Board approves Partners for Wellness outreach contract after public concern; agency says work is outreach and coalition building

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on April 9 approved an item selecting Partners for Wellness to provide outreach, education and mental-health supports for transitional-age youth. The contract was described by the Health Care Agency as focused on community education, coalition building, sober/clean activities, resource fairs and social-media campaigns to prevent substance use and promote mental health.

A public commenter identified as Kathleen urged the board not to fund the contract, contending the item amounted to marketing and questioning whether the state was the appropriate funding source. "So it is 100% state funded... Why are we giving money to payment and donate?" she asked aloud during her three-minute comment period and requested additional explanation about the evaluation panel and community members who participated in scoring.

Dr. Kelly, the Health Care Agency director, responded to the board and the public: the program emphasizes outreach to transitional-age youth (a cohort that is difficult to reach), peer-to-peer approaches and prevention, she said, and the county uses a standardized procurement evaluation tool with subject-matter experts who score lengthy proposals and examine staffing and financial viability.

Supervisor Sarmiento asked for clarification about the evaluation panel. Dr. Kelly explained the county looks for subject-matter experts (including school representatives and clinical experts), that each evaluator scores every proposal and that procurement uses those scores to make an award recommendation.

The board moved the item, seconded it and approved the contract unanimously among members present.