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Affirm the appointment of Jennifer Mullane as Chief Deputy Behavioral Health and Director of Mental Health Services effective as of February 16, 2025, per Welfare and Institutions Code §5607
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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 (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors affirm the appointment of Jennifer Mullane as Chief Deputy Behavioral Health and Director of Mental Health Services effective as of February 16, 2025, per Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code §5607.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County’s Director of Mental Health Services (County classification of Chief Deputy Behavioral Health) has been vacant since November 16, 2024 after the prior incumbent promoted to the role of Director of Health and Social Services. The County conducted a recruitment to fill the position of Chief Deputy Behavioral Health, and after the recruitment and interview process of potential candidates, Jennifer Mullane was selected as Chief Deputy Behavioral Health and Director of Mental Health Services in Solano County. Ms. Mullane started in this role as of February 16, 2025.
Jennifer Mullane has served as the Deputy Director H&SS, Behavioral Health since July 24, 2023. Ms. Mullane previously served in various leadership roles at Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, most recently as the Associate Director for the Adult/Older Adult System of Care. Ms. Mullane’s career began as a Presidential Management Fellow with the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, before advancing to Victim-Witness Manager for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle, Washington. She also worked as a therapist and case manager at Seattle Counseling Services for Sexual Minorities. A dedicated public servant, Ms. Mullane is committed to delivering high-quality services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries with complex needs, including those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She is a motivational interviewing trainer and has extensive expertise in evidence-based practice integration, including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), harm reduction, Individual Placement and Supports (IPS), and trauma-informed care. Additionally, Ms. Mullane is a trained facilitator in stakeholder management and consensus-building methods. Jennifer Mullane has a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Scranton and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Ms. Mullane is an experienced behavioral health professional with over 25 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field.
Per California Welfare and Institutions Code section 5607, the local mental health services shall be administered by a local director of mental health services to be appointed by the governing body. He or she shall meet such standards of training and experience as the State Department of Health Care Services, by regulation, shall require. Applicants for these positions need not be residents of the city, county, or state, and may be employed on a full or part-time basis. Ms. Mullane meets statutory requirements under CCR Title 9, Section 620, and possesses clinical licensure in California.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no additional financial impact to the County General Fund associated with the approval of this item. The costs for preparing this agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors may elect not to affirm the appointment of Ms. Mullane. This is not recommended as the County is statutorily required to have a permanent mental health director and failure to appoint one could result in compliance sanctions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS worked with County Counsel and the Human Resources Department.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION