REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 21, 2017
FROM: JEFF CARDELL, Director
Personnel Services Department
BY: JENNIFER MISNER, HR Manager
Personnel Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve agreement between the City of Fresno and Avante Behavioral Health to provide an Employee Assistance Program to City of Fresno Employees for $105,691
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Agreement between the City of Fresno and Avante Behavioral Health and authorize the Personnel Services Director to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City retroactive to September 1, 2017.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City provides the services of an Employee Assistance Program to its employees and eligible family members to help employees and their families identify, assess, and resolve issues affecting their personal life and/or their job performance. As a result of a Request for Proposals it is proposed that we retain the current local vendor for an additional three years.
BACKGROUND
For many years the City has contracted to provide the services of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to City employees and their eligible family members as a valuable component of the employee benefits program. The EAP offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees and eligible family members who have personal and/or work-related problems. When a longer term solution is needed, the EAP staff refers the individual to the City’s provider of mental health and substance abuse care under the Fresno City Employees Health and Welfare Trust to ensure continuity of care.
In July, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking proposals for an EAP as the current agreement is due to expire. Seven responses were received. A committee of four City employees reviewed the responses and three top firms were selected for further consideration. After meeting with these three it was determined that Avante Behavioral Health, the current provider, was the best choice. Not only was Avante’s bid the lowest, they are a local Fresno company and they served the City and its employees well over the last six years.
Avante Behavioral Health will provide three visits per issue per member every six months, four educational sessions per year and unlimited critical incident debriefing sessions and management consultations at a cost of $0.85 per member per month. Their rate reflects the lowest per member per month charge and includes a three year rate guarantee and the opportunity to extend on a year for year basis up to an additional three years.
The Scope of Services provided in this agreement include the following: EAP clinical counseling to provide immediate, short-term assistance for employees facing a variety of issues; limited telephonic consultation; employee workshops regarding a variety of issues pertinent to the workplace as well as work/life balance; Supervisor/Manager support that focuses on the identification of effective resources and approaches for issues affecting work performance; and critical incident debiefing in the event of a disaster, workplace violence or coworker death.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a “project” as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply but, Avante Behavioral Health is a local business.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the agreement over three (3) years is not to exceed $105,691. This agreement does not require any additional appropriations. The Personnel Services Department budgets for this expense on an annual basis in the employee benefits section of the department budget.
Attachment:
Consultant Services Agreement