Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to execute Agreement between Broward County and Dr. Jason Allen Schulman, subject to approval of same by the Office of the County Attorney, in the amount of $66,000, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 with four one-year options to renew for a maximum contract amount of $330,000, to provide forensic medical evaluation services (to include sexual abuse and physical abuse), medical consultation services, and testimony in dependency cases for children and families involved in child abuse and neglect investigations; authorizing the County Administrator to execute any amendments, except for those amendments increasing the funding amount set forth in the Agreement, subject to approval of same by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorizing the County Administrator to take all administrative and budgetary actions related to the Agreement.

ACTION:  (T-10:35 AM)  Approved.  (Scrivener’s Error – See County Administrator’s Report: At the conclusion of the motion as it is currently written, insert the following: “Should the County’s standard terms and conditions not be accepted, the County Administrator is authorized to enter into an agreement with substantially the same provisions with the next ranked physician.”)
 
VOTE: 9-0.

In accordance with the Broward County Administrative Code Section 23.7, Agreements with external entities are subject to approval by Board.

Execution of this Agreement will ensure continuity of critical medical services to Broward County children and families involved in child abuse and neglect investigations.

None.

THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.

This recommendation supports the Commission Value of “Approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately” and the Goal to “Collaborate with public and private partners to find creative, equitable, and responsible solutions to systemic community problems...” The delivery of child abuse assessment and medical consultation services are being provided through a collaboration with a private medical professional who specializes in child abuse and funding from State of Florida Department of Health (FDOH). 

Since 1989, FDOH has provided funding to Broward County to administer the Child Protection Team (CPT) program. This program is administered through the Community Partnerships Division, Nancy J. Cotterman Center (NJCC). Under the Agreement with DOH, the Broward County CPT reviews every child abuse allegation received from the Department of Children and Families and provides statutorily mandated services.

On December 17 and 18, 2016, a Request for Letters of Interest (RLI) was advertised for forensic medical evaluation services (to include sexual abuse and physical abuse), medical consultation services, and testimony in dependency cases for children and families involved in child abuse and neglect investigations through NJCC. Applicants eligible to apply were appropriately accredited, licensed health care professionals or entities employing appropriately accredited, licensed health care professionals. The RLI utilized the procedure established for Human Services Department in the Broward County Administrative Code, Section 23.2.c. that resulted in the funding recommendation for the proposal from Dr. Jason Schulman. Performance Outcomes are stipulated by FDOH (funder).

The standard form consultant agreement form previously approved by the Board will be used.  The agreement will be reviewed and approved by the Office of the County Attorney and Risk Management, prior to execution by the County Administrator.

Mandy Wells, Director, Community Partnerships Division, 954-357-6398
Miriam Firpo-Jimenez, NJCC Administrator, 954-357-5754