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Approve two Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Division contracts for the period of September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide mental health stigma reduction activities to local underserved communities: $187,325 with Agape Counseling Center and Network, and $180,860 with BrandGOV; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Division recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve two contracts for the period of September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide mental health stigma reduction activities to local underserved communities: $187,325 with Agape Counseling Center and Network, and $180,860 with BrandGOV; and delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the 2 contracts and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999.
SUMMARY:
The Mental Health Services Act, Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component, requires the County to engage in community-wide mental health stigma reduction efforts and provide timely and adequate stigma and discrimination reduction services for underserved communities in Solano County. The two contracts will provide mental health stigma reduction outreach activities and programs to underserved communities. Agape Counseling Center and Network will provide training, workshops, and support groups to support prevention, early intervention, and outreach for increasing recognition of early signs of mental illness and linkage to treatment programs. BrandGOV will focus on engagement at community events and through stigma reduction webinars.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The two contracts are funded with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component, revenue and as outlined in the MHSA Three-Year Plan for FYs 2023-2026.
Appropriations for this contract are included in the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. There is no impact on the County General Fund. The cost of preparing the agenda item is nominal and included in the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
In November 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, also referred to as the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which imposed a one percent income tax on personal income in excess of $1 million to provide funding to support county mental health programs. There are five funding streams of MHSA, of which one is the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component. MHSA programs address a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, and direct services, along with the necessary infrastructure, technology, and training elements to effectively support the mental health system. Counties administer the MHSA programs, and are required to create and implement, with the local community input, three-year plans that are updated annually. The PEI funding component focuses on preventing mental health issues from becoming severe and disabling and improving timely access to services for underserved communities.
Solano County Behavioral Health engages community members and partners in an annual community program planning (CPP) process to evaluate the current county behavioral health system of care and identify gaps in the care system. Over the last several years, community members and partners have continued to support and recognize the need for outreach and stigma reduction strategies for underserved communities that are disproportionately impacted by social determinants of health, including the lack of economic stability, food security, affordable housing, education, and quality medical and mental health care treatment, or involvement in the child welfare and justice systems. During the FY2023/24 CPP process, Behavioral Health engaged 138 individuals over three meetings, where several participants completed the optional MHSA Key Issues Survey. Respondents identified suicidal behaviors, anxiety/depression, substance use, and bullying as top issues that need to be addressed. Respondents also identified mental health stigma, difficulty navigating the system of care, and a lack of resources as the top three barriers to accessing needed behavioral health services.
On September 12, 2023, the Board approved the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three-Year Plan for FYs 2023/24 through 2025/26. On August 13, 2024, the Board approved the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Annual Update for FY2023/24, which included community feedback through the CPP process that increased mental health stigma reduction activities and programs for underserved populations in Solano County is needed. The MHSA Three-Year Plan provides funding for the delivery of prevention and early intervention activities and improving access to services for underserved communities.
On June 7, 2023, Solano County Behavioral Health released a Request for Proposal intended to increase efforts for prevention, early intervention supports, and early identification of mental health conditions in underserved populations. On November 3, 2023, Notices of Intent to Award were issued with Agape Counseling Center and Network and BrandGOV as selected providers.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose to not approve one or both contracts. This action is not recommended as the services provided are included in the MHSA Three-Year Plan and provide for early intervention strategies designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION