To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Appointments to the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Appoint Peter Stoll and Alex Childers to the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board for a three (3) year term; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health 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 Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board is a requirement of California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5604 and was established per the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act of 1967. The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health actively supports the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board in accordance with applicable local, state and federal requirements.
Peter Stoll has had roles at the Humboldt/Del Norte Special Education Plan Area (SELPA) and Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE). His doctoral training is in school and counseling psychology, and he is credentialed in the state as a school psychologist and educational administrator.
Alex Childers has lived experience and is able to share unique experiences as a transition-age youth who received county services.
The Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board consists of fifteen (15) members and meets on a monthly basis in accordance with the provisions of the Brown Act. Counties are encouraged to appoint individuals who have experience and knowledge of the mental health system. The Behavioral Health Board should reflect the diversity of the client population in the county. Fifty percent (50%) of the membership shall be consumers or the parent, spouse, sibling or adult children of consumers who are receiving or have received mental health services. At least 20 percent of the total membership shall be consumers, and at least 20 percent shall be families of consumers.
Welfare & Institutions Code section 5604 was amended, effective Jan. 1, 2025, with the passage of Proposition 1 at the March 5, 2024 election. As a result of the amendments to section 5604, the Behavioral Health Board membership shall include at least one member who is 25 years of age or younger; at least one member who is a veteran or veteran advocate; and one member who is an employee of a local education agency. Further, counties are encouraged to appoint individuals who have experience with, and knowledge of, the behavioral health system, including members of the community who engage with individuals living with mental illness or substance use disorder in the course of daily operations, such as representatives of county offices of education, large and small businesses, hospitals, hospital districts, physicians practicing in emergency departments, city police chiefs, county sheriffs, and community and nonprofit service providers.
The proposed appointees will meet membership criteria described in the amendments to Welfare and Institutions Code section 5604.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with the recommended appointment since Behavioral Health Board members volunteer their services. As a result, the recommended actions will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STAFFING IMPACT:
The recommended actions will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Application to Serve on the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board Submitted by Peter Stoll
2. Application to Serve on the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board Submitted by Alex Childers
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 3/13/18, 12/4/18, 5/14/19, 7/23/19, 8/18/20, 8/10/21, 10/26/21, 11/16/21, 3/1/22; 7/19/22, 2/28/23, 5/23/23, 8/8/23, 9/12/23, 12/19/23, 6/4/24, 10/29/2024, 1/7/25
File No.: 18-105, 18-1544, 19-623, 19-1010, 20-980, 21-1078, 21-1503, 21-1659, 22-170; 22-914; 23-150, 23-488, 23-1060, 23-1165, 23-1592, 24-836, 24-1440, 25-9