REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  October  3, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-7.

SUBJECT:

Mental Health Services Act Fiscal Year 2017-18 through Fiscal Year 2019-20 Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Donnell Ewert, Director, Health and Human Services Agency, (530) 245-5899

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Donnell Ewert, Director, Health and Human Services Agency

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan for MHSA programs and expenditures in Shasta County for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18 through FY 2019-20.

SUMMARY

The proposed Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (Plan) will allow Shasta County to continue to provide services pursuant to the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).

DISCUSSION

In November 2004, California voters approved Proposition 63, the MHSA, which became effective January 1, 2005.  The purpose of the initiative was to dedicate additional funds for the provision of enhanced mental health services.  The planning process for MHSA was initiated in mid-2005 and continues today.  The process includes many community forums, stakeholder groups, and other public input-gathering activities.  

Between 2005 and 2012, all annual updates and three-year program and expenditure plans were approved by the California Department of Mental Health, per Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I).  Senate Bill 1136, which went into effect on June 27, 2012, amended W&I to require all county annual updates and three-year program and expenditure plans to be adopted by the local county Board of Supervisors, be certified by the County Auditor-Controller, and then forwarded to the state Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. The Plan is a progress report on Mental Health Services Act activities in Shasta County created with support and input from more than 300 MHSA stakeholders, the MHSA Advisory Committee, and the Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board (MHADAB).  The content covers Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18 through FY 2019-20 and includes information on the community planning process, program updates, budgets for each fiscal year, and program data and evaluations.

Highlighted in this document are many MHSA-funded programs that share common goals of effectively serving individuals and families in our community who experience mental illness, reducing the long-term adverse impact of mental illness, and promoting wellness and recovery.  Programs address a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, crisis, and service needs, as well as the necessary infrastructure to provide support.  Included are strategies and activities that serve older adults, adults, transition age youth, and children. Just a few examples are the new CARE Center, The Woodlands permanent supportive housing, consumer-run wellness centers, the Full Service Partnership program, the MHSA Volunteer Program, Crisis Residential Recovery Center services, the Brave Faces Portrait Gallery, and the Suicide Prevention Workgroup.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board of Supervisors could ask that the Plan be revised and resubmitted, or elect not to adopt it.  This is not recommended as Board adoption of the Plan is required pursuant to W&I section 5847 and without it, the services and activities currently funded through MHSA would have to be suspended and/or discontinued. Shasta County’s share of MHSA funds may then be reallocated to other California counties.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

Pursuant to W&I Code section 5847, the Plan was circulated for public review and comment for 30 days, including public notification in Shasta County newspapers. The MHADAB held a public hearing about the Plan on September 6, 2017. The MHADAB reviewed the Plan and public comments, entertained proposed amendments, and voted to approve the Plan on September 6, 2017. This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office. 

FINANCING

The funding referenced in this Plan has been included in the MHSA FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget (BU404) and the programs for the subsequent fiscal years will be included in future budget requests.  MHSA programs receive no General Fund support. There is no impact to the County General Fund with approval of the recommendation.