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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board appoint James Diel to the position of Acting Director of Local Mental Health Services, effective April 24, 2025 while a recruitment is in process to fill the allocated County classification of Director of Behavioral Health, for a duration no longer than a 12-month period consistent with California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Section 620.1.
FUNDING: 94% combined State, Federal and Realignment, 6% General Fund allocated to HHSA Program Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Effective April 24, 2025, due to the prior incumbent’s retirement, a vacancy was created for the HHSA position of Director of Behavioral Health, who served as the County’s Director of Local Mental Health Services. An open, competitive recruitment for a permanent Director of Behavioral Health is being conducted, but in the interim the Behavioral Health Department (BHD) will need someone in the role to oversee day-to-day operations. Mr. James Diel, current Chief Assistant Director of HHSA, meets the Director of Local Mental Health Services provisions outlined in CCR, Title 9, Division 1, Chapter 3, Article 8, section 620(d) and is agreeable to stepping into this position in an Acting status for a period not to exceed 12 months.
Pursuant to CCR Title 9, section 1111, and as required under the County’s Mental Health Plan agreement with the DHCS, HHSA BHD, serving as the mental health plan (MHP) in El Dorado County, shall have a Director of Local Mental Health Services responsible for overseeing the County’s mental health treatment programs. In accordance with California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 5607, “local mental health services shall be administered by a local director of mental health services to be appointed by the governing body.”
HHSA recommends the Board approve this Acting appointment to enable HHSA BHD to comply with legislative staffing requirements and ensure continuity of this position’s duties until the vacancy is filled.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could not make the recommended Acting appointment or offer an alternative appointment, however, if not approved, the County will be out of compliance with legislative staffing regulations and its obligations under the County’s MHP agreement with the DHCS.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 2/12/19, Legistar Item 19-0222, closed session appointment of Acting Mental Health Director.
2) 9/17/19, Legistar Item 19-1235, Personnel Allocation Resolution 154-2019, and revision of the Job Classification for Director of Mental Health
3) 2/25/20, Legistar Item 20-0280, closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, Public Employment - Director of Mental Health Recruitment.
4) 8/7/20, Legistar Item 20-0963 Revised department-specific class specification for the Health and Human Services Agency: Director of Behavioral Health (Title change from: Director of Mental Health)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to Net County Cost associated with this item. The Director of Behavioral Health position is allocated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Personnel Allocation and included in the FY 2025-26 Budget request. The position is required to be filled under the County's Mental Health Plan with the State to bill for Special Mental Health Services (SMHS). Therefore, if the Acting appointment is not approved, there could be significant financial impacts as HHSA may be unable to be reimbursed by the State for the delivery of mandated SMHS services.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency