TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Lizette Guerrero, Human Resources Director
DATE: May 29, 2026
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT AMENDEMENT WITH THE
COUNSELING TEAM INTERNATIONAL FOR BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
PERSONNEL
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Efficient, Responsive, and Effective City Services
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
BACKGROUND
The Counseling Team International (TCTI) was founded in 1985 by Dr. Nancy K. Bohl-Penrod to provide employee support services, such as Critical Incident Stress Management services (CISM), Behavioral Health and Wellness Services, training, and pre-employment psychological testing to law enforcement, emergency services, fire, and other government agencies throughout California and across the nation. According to TCTI, this type of intervention saw a decrease in Worker’s Compensation claims and TCTI was encouraged and asked to expand their services.
TCTI employs licensed Mental Health Professionals that are well versed in the issues impacting public safety disciplines.
Providing behavioral health and wellness programs for public safety personnel is a proactive way to support employees who routinely face high-stress and high-risk situations. Regular exposure to critical incidents can have cumulative effects on mental and emotional well-being, and access to appropriate resources can help address those impacts early.
Tony Chou, Mayor
Calvin Lo, Vice Mayor
Hunter Chang, Council Member
John Chou, Council Member
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Council Member
DISCUSSION
The City approved a contract with the Counseling Team International on January 11, 2023, through June 30, 2026, for behavioral health and wellness services for public safety personnel.
Although the contract that was entered into with the Counseling Team International on January 11, 2023, allows for the extension of the agreement for up to two (2) one-year periods, staff recommends entering into a three (3) year term contract.
By amending our contract with The Counseling Team International, the following services would continue to be available to public safety personnel:
• Professional short-term confidential counseling for employees, spouses, and their eligible dependents living within the home
• Supervisor Referral
• Follow-up sessions for employees involved in Critical Incidents • Peer Support Consultation
• Annual Individual Mental Health Training
• Critical Incident Intervention- on stand-by-status
The City’s experience with The Counseling Team International has been positive, demonstrating the value of providing behavioral health resources to public safety personnel. The Chief of Police has on several occasions contacted the Counseling Team International’s on-call 24/7 for critical incident stress management debriefs. Employees in these public safety roles routinely encounter high-stress situations, and access to support services helps address those impacts in a constructive and timely manner.
Continuing to invest in behavioral health and wellness programs aligns with both employee well-being and the City’s broader goals of maintaining a resilient, effective, and sustainable public safety workforce.
The total cost of the services during the three (3) year term is not to exceed $75,521.58. The cost is comprised of the following:
• The annual contract amount shall not exceed $24,197.96 year 1. • The annual contract amount shall not exceed $25,157.86 year 2. • The annual contract amount shall not exceed $26,165.76 year 3.
The California JPIA currently provides funding at 50% of the actual cost, up to a maximum of $15,000 per year, per member for preventive services. Prior approval from the California JPIA is required.
Critical/catastrophic incident intervention services are funded at 100% with no maximum limit. Authority staff must pre-approve these services.
Critical/catastrophic incident intervention services include:
• On-call 24/7 Critical Incident Stress Management Debriefs • Ongoing Intervention Services related to a Catastrophic Incident
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
For preventive mental health and wellness services, CJPIA currently offers a maximum reimbursement of $15,000 per fiscal year, per member (amount divided between your police and fire departments).
Critical/catastrophic incident intervention, and mental health-related training, and peer support program development/maintenance is covered at 100% subject to CJPIA prior approval.
The Human Resources Department budget funds for behavioral wellness and mental health services in the Other Contract Services Account (Account #101- 10-4150-0000), and sufficient funds for these services are included each fiscal year as part of the Department’s proposed operating budget.
The Finance Director has reviewed the agreement to ensure its compliance with the City’s procurement policy.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council approve a contract amendment with The Counseling Team International for behavioral health and wellness services for public safety personnel for a three (3) year term in the amount not to exceed $75,521.58. If Council concurs with staff’s recommendation, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to approve a contract amendment with The Counseling Team International for behavioral health and wellness services for public safety personnel for a three (3) year term in the amount not to exceed $75,521.58.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. The Counseling Team International Proposal
2. Draft First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement (PSA)
3. Standard Professional Services Agreement with the Counseling Team Internation expires June 30, 2026