencies to ensure CHWs assigned to the diversion program are in court on scheduled days/times prepared to work with program participants. If there is a change in CHW staff, work with network of Care Coordination Agencies to quickly identify a replacement minimizing disruption of service though the duration of the contract period.
§ Maintain CHW timesheets on file reflecting hours dedicated to care coordination services for the Misdemeanor Diversion program- timesheets to include date, hours worked and signature of supervisor.
§ Work through Care Coordinating Agencies to ensure CHWs receive direct supervision support, ongoing professional development on trauma informed care methods and support services available to HUB participants.
§ Pay Care Coordination System licensing fees for CHW staff supporting Misdemeanor Diversion program.
§ Oversee administrative, security and billing responsibilities for cloud-based Pathways Community HUB tool.
§ Provide monthly, aggregate data reports to CPH and City Prosecution Office on HUB Pathways opened and milestones achieved within each Pathway.
§ Provide a data summary for the full contract period.
§ Provide CPH with access to de-identified raw data on HUB Pathways/service provided. Data transfer schedule TBD.
Fiscal Impact: Contract services are fully supported though a U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) grant awarded to Columbus Public Health, Ordinance number 2883-2018.
Emergency action is requested so Public Health can work with HCGC and the City Prosecution Unit to immediately increase access to HUB Pathways services and expand Misdemeanor Diversion opportunities.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a $100,000.00 sole source contract with the Health Care Collaborative of Greater Columbus (HCGC) for the period of December 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021; to expand case management services provided through the Columbus City Attorney’s Misdemeanor Diversion program; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 in U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs grant funds from Columbus Public Health to the Health Care Collaborative of Greater Columbus Council; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health received permission to use BJA COAP funds to enter into a sole source contract with Health Care Collaborative of Greater Columbus (HCGC) to expand case management services provided by HCGC Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) in Franklin County Municipal Court; and
WHEREAS, HCGC CHWs use the Pathways Community HUB tool to develop and track progress on tailored case plans for individuals enrolled in the City Attorney’s Misdemeanor Diversion program; and
WHEREAS, HCGC partners with network of six Care Coordinating Agencies employing over thirty Community Health Workers trained in guided case management using Pathways Community HUB tool;
WHEREAS, HCGC is the only central Ohio non-profit licensed to operate the nationally endorsed Pathways Community HUB care coordination case management tool and supports a network of licenses HUB CHWs; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a sole source contract Health Care Collaborative of Greater Columbus as quickly as possible so Columbus Public Health can work with the City Prosecution Unit to immediately assign HUB CHWs for expansion of the Misdemeanor Diversion program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Health Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the department to enter into a contract for services and establish a purchase order with Health Care Collaborative of Greater Columbus to immediately increase access to HUB Pathways services and expand Misdemeanor Diversion opportunities, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1.That Columbus Public Health is hereby authorized to enter into a sole source contract and establish a purchase order with Health Care Collaborative of Greater Columbus.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary in regard to the actions authorized in SECTION 1, be and is hereby authorized and approved according to the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the monies in the foregoing SECTION 2 shall be paid upon order of the Columbus Public Health Fiscal Manager and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. That the establishment of this sole source contract is authorized pursuant to Columbus City Code, Chapter 329.
SECTION 8. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part thereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after the passage if the Mayor neither approve nor vetoes the same.