To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Bill Carter, 707-565-5157
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Behavioral Health Division Staffing Allocations
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a personnel resolution amending the Department of Health Services allocation list, adding 1.00 time-limited full-time equivalent Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist allocation effective November 16, 2021.
B) Adopt a budget resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 adopted budget to reflect additional revenues and expenditures related to Mental Health Student Services Act of 2019 (MHSSA) in the Amount of $156,188.
(4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The Department of Health Services has identified the need to add a Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist allocation to meet client needs, goals, objectives, and strategies. The requested time-limited Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist will be fully funded by a grant with the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC). The requested position is time-limited to coincide with the term of the grant, through July 31, 2025. This report provides details regarding the need, job duties, and funding of the position.
Discussion:
The Department of Health Services’ Behavioral Health Division provides a broad range of mandated mental health services to Sonoma County’s seriously emotionally disturbed youth and their families. This report provides information regarding the requested position, including the need and funding for the position.
The Mental Health Student Services Act of 2019 (MHSSA) is a competitive grant program established to fund partnerships between county behavioral health departments and local education entities for the purpose of increasing access to mental health services in locations that are easily accessible to students and their families. MHSSA grant funding is provided to county behavioral health departments to fund partnerships between educational and county mental health agencies. The grants awarded are to be used to provide support services that include, at a minimum, services provided on school campuses, suicide prevention services, drop-out prevention services, placement assistance and service plans for students in need of ongoing services, and outreach to high-risk youth, including foster youth, youth who identify as LGBTQ, and youth who have been expelled or suspended from school.
In June 2020, the Department submitted a grant application for MHSSA funds to the MHSOAC as the lead county with the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) as the lead agency. A grant agreement with MHSOAC, in the amount of $4,000,000 through July 31, 2025, was executed in August 2021 per the Department’s delegated authority for state and federal funding agreements approved by the Board on June 8, 2021.
MHSSA grant funding will be provided to SCOE through an agreement with the County and will be presented to the Board for approval in December 2021 or January 2022. As part of this agreement, the Behavioral Health Division will partner with SCOE to administer the grant and provide services including crisis response and linkage to community mental health resources and treatment services. The Behavioral Health Division has determined that it is necessary to hire 1.0 FTE time-limited Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist in order to fulfill this commitment.
The time-limited Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist will act as liaison between SCOE, county schools, and the Behavioral Health Division. The position will work with SCOE in administering the grant by gathering, tracking, and reporting program data. The Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist will consult with schools and SCOE staff on student mental health needs, provide crisis response to students experiencing a mental health crisis, and assist schools, SCOE staff, and families in connecting students to needed mental health services in the community. This will include providing direct referrals to Behavioral Health services when appropriate. By providing these services throughout the county, this position will support the Behavioral Health Division to increase its working relationships with schools.
The time-limited Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist will be fully funded by the MHSOAC grant. The requested position is time-limited to coincide with the term of the grant, through July 31, 2025.
Prior Board Actions:
On June 8, 2021 the Board adopted a resolution delegating authority to the Director of Health Services, or designee, to accept funding allocations for the County of Sonoma and execute revenue agreements, amendments, and related documents received in fiscal year 2021-2022 as necessary to receive revenue from state and federal agencies.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY 22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
190,497 |
200,022 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
156,188 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
156,188 |
190,497 |
200,022 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
156,188 |
190,497 |
200,022 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
156,188 |
190,497 |
200,022 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist position will be funded through the MHSSA grant. Revenue and expenditure appropriations of $156,188 for this position will be added with the attached budget resolution. Future estimated cost for the position is $190,497 in FY 22-23 and $200,022 in FY 23-24.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist |
$7,111.86 - $8,644.16 |
1.00 |
0.0 |
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
Requested staffing is intended to address staff deficiencies and contractual obligations identified above. If approved, the Department of Health Services will work with Human Resources to fill the new position. This requested position is time-limited through July 31, 2025.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Personnel Resolution
Attachment 2 - Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None