Agenda Item   

AGENDA STAFF REPORT

 

                                                                                                                        ASR Control  13-001606

 

MEETING DATE:

01/28/14

legal entity taking action:

Board of Supervisors

board of supervisors district(s):

All Districts

SUBMITTING Agency/Department:

Social Services Agency   (Approved)

Department contact person(s):

Dianne Breault (714) 541-7408 

 

 

Gary Taylor (714) 541-7793

 

 

Subject:  Funding for Drug Patch Testing Services

 

      ceo Concur

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

Concur

N/A

Consent Calendar

 

 

3 Votes Board Majority

 

 

 

    Budgeted: Yes

Current Year Cost: $225,000

Annual Cost: N/A

 

 

 

    Staffing Impact: No

# of Positions:

Sole Source: No

    Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

  Funding Source: FED: 5.3%, State: 79.9%, Wraparound:  14.8%

County Audit in last 3 years No

 

Year of Audit

    Prior Board Action: 5/7/2013 #41; 5/22/12 #36

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

 

Approve additional expenditures for services provided under Subordinate Agreements, executed by the Social Services Agency Director under Master Agreement Number CDB0513, in an amount not to exceed $225,000, for the period of January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

Approval of the additional expenditures for Drug Patch Testing Services will enable the Social Services Agency (SSA) to continue providing court ordered drug patch testing services for clients to demonstrate sobriety compliance as part of their court ordered family reunification or family maintenance case plan.

 

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

 

 

On May 7, 2013, your Board approved a three (3) year Master Agreement for the provision of Drug Patch Testing Services for the term of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016.  Your Board also approved expenditures not to exceed $100,000 for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.   Cost is exceeding the amount originally approved for this program.  To meet the Orange County Juvenile Court’s increased demand for clients receiving child protective services to participate in court ordered drug patch testing services, SSA is returning to your Board to request approval of additional expenditures, in an amount not to exceed $225,000 for the period of January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.  If approved, total funding for FY 2013-14 would be $325,000.

 

Drug patch testing consists of a specialized bandage being affixed to a client’s skin for the purpose of detecting substance abuse.  The drug patch is worn by the client for one week and absorbs ingested substances at a molecular level through the client’s perspiration.   A new patch is applied each week. After the drug patch is removed, it is analyzed for substance abuse by a laboratory certified by the drug patch manufacturer.   Clients are initially enrolled in the program for a six-month period and may be ordered to continue testing beyond the initial six month service period. 

 

During FY 2013-14, the cost paid by SSA for each completed drug patch test is $50.00.  Based upon information available at the time regarding historical usage and demand, SSA estimated $100,000 for the first year of the agreement.  However, the number of clients court ordered to participate began to surge in July, resulting in increased expenses.  Juvenile Court bench officers have increased ordering clients to participate in drug patch testing services for a variety of reasons.  Common reasons include opinions that the drug patch is a superior deterrent compared to random urine testing, it offers a lower threshold of substance detection, provides less opportunity for deception on part of the client, and is more convenient for clients who have transportation and/or child care issues. 

 

As shown in the tables below, the number of clients being court ordered to participate in services, drug patches being applied and actual expenses have been steadily rising since July 2013.  Based upon the upward trajectory of the data, which SSA expects will continue to rise, SSA projects an additional $225,000 is required to meet the demand during the period of January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. 

 

New Clients Court Ordered to Participate in Drug Patch Testing Services in 2013

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

16

6

11

16

7

5

28

27

46

44

38

33

 

Actual Drug Patches Analyzed in 2013

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

137

110

173

159

174

203

234

212

240

323

371

406

                      

Actual Expenses in 2013

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

$6,576

$5,280

$8,304

$7,632

$8,352

$9,744

 

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

$11,700

$10,600

$12,000

$16,150

$18,550

$20,300

 

Projected Expenses January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

$27,000

$31,000

$35,000

$39,000

$44,000

$49,000

                           

 

Outcomes

Between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013, 188 duplicated clients participated in court-ordered for drug patch testing services, for a total of 1,723 patches applied (average 144/month).   1,580 patches, or 91.7%, tested negative.  For the period of July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, the monthly average number of patches applied was 298.

 

Contingency of Funds

Prior to the execution of all Subordinate Agreements, contractors will be made aware that funding or portions of funding for this Master Agreement may be contingent upon the State budget; receipt of funds from and/or obligations of funds by, the State to the County; and inclusion of sufficient funding for the services hereunder in the budget approved by the County's Board of Supervisors for each fiscal year covered by this Master Agreement.  If such approval, funding or appropriations are not forthcoming, or are otherwise limited, the Master Agreement in this agenda report contains language which permits the County to immediately terminate, reduce, or modify the Master Agreement without penalty.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

This service is funded by 5.3% Federal, 79.9% State, and 14.8% Wraparound (60% County; 40% State).  CWS program allocation funding is comprised of Federal and State dollars. Wraparound savings are comprised of State and County dollars and can only be reinvested in children's programs. 

 

 

 

STAFFING IMPACT:

 

N/A