The contracted dollar amounts are based on estimates of program costs and/or utilization during prior periods. Funding for each contract is provided for within service categories in the Human Services & Public Health Department and Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation approved annual budgets. Occasionally new services are implemented which are not in the budget, but which are fully funded under state or federal grants or other new funding.

Contracts include services in the following areas: adult mental health; developmental disabilities; chemical health; adult housing; early intervention and family intervention services, interpreter services, health services, welfare advocacy, and various other human services. Expectations for ongoing outcome measurement are included in all new, renewal, or extended contracts. Outcome measures, which are developed by the county and contracted providers, assess the effectiveness of a service and its impact on an eligible recipient’s condition or functioning level. Outcome information is used to modify or improve programs as well as to evaluate effectiveness of different types of intervention and providers. A detailed listing of the specific actions requested by this BAR and an explanation of all unusual items is reflected in the summary of the report.