Agenda Item   

AGENDA STAFF REPORT

 

                                                                                                                        ASR Control  25-000706

 

MEETING DATE:

04/14/26

legal entity taking action:

Board of Supervisors

board of supervisors district(s):

3

SUBMITTING Agency/Department:

Health Care Agency   (Approved)

Department contact person(s):

Veronica Kelley (714) 834-7024 

 

 

Ian Kemmer (714) 834-2160

 

 

Subject:  Approve Contract for Substance Use Disorder Services

 

     ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

          Concur

Approved Agreement to Form

Discussion

 

 

3 Votes Board Majority

 

 

 

    Budgeted: N/A

Current Year Cost:  N/A

Annual Cost: FY 2026-27 $4,200,000
FY 2027-28 $4,200,000
FY 2028-29 $4,200,000

 

 

 

    Staffing Impact:

No

# of Positions:           

Sole Source:   No

    Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

   Funding Source:    See Financial Impact Section

County Audit in last 3 years: No

   Levine Act Review Completed: Yes

 

    Prior Board Action:         N/A

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

 

 

1.

Approve Contract with Clean Path Recovery LLC for the provision of Substance Use Disorder Services, for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, in an amount not to exceed $12,600,000, renewable for two additional one-year terms.

 

2.

Pursuant to Contract Policy Manual Section 3.3-113, authorize the County Procurement Officer or Deputized designee to exercise a contingency contract cost increase in an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the contract amount for the first year of the contract, for the entire term of the Contract, including renewals, and within the scope of work set forth in the contract. The use of this contingency contract cost increase is subject to approval requirements established by the County Procurement Officer.

 

3.

Authorize County Procurement Officer or Deputized designee to execute the Contract with Clean Path Recovery LLC, as referenced in the Recommended Actions Above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

Approval of the Contract with Clean Path Recovery LLC, for Substance Use Disorder Services will address critical gaps in Orange County’s behavioral health system and ensure that pregnant and parenting individuals, as well as adolescents struggling with substance use disorders, have local, specialized care that promotes recovery, family stability, and long-term health outcomes.

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

 

The Health Care Agency (HCA) is requesting the Honorable Board of Supervisors (Board) approve the contract with Clean Path Recovery LLC (Clean Path) to provide Substance Use Disorder Services at HCA’s Irvine campus. The programs will serve pregnant and parenting individuals and adolescents who require structured, residential care.

 

Currently, Orange County has limited residential substance use treatment options for pregnant and parenting individuals and no residential treatment program for adolescent males within county boundaries. This limited availability often results in delays in care or placement outside the county, which can disrupt family involvement and continuity of treatment. Approval of the contract will expand local treatment capacity.

 

Request for Proposal

On May 12, 2025, HCA released a Request for Proposal (RFP) through the County’s online bidding system to solicit providers for two substance use disorder programs:

 

Program One: Perinatal and Parenting Residential Treatment and Withdrawal Management Services

Program Two: Adolescent Residential Treatment and Withdrawal Management Services

 

The RFP anticipated awarding one contract for each program. A total of five proposals were received: three for Program One and two for Program Two. Proposals were submitted by Clean Path Recovery LLC, Phoenix House Orange County, Inc., and The Teen Project, Inc., and no protests were received. HCA recommends awarding one contract to Clean Path for both programs. The Orange County Preference Policy applied to this solicitation.

 

Proposal Evaluation Process

The evaluation panel was comprised of five subject matter experts: two County staff with subject matter expertise, and three members of the public with subject matter expertise. Evaluation panel participants independently rated the proposals using established criteria and possible maximum points of 1000.

 

Respondent 

Average Score  

Program One

Clean Path Recovery LLC  

923.41

Phoenix House Orange County, Inc. 

855.00 

The Teen Project, Inc. 

763.33 

Program Two

Clean Path Recovery LLC 

924.75 

Phoenix House Orange County, Inc.  

