Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 132-2026, which delegates authority to the HHSA Director, or Chief Assistant Director, to execute future funding out agreements, using the Community Funding Assistance funding-out template (Attachment A to Resolution), for a term of one-year and maximum obligation of $5,000 per Fiscal Year (FY) per agreement, during FYs 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29, inclusive of amendments thereto that do not extend the term or increase the maximum obligation of the agreements, contingent upon final approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, as applicable.
FUNDING: 100% Behavioral Health Services Act Funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On June 23, 2026, the Board approved the BHSA Three-Year Integrated Plan (IP) for FY 2026-27 through FY 2028-29 (Legistar file 26-0751). The approved plan includes Behavioral Health Services and Supports and Workforce Education and Training (WET) activities, with a portion of WET funding to include the Community Education Initiative (CEI). CEI is designed to expand access to behavioral health education throughout El Dorado County by training and certifying local instructors to deliver evidence-based courses such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and safeTALK. These programs will be tailored to priority populations identified in the BHSA IP and aligned with statewide behavioral health goals