To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
11:00 AM - Receive and File a Report on the Department of Health and Human Services-Public Health Suicide Fatality Review Team
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and file a report on the Suicide Fatality Review Team from the Humboldt County Health Officer and Public Health Director.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund (1175)
DISCUSSION:
In 2019, Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services-Public Health (DHHS-Public Health), in collaboration with the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, established a Suicide Fatality Review process and team. The Humboldt County Suicide Fatality Review (SFR) Team is a multidisciplinary group of professionals that meets regularly to examine individual deaths by suicide to understand the circumstances surrounding the suicide, the systems that touched the life of the deceased, the relevant risk factors, and the actions that will improve systems and catalyze local prevention efforts. The SFR’s mission is to identify gaps in the existing systems of suicide care and improve services for people at risk of suicide in Humboldt County, with the vision of achieving zero suicides in Humboldt County.
The purpose of the SFR is to prevent future deaths by suicides in Humboldt County by making recommendations for process improvements that can be measured, analyzed, and enhanced, and which are specific to Humboldt County. The SFR process does not look for errors on the part of specific individuals or agencies. The SFR process intends to identify areas of improvement and to ensure that those who are affected by a suicide receive needed support services. Recommendations from the SFR help us prevent and intervene across a continuum of care in order to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviors in Humboldt County. The SFR has reviewed 26 cases through 2022 since it began in 2019. The report being discussed today will provide a foundation for future reports.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DHHS-Public Health, Healthy Communities, Suicide and Violence Prevention Unit receives several grants which cover the cost of the Public Health staff time and resources for SFR. The SFR Team meets on a quarterly basis throughout the year, SFR meetings where cases are reviewed are typically around two hours. There are up to ten County employees that attend SFR case review meetings and another five or more attendees who are community organizations that form part of the SFR team. The SFR generates Humboldt County specific recommendations based on best and promising practices which are informed by community wisdom. The information and recommendations generated by the SFR team also allows the DHHS -Public Health team to apply for future funding for the community which is informed by these results.
STAFFING IMPACT:
The grant funding which supports the SFR has allowed us to fund part of a Senior Health Education Specialist, who is the co-facilitator for the SFR, and two Health Education Specialists.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and creating opportunities for improved health and safety.
Core Roles: Create opportunities for improved safety and health
New Initiatives: Provide community-appropriate levels of service
Strategic Plan: N/A
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: None
Meeting of: None
File No.: None