To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant Funding from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to Deliver School-Based Mental Health Crisis Services
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute and deliver State of California Standard Agreement No. 19MHSOAC046, and any amendments thereto, along with any and all other documents and agreements with other entities required or deemed necessary to accept and secure Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant funding in the amount of $2,500,000 from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission in order to deliver school-based mental health crisis services;
2. Approve the allocation of one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Supervising Mental Health Clinician (class 0916, salary range 484) in Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424 effective immediately upon Board of Supervisors approval;
3. Approve the allocation of one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Administrative Analyst (class 0626, salary range 387) in Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424 effective immediately upon Board of Supervisors approval;
4. Adopt the attached supplemental budget in the amount of $388,765 for fiscal year 2020-2021 Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424 (4/5 vote required);
5. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for submission to the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant
Behavioral Health Fund - Fund 1170
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (DHHS - Behavioral Health) applied for, and has been selected to receive, Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant funding from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission for the purpose of expanding the delivery of school-based mental health crisis services and strengthening partnerships between education and community mental health providers through implementation of the Humboldt Bridges to Success Program (HBTS Program). Such grant funding will allow DHHS - Behavioral Health and various local educational agencies to hire several mental health professionals in order to increase: identification of children and youth in need of mental health care; provision of mental health triage, prevention and early intervention services to children who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, a mental health crisis; and access to individualized formal supports and mental health treatment services for children with intensive mental health needs.
Grant-supported personnel will include, without limitation, one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Supervising Mental Health Clinician, and one (1) 0.50 FTE Administrative Analyst I/II employed by DHHS - Behavioral Health, and five kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) Navigators and one (1) K-12 Family and Child Support Coach employed by local school districts. K-12 Navigators support school administrators and staff, provide students, parents and staff with information and referrals to support the ongoing success of students, assist students with academic, attendance and/or behavioral issues, including, without limitation, implementing student disciplinary plans and assisting parents and students in locating appropriate services, and provide information regarding student progress. K-12 Family and Child Support Coaches provide peer-to-peer support and assistance to children and families who are dealing with mental health challenges.
Once hired, grant-supported personnel will be assigned to the existing HBTS Program. HBTS Program staff provide short-term, school-based mental health services to students throughout Humboldt County. Following the provision of short-term mental health services, HBTS staff provide linkage to longer-term mental health, and other necessary community-based, services and supports to improve the health and wellness of students and their family members. HBTS clinicians are currently assigned to various regions of Humboldt County, and provide direct services to students requiring mental health interventions. Clinicians team with K-12 Navigators, K-12 Family and Child Support Coaches and other County of Humboldt and school staff to provide comprehensive and coordinated services. Services provided by HTBS Program staff include, without limitation, assessment, individual, family and group counseling, treatment planning, crisis intervention, safety planning and psychoeducational consultation.
Upon acceptance of Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant funding from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, DHHS - Behavioral Health will be required to enter into formal collaborative partnerships with various local educational agencies and school districts, including, without limitation, Humboldt County Office of Education, Eureka City Schools, a Unified District, Fortuna Elementary School District, Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District, Northern Humboldt High School District and Southern Humboldt Unified School District.
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution authorizing acceptance of Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant funding from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to deliver school-based mental health crisis services for a period of 4 years. Staff also recommends that the Board approve the allocation of one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Supervising Mental Health Clinician and one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Administrative Analyst I/II, and adopt the attached supplemental budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424, in order to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of State of California Standard Agreement No. 19MHSOAC046.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DHHS - Behavioral Health has been conditionally awarded a total of $2,500,000 in Mental Health Student Services Act Grant funding. Grant funding will be used pay the salary and benefit costs associated with the employment of one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Supervising Mental Health Clinician and one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Administrative Analyst I/II for the period of Sept. 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024. Additionally, grant funding will be used to compensate five school districts and the Humboldt County Office of Education for the facilitation and/or provision of certain contractually required school-based mental health crisis services.
The estimated salary and benefit cost of one (1) 0.50 full-time equivalent Supervising Mental Health Clinician is $49,194. The estimated salary and benefit cost for one (1) 0.50 FTE Administrative Analyst is $22,453. The total cost associated with the facilitation and/or provision of contractually required school-based mental health crisis services by school districts and the Humboldt County Office of Education is estimated to be $317,118. The attached supplemental budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 DHHS - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424 totals $388,765.
DHHS - Behavioral Health plans to sustain the HBTS Program beyond the 4-year period covered by the grant through the effective use of Medicare and Medicaid billing and health care reform opportunities, such as expanded benefit enrollment strategies, cross-agency financing strategies and redirection and maximization of federal matching funds.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt County Office of Education, Eureka City Schools, a Unified District, Fortuna Elementary School District, Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District, Northern Humboldt High School District and Southern Humboldt Unified School District.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing acceptance of Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant funding from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow DHHS - Behavioral Health to obtain funding that will be used to support the provision of necessary school-based mental health crisis services to eligible children and families residing in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant Funding from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to Deliver School-Based Mental Health Crisis Services
2. State of California Standard Agreement No. 19MHSOAC046 by and between the County of Humboldt and the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
3. Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 DHHS - Behavioral Health Administration Budget Unit 1170-424
4. Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant Application dated February 25, 2020
5. Request for Mental Health Student Services Act Personnel Grant Applications
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: 20-958