To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera, 707-565-4774
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Mental Health Board Bylaws Update
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve Mental Health Board Bylaws as amended to include language necessary for compliance with state legislation governing Mental Health Boards.
end
Executive Summary:
The Mental Health Board is an Advisory Board of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma and must follow the Policy and Guidelines for an Advisory Board of the Board of Supervisors. The Mental Health Board (MHB) advises the Board of Supervisors on the Mental Health System of Care. The Mental Health Board has determined the current bylaws need additional language to align with state legislation governing Mental Health Boards and boards following the Brown Act.
The Mental Health Board approved the revisions to the Bylaws on November 21, 2023, which mandate MHB members to attend a minimum of 6 out of the 10 meetings per fiscal year, and, require attendance in person. Per the MHB Bylaws, changes must be submitted to the County Board of Supervisors for their concurrence before they can become effective.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Mental Health Board (MHB) is an advisory body designated to listen to the concerns of constituents and help formulate policies that offer a consistent continuum of care for all those with mental health challenges. The MHB advises the Board of Supervisors on the Mental Health System of Care.
The MHB supports:
• Reducing stigma for individuals needing all levels of mental health care in all communities in the county.
• Treating each person with compassion and respect, regardless of gender, sexual identity, and cultural or ethnic background, and acknowledging the influence of individual lived experiences.
• Working with the local mental health system to eliminate racism from our minds and hearts and ensuring that our policies are equitable and benefit underrepresented communities.
• Acknowledging that environmental factors can increase mental distress and supporting efforts to reduce such stressors.
• Providing support to the families of those with mental health challenges.
The MHB collaborates with the Behavioral Health Division of DHS to increase public and professional awareness of individuals with mental health challenges. The MHB positively influences the mental health system by listening to public input and working with the DHS Behavioral Health Division to create policies that will offer hope to individuals living with mental illness and to their families. The MHB has determined the current bylaws need additional language to follow state legislation governing Mental Health Boards and boards following the Brown Act.
Attachment 2 to this item reflects revisions which are outlined below. The revisions add the following two items to Article III; Section 4:
1. Meet at such times and places as required by law and these Bylaws. Includes requiring Board members’ minimum attendance of (6) of the (10) meetings per Fiscal Year. And, per Assembly Bill 2449 following Governor Newsom’s announcement that the COVID-19 State of Emergency was ending February 28, 2023, these meetings must be attended in person unless situation meets exceptions as detailed in Assembly Bill 2449.
2. Complete the required AB 1234 Ethics Training within 90 days of membership date.
The Mental Health Board approved the revisions to the Bylaws on November 21, 2023. As required by the Bylaws, the revisions are now being submitted to the Board of Supervisors for concurrence. Changes to the Bylaws become effective as of the date approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
On March 16, 2021 the Board accepted submission of the 2019-2020 Mental Health Board Annual Report and Data Notebook.
On January 26, 2021 the Board accepted submission of the 2018-2019 Mental Health Board Annual Report and Data Notebook.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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Total Sources |
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0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Sonoma County Mental Health Board Bylaws - November 2023 (Clean)
Attachment 2 - Sonoma County Mental Health Board Bylaws - November 2023 (Redline)
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A