Title
Sheriff's Office recommending the Board approve and authorize Sheriff’s Captain, Tasha Thompson, to execute a reimbursement agreement with the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) to provide DSH with inmate interview assistance, and relevant inmate medical records of those who are awaiting admission to a DSH facility, and who have been committed to DSH as Incompetent to Stand Trial on a felony charge, The DSH services are for the purpose of re-evaluating competency status, psychotropic medication status, and assessment for placement in an alternative community based program including but not limited to mental health diversion or community based restoration. This Agreement has no stated end date.
FUNDING: Reimbursement from the Department of State Hospitals.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The DSH, in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) section 4335.2, which gives DSH the authority and sole discretion to consider and conduct reevaluations through video telehealth interviews, has contacted the Sheriff’s Office to establish a reimbursement agreement for costs related to providing relevant medical records, including mental health and behavioral health records, and to coordinate telehealth video interviews of defendants who are awaiting entry to a DSH facility, and who are Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST) on a felony charge.
The DSH will provide the Sheriff’s Office with one-time startup funds of $5,000, based on a flat rate set by DSH, for reimbursement of information technology support, equipment, and software necessary to facilitate telehealth interviews such as laptops or tablets, and internet and associated licensing for necessary software in coordination with DSH. Reimbursements will be made for a portion of the Sheriff's Office custody staff time utilized to facilitate video telehealth interviews based on a flat rate of $1,000 per completed evaluation.
ALTERNATIVES
Failure to approve this action will result in the Sheriff's Office not being able to participate in this DSH program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the DSH documents.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this item. Reimbursement is from DSH to the Sheriff’s Office for each completed evaluation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety.
CONTACT
Undersheriff Bryan Golmitz.