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Authorizing an Agreement with the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc (IRIS - Integrated Referral and Information System) and the Use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and for the Kane County Health Department ARPA Behavioral Health System Improvement Initiative
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WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has enacted the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) to provide economic relief to State, Local, and Tribal governments responding to economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the County of Kane has received a total of $103,413,041 (One Hundred Three Million, Four Hundred Thirteen Thousand, Forty-One Dollars) from the United States Department of the Treasury, in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) pursuant to ARPA; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to ARPA and the administrative regulations adopted by the United States Department of the Treasury (“Final Rule”), the County of Kane shall use SLFRF to defray costs associated with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic within the County, to address the economic fallout from the pandemic, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-313, the Kane County Board has established the American Rescue Plan Committee (“ARPC”) as a resource for research, education, planning, and recommendations for the best allocation and uses of the County’s SLFRF; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-156, the Kane County Board approved the recommended Spending Plan as proposed by the ARPC, which designates $42,000,000 (Forty-Two Million Dollars) to be used for Kane County Department and Elected Office project requests; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 23-497, the Kane County Board authorized the use of $9,975,000 (Nine Million Nine Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars) in SLFRF to fund the Addressing Behavioral Health Needs of Kane County Residents project (“Project”) for the Kane County Health Department; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Health Department desires to us $30,157.00 (Thirty Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars) of SLFRF to fund, as part of the Project, an agreement (Exhibit A) to utilize the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc IRIS system that was implemented in Kane County by the Kane County Health Department in 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Health Department manages the IRIS system as a vital service to Kane County residents as of 2024, over 200 community organizations (providers) use the HIPAA-compliant tool to send and receive referrals on behalf of community members to connect them with behavioral health and related services in an efficient way; and
WHEREAS, the mental health impact of the pandemic has been well documented. The National Institutes of Health point to a 2021 study which showed almost half of all Americans reported recent symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder with 10% reporting that their mental health needs were not being met. Rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, overdose, suicidal ideation, community violence and suicide all increased during the pandemic. The growing burden from behavioral health conditions is causing significant strain on American lives and communities. Even before COVID-19, approximately one in four Americans had a mental illness or substance use disorder. Then the traumatic nature of COVID-19 and prolonged social isolation, the ensuing economic constriction, and social and political issues continue to increase the prevalence of behavioral health conditions. Providing IRIS as a tool to community provider organizations at no cost to them allows them to efficiently connect community members with the services they need to improve behavioral health outcomes is an essential part of a strong and connected behavioral health system of care; and
WHEREAS, the agreement between the Kane County Health Department and the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc will be for two (2) years ending on August 31, 2026, and costing $30,157.00 (Thirty Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars) as part of the Kane Health Department’s Project; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Health Department and the Kane County Purchasing Department have indicated that this is a purchase not suitable for competitive bid, pursuant to section 2-216(E) of the Kane County Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Kane County Board that the Executive Director of the Kane County Health Department is authorized to execute the attached agreement, subject to the review and advisement of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kane County Board hereby authorizes the Kane County Health Department’s use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Association to fund the agreement to utilize the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc IRIS system, in the amount of $30,157.00 (Thirty Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars) for the Project, in accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Final Rule, and related guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, and any other Federal, State or local laws and regulations.
Passed by the Kane County Board on December 10, 2024.
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John A. Cunningham, MBA, JD, JD Corinne M. Pierog MA, MBA
Clerk, County Board Chairman, County Board
Kane County, Illinois Kane County, Illinois
Vote: