To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:title
Mental Health Performance Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services Regarding the Provision of Community Mental Health Treatment Services to Eligible Humboldt County Residentsend
RECOMMENDATION(S):Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Waive the requirements of the Humboldt County Nuclear Free Ordinance with regard to the attached mental health performance agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services; and
2. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached mental health performance agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services regarding the provision of community mental health treatment services to eligible Humboldt County residents for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029; and
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations and documents directly associated with, the attached mental health performance agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit with one (1) fully executed certified copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1002- Remove barriers to quality healthcare
DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) administers the Mental Health Services Act, which will be replaced by the Behavioral Health Service Act effective July 1, 2026, Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness, Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training programs, and oversees the provision of community mental health treatment services pursuant to the Bronzan-McCorquodale Act.
The attached mental health performance agreement with DHCS sets forth the conditions, program principles and general requirements that the County of Humboldt, by and through the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (“DHHS - Behavioral Health”), must meet in order to receive critical state and federal funding for the provision of community mental health treatment services.
On March 23, 2026, DHCS sent DHHS - Behavioral Health the attached mental health performance agreement for review and execution. DHCS requested that DHHS - Behavioral Health return executed copies of the attached mental health performance agreement by April 30, 2026. The Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board subsequently reviewed the attached mental health performance agreement with DHCS, in accordance with California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5604.2(a)(2)(A).
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached mental health performance agreement with DHCS regarding the provision of community mental health treatment services to eligible Humboldt County residents for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations and documents directly associated with, the attached mental health performance agreement with DHCS, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of needed community mental health treatment services.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170-424)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Although the attached mental health performance agreement with DHCS indicates a zero maximum dollar value, funding for the County of Humboldt’s mental health programs is dependent on the execution thereof. Mental health program funding related to the attached mental health performance agreement with DHCS has been included in the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for DHHS - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424 and will be included in future annual budget cycles.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approval of the attached mental health performance agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached mental health performance agreement with DHCS regarding the provision of community mental health treatment services to eligible Humboldt County residents. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would cause DHHS - Behavioral Health to lose critical funding for the provision of community mental health treatment services to individuals who have a mental health diagnosis or a mental health diagnosis with a co-occurring substance use disorder.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Mental Health Performance Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services Regarding the Provision of Community Mental Health Treatment Services to Eligible Humboldt County Residents
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: /12/14, 7/14/15, 12/6/16, 12/12/17, 11/12/19, 9/14/21
File No.: 14-0626, 15-970, 16-8238, 17-2649, 19-1583, 21-1317