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Accept the 2018 Annual Report from the Solano County Mental Health Advisory Board, as required by California Welfare and Institutions Code 5604.2
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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), on behalf of the local Mental Health Advisory Board, recommends that the Board accept the 2018 Annual Report from the Solano County Mental Health Advisory Board, as required by California Welfare and Institutions Code 5604.2.
SUMMARY:
The Mental Health Advisory Board (MHAB) is a statutorily appointed board that is responsible for oversight of the functioning of the public mental health system. The MHAB is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and consists of at least 50% mental health consumers (family members and direct consumers) who reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of Solano County. MHAB members serve in a volunteer capacity. At the start of 2018 there were 10 members of the MHAB, however two members resigned during the year. The Board consisted of eight members at the end of 2018 and additional members were poised to begin participation in 2019.
The MHAB continues to provide input to the Behavioral Health Director on issues that the community and members prioritize. There is a collaborative working relationship and mutual sharing of information across the MHAB, H&SS staff and contract providers to Behavioral Health.
DISCUSSION:
Each California County that contracts with the State Department of Health Care Services to provide services under the Mental Health Plan is obligated to maintain a Mental Health Advisory Board as a means of ensuring that communities are aware of and have say in the mental health system of care in their county. In addition to the formal duties outlined below, the MHAB hears concerns from citizens who have interacted with the mental health system, receives suggestions for improvement, and provides an opportunity for the public to meet with select staff and become informed on high level issues affecting Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Division.
California Welfare and Institutions Code section 5604.2. et. seq. mandates that each community mental health service shall have a mental health board charged with some or all of the following responsibilities:
1. Review and evaluate the community’s mental health needs, services, facilities and special problems.
2. Review any county agreements entered into pursuant to section 5650 of the California Welfare & Institutions Code.
3. Advise the governing body and the local Deputy Director of Behavioral Health [Mental Health Director] as to any aspect of the local mental health program.
4. Review and approve the procedures used to ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process.
5. Submit an annual report to the governing body on the needs and performance of the County’s mental health system.
6. Review and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on applicants for the appointment of the local Mental Health Director [Deputy Director, Behavioral Health]. The board shall be included in the selection process prior to the vote of the governing body.
7. Review and comment on the County’s performance outcome data and communicate its findings to the California Mental Health Planning Council.
The MHAB Annual Report serves as a public record of this body’s activities and accomplishments in 2018. The report highlights the efforts by the advisory board to increase its understanding of the programs offered across the system and the way that they intersect with other County departments in order to benefit the Solano County community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this Report and Board item are included in the H&SS FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The MHAB members volunteer their time as board members.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to accept the MHAB Annual Report. This is not recommended because the report showcases the accomplishments and contributions of the Mental Health Advisory Board and whose bylaws, and Welfare and Institutions Code 5604.2, require an annual submission of the report to the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Mental Health Advisory Board has reviewed the attached Annual Report for submission to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Monica Brown serves as the Supervisor appointed to the Mental Health Advisory Board.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION