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Adopt a resolution to amend the List of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 1.0 FTE Psychiatrist (Child-Board Certified) and to delete 1.0 FTE Psychiatrist (Board Certified) to meet the needs of the Health and Social Services’ Behavioral Health Division
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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 adopt a resolution to amend the List of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 1.0 FTE Psychiatrist (Child-Board Certified) and to delete 1.0 FTE Psychiatrist (Board Certified) to meet the needs of the Health and Social Services’ Behavioral Health Division.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
As the contracted Mental Health Plan and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery system with the State of California, Health and Social Services’ Behavioral Health Division administers specialty mental health services. It provides integrated mental health services to adults with serious mental illnesses and to children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. The Behavioral Health Division also provides substance use disorder services for adults and adolescents, supportive services, prevention, and early intervention services.
The need for child and adolescent psychiatry services continues to grow. Included in the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative is a requirement to standardize specialty mental health services for all counties, which resulted in Kaiser Medi-Cal specialty mental health services clients transitioning to County Behavioral Health caseload, including more children and youth. Moreover, with the addition of autism spectrum disorder as a qualifying diagnosis for County Behavioral Health services, more and more youth with neurodevelopmental conditions are being served. Child psychiatrists are an integral part of the behavioral medical coordination team and provide key medical leadership to the interdisciplinary team that serves youth with challenging eating disorders. The need for eating disorder assessment and treatment services also continues to grow, and these cases are usually complex, requiring extensive time for both treatment and care coordination.
Adding 1.0 FTE Psychiatrist (Child-Board Certified) and deleting 1.0 FTE Psychiatrist (Board Certified) will allow staff to more adequately support children and youth, and program requirements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The position is funded with Medi-Cal and 2011 Realignment revenues. There is no impact on the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the resolution; however, this action is not recommended as the County is mandated to provide specialty mental health services, and there is an increased need for children and youth psychiatry services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION