Title
Supervisor Briggs recommending the Board authorize the Interim Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to sign a letter of support for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) El Dorado's application to the California Mental Health Services Authority for a Small and Frontier County Mental Health Community Dialogue grant.
FUNDING: This letter of support has no financial implication to the County.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
None
Background
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), through its Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Initiative, is making available mini-grants up to $30,000 in small or rural counties to host community dialogue events focusing on the content of a documentary produced by KVIE, a Sacramento Public Broadcasting System (PBS) television station. According to the grant application, "The KVIE documentary tells the stories of everyday Californians through their struggles, recovery and resilience in the face of mental health challenges. The documentary, which is slated for release in May 2013, also provides a behind-the-headlines look at the far reaching negative effects of stigma and discrimination associated with mental health challenges."
The purpose of the grants is to provide funding and toolkits to organizations "to gather leaders to view the documentary and to conduct in-person panels or forums about stigma and discrimination. The discussions may take a variety of forms, ideally interactive and lively, about the topic and its manifestation in local communities. Grantees will also perform broad outreach to promote the events and reinforce CalMHSA anti-stigma messaging."
El Dorado County is a member of CalMHSA, an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes. CalMHSA administers three statewide Prevention and Early Intervention programs (Stigma and Discrimination Reduction, Suicide Prevention and Student Mental Health) funded through the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) (MHSA).
Reason for Recommendation
El Dorado County recognizes our community partners' activities, including NAMI El Dorado, in raising awareness about mental health issues and working towards the reduction of stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. As stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness is reduced, individuals who would benefit from mental health services are more likely to seek assistance, and the early provision of mental health services can greatly improve an individual's quality of life and minimize or eliminate future crisis events.
Through the Community Dialogue Grants, local events will be held to open discussion about mental illness stigma and discrimination reduction. NAMI El Dorado wishes to facilitate these events, and has requested a letter of support from the County's Health and Human Services Agency to submit with their grant application per the grant application instructions. NAMI El Dorado's objective is to bring together leaders from multiple county agencies and organizations to provide the opportunity for collaboration, dialogue, and discussion on the complex issues surrounding mental illness, including stigma and discrimination. NAMI El Dorado believes that education and open discussion promotes understanding, acceptance, and improved resources and services for those with mental illness and their families. Stigma and discrimination for those with mental illness are obstacles that contribute to homelessness, suicide, and revolving doors for emergency care, incarceration, and hospitalization.
NAMI El Dorado believes that utilization of these grant funds to provide an opportunity for multiple agencies, businesses, and the public to gather around a common event, the PBS documentary and panel discussion with county leaders, will result in improved community relationships, communication, and policies for our county.
As stipulated in Board of Supervisors Policy A-5, Grant Endorsements for Non-County Agencies, Departments are required to obtain approval from the Board of Supervisors prior to providing endorsement for non-county grant applications.
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
HHSA Director to sign and forward the letter of support to NAMI El Dorado for submittal with their grant application.
Contact
Jan Walker-Conroy, Interim Director
Concurrences
None