864.00 

 

HCA staff have conducted due diligence on Clean Path, and reference checks have been confirmed satisfactory with Kroesche Schindler LLP, Orange County Sheriff's Department, and Mitch Cherness, Behavior Health Consultant-and Housing Specialist.

 

Scope of Services

Clean Path will operate two specialized residential substance use treatment programs at HCA’s Irvine campus. These programs are designed for individuals who require a structured, supervised environment to safely begin recovery and stabilize their health.

 

Program One will serve pregnant and parenting individuals, a population with complex medical, emotional, and family-related needs. Substance use during pregnancy and early parenting can pose serious risks to both parent and child. This program provides a safe and supportive setting where clients can focus on recovery while receiving care that supports healthy pregnancies, parenting stability, and family well-being. Children up to age twelve can live on premises with their mothers while they receive treatment.

 

Program Two will serve adolescents ages 12 through 17, a group that requires developmentally appropriate treatment delivered in a structured and secure environment. Adolescents with substance use challenges often have co-occurring behavioral, educational, and family needs. This program is designed to help youth stabilize, develop healthy coping skills, and re-engage with school, family, and community support.

 

Both programs will provide medically appropriate, evidence-based residential treatment for individuals whose needs cannot be safely met through outpatient services alone. Program One will have 24 treatment beds for mothers along with cribs and additional beds for children. Program Two will have 17 treatment beds for adolescent females and 17 treatment beds for adolescent males. Length of stay for both programs will be based on assessed medical necessity for residential treatment level of care.  

 

Withdrawal management services are a core part of both programs. Clients who need help safely stopping substance use will receive medically supervised withdrawal management, including continuous monitoring and clinical oversight to protect health and safety. When appropriate, clients may transition directly from withdrawal management into residential treatment, allowing for uninterrupted care and reducing the risk of relapse.

 

These services are designed to stabilize individuals during a critical period, reduce the risk of harm, and support long-term recovery by ensuring clients leave treatment connected to ongoing care in the community.

 

Performance Outcomes

The following performance outcomes have been established to measure the effectiveness and continuity of care for both programs. These outcomes will measure client engagement, treatment completion, and successful linkage to appropriate levels of care following discharge.

 

At least 70 percent of all enrolled clients will complete residential treatment, making satisfactory progress at the time of discharge.

At least 50 percent of all clients who have been discharged will be linked to an appropriate level of care within 30 calendar days of discharge.

 

The scope of work and services outlined in the Contract are in alignment with the Homeless Pillars' best practices, guiding principles and commitments as detailed in the Homeless Service System Pillar Report. The Housing and Outreach and Supportive Services Pillar will be required for delivery of these services.

 

HCA verified there are no concerns that must be addressed with respect to the Contractor’s ownership/name, litigation status or conflicts with County interest. Existing litigation does not impede the statement of work as outlined by the County under the contract nor adversely impact the County.

 

This Contract does not include subcontractors. See Attachment B for the Contract Summary Form.

 

HCA requests the Board approve the Contract with Clean Path for Substance Use Disorder Services, as referenced in the Recommended Actions above.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

Appropriations for this Contract will be included in Budget Control 042 FY 2026-27 Budget and in the budgeting process for future years. 

 

The proposed Contract includes provisions allowing HCA to terminate the Contract, reduce the level of services, and/or renegotiate the levels of services provided, as necessary. This includes a notice that allows HCA adequate time to transition or terminate services to clients, if necessary.

 

Funding Sources:

 

Fees & Other: 50% (Drug Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation)

Fed: 45% (Substance Use Prevention Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant)

State: 5% (Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund)

 

 

 

STAFFING IMPACT:

 

An analysis was completed to verify the contract provides the County with persons specially trained, experienced, expert and competent to perform the special services in accordance with the law.

 

 

 

REVIEWING AGENCIES:

 

Office of Care Coordination

 

ATTACHMENT(S):

 

Attachment A - Contract MA-042-25011555 for Substance Use Disorder Services with Clean Path Recovery LLC
Attachment B - Contract Summary Form
Attachment C - Scoring Sheets