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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt El Dorado County’s Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan, covering Fiscal Years (FY) 2017/18 through FY 2019/20, which will become effective July 1, 2017; and
2) Authorize the implementation of the Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan through June 30, 2018 or until the FY 2018/19 Plan Update is adopted by the Board, whichever occurs at the later date. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: Mental Health Services Act, with expenditure offsets from other Federal, State and Local Funding Sources.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt El Dorado County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan, covering Fiscal Years (FY) 2017/18 through FY 2019/20. HHSA also recommending the Board authorize the implementation of the Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan through June 30, 2018 or until the FY 2018/19 Plan Update is adopted by the Board, whichever occurs at a later date. Approval of the MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan will ensure that HHSA continues to provide MHSA programs and services as required in the existing MHSA Plan and Three-Year Plan Update, as well as provide the direction of focus for HHSA with regards to future Behavioral Health services and projects.
Additionally, HHSA has determined that due to the special skills and qualifications involved in the performance of the work, and in accordance with County Ordinance Section 3.13.030, it is more economical and feasible to engage independent contractors to perform certain services identified in the MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, the MHSA. The MHSA imposes a one (1) percent tax on personal income in excess of $1,000,000. The funds from the tax are distributed to California counties and are intended to transform the Mental Health System into one that is consumer and family driven, is recovery-oriented, accessible and culturally competent, and offers services appropriate for the population that is served.
The MHSA requires counties to prepare a three-year program and expenditure plan, known as the MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan and to prepare annual updates. The MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan is to be developed with input from local stakeholders, including adults and seniors with severe mental illness, families of children with mental illness, providers of services, law enforcement agencies, educational agencies, social services agencies, veterans, representatives from veteran organizations, providers of alcohol and drug services, and health care organizations. This public planning process is utilized to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and interested parties to discuss mental health policy, program planning, implementation, monitoring, quality improvement, evaluation, and budget allocations.
Once the MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan was developed, the draft document was posted for review and public comment for 30 days. HHSA posted the proposed MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan on April 17, 2017. At the close of the comment period, the Mental Health Commission conducted a public hearing to receive additional input from the community. Any substantive comment that was received about the draft Plan during the 30-day comment period or the public hearing process was summarized and included in the final Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan.
The MHSA established five (5) components that address specific goals for priority populations and key community mental health needs. Prevention and Early Intervention focuses on education, supports, early interventions and a reduction in disparities for underserved groups seeking access to mental health services. Community Services and Supports focuses on the development of recovery-oriented services for children, youth, adults, and older adults with serious mental illness. Included in Community Services and Supports is permanent supportive housing. The remaining components include Innovation, Workforce Education and Training, and Capital Facilities and Technological Needs. These components serve to introduce new and creative ways of addressing community mental health needs; support the development of a well-trained, qualified, and diverse workforce; and strengthen the foundation of the mental health system.
MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plans are written for three-year durations; however, Plans are to be updated annually to allow for significant changes from the prior year’s plan.
ALTERNATIVES
Failure to adopt the MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan will not only result in an inability to provide continuity of care for clients currently receiving MHSA-funded services from contracted vendors, but it will result in HHSA being out of compliance with the requirements of the MHSA. Consequently, the FY 16/17 MHSA Plan Update would continue as the foundation for MHSA services in the County, however the County would be out of compliance with MHSA as a result failing to develop the new Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
MHSA revenue and expenditures were included in the FY 2017/18 Recommended Budget, and will be included in future year budget requests. Additional revenue sources that offset the MHSA expenditures have also been budgeted. There is no Net County Cost associated with the MHSA program.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
County Strategic Plan, Healthy Communities goal, Objective 1: “Protect against adverse outcomes among children, adults, and senior citizens.”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director