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Approve three reappointments to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board, Anthony E. McDonald and Jules Darian “J.D.” Hatchett to expire on September 30, 2026, and Denise Coleman to expire on November 30, 2025
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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 approve three reappointments to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board, Anthony E. McDonald and Jules Darian “J.D.” Hatchett to expire on September 30, 2026, and Denise Coleman to expire on November 30, 2025.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Solano County Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) was established under the Bronzan-McCorquodale Act (Part 2 of Division 4.7 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code § 5600 et seq.) and is mandated as part of the County’s contract with the State to provide specialty behavioral health services. The BHAB is comprised of at least nine but not more than 11 members appointed by the Solano County Board of Supervisors, with a required additional member of the Board of Supervisors. The County BHAB membership reflects the county’s demographic and ethnic diversity as specified in WIC § 5604.5(b).
Anthony E. McDonald is the Executive Director/Founder of Leaders of Men, Inc., a Fairfield-based youth mentoring non-profit organization founded in 2018 to provide resources centered around mental health and wellness support. Mr. McDonald’s focus is on providing a comprehensive array of resources to help youth, such as housing, and tackling obstacles like self-medicating and involvement with the justice system. On September 26, 2023, the Board approved Mr. McDonald’s appointment for a two-year term to expire September 30, 2025.
Jules Darian “J.D.” Hatchett is a certified Peer Support Specialist and Wellness Recovery Action Plan Trainer. Mr. Hatchett has personal lived experiences, and his area of interest is peer support services to homeless individuals, youth, Black men, and others. He focuses on offering hope and guidance for resiliency in a person’s life. Mr. Hatchett’s experience includes supporting mental health training facilitation and community outreach services across the community. The Board approved Mr. Hatchett’s initial appointment on November 14, 2017, and reappointment on March 9, 2021. Mr. Hatchett resigned from the Mental Health Advisory Board in April 2022 and later sought to rejoin the BHAB. On September 26, 2023, the Board approved his appointment for a two-year term to expire September 30, 2025.
Denise Coleman is a resident of Solano County and a current employee with Solano County H&SS Behavioral Health Division. Ms. Coleman actively advises the governing body and the Behavioral Health Director on mental health and substance use programs. Although employees of the county behavioral health system or contractors are not allowed to be members of the BHAB, she is exempted for being a consumer of behavioral health services who has obtained employment with an employer described and who holds a position in which she does not have any interest, influence, or authority over any financial or contractual matter concerning the employer. Ms. Coleman shall abstain from voting on any economic or contractual issue about the member’s employer that may come before the Board and shall not serve as the Chair or Vice-Chair (WIC § 5604). The Board approved Ms. Coleman’s initial appointment on December 6, 2016; therefore, her requested reappointment is limited through November 30, 2025 to align with the BHAB bylaws maximum term of nine consecutive years.
Solano County’s Mental Health Advisory Board was established in 1977. Proposition 1, approved by voters on March 5, 2024, and new legislation enacted under SB 326, the Behavioral Health Services Act (signed by the Governor on October 12, 2023, and effective immediately), recast the Mental Health Services Act by renaming it to the Behavioral Health Services Act and expanded it to include treatment of substance use disorders. Included in SB 326 is the requirement that each county have a behavioral health board, which encompasses both mental/emotional wellbeing and substance use.
On December 5, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved renaming the Mental Health Advisory Board to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board and approved bylaws for the BHAB. Additionally, per the BHAB bylaws, a member may not serve more than nine (9) consecutive years unless the member meets specific criteria.
The membership roster includes one position filled by a member of the Board of Supervisors, which is currently held by Supervisor Monica Brown.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve these appointments. This is not recommended as H&SS and the BHAB have interviewed candidates and are recommending their reappointment per the BHAB bylaws.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Board may choose not to approve these reappointments. This is not recommended as H&SS and the BHAB are recommending the reappointments per the BHAB bylaws.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION