To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Dis-allocate two (2) Vacant Crisis Specialists Positions and Allocate two (2) Mental Health Clinician I/II Positions in Budget Unit 424
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Dis-allocate two (2) 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE) vacant Crisis Specialist positions (class 0900, position 03 and position 08, salary range 414) in budget unit (BU) 424; and
2. Allocate two (2) 1.0 FTE Mental Health Clinician I/II positions (class 0909A/B, salary range 424/454) in BU 424 effective immediately upon Board approval.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Mental Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Mental Health has learned that the duties previously performed by Crisis Specialists are best suited for licensed staff (Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) due to the complexity of writing and rescinding 5150 holds. Also the complexity and variety of the clinical presentation of clients requires a trained Mental Health Clinician. The job duties are too extensive to be filled by a Crisis Specialist. The re-allocation of these Crisis Specialist positions to Mental Health Clinician positions will allow for service in the Adult Mobile Response Team to meet the needs of this grant-funded program. Filling these Mental Health Clinician positions within the program would allow for expanded hours of coverage into the community 7 days a week.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
On approval, the annual salary and benefit cost of this position allocation adjustment for Fiscal Year 2018-19 is an increase of approximately $7,500. Funding for the Mental Health Clinician positions is available from state funds granted to DHHS-MH through Senate Bill 82 Triage Services and Federal Financial Participation for service delivery to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. There is sufficient appropriation to accommodate expenditure increase in DHHS Mental Health Administration budget unit 1170-424 for FY 2018-19. There is no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure and by creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the requested position allocation. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow DHHS - Mental Health to assist our clients at the most critical of times, which supports the Boards’ Strategic Framework for providing supportive services to some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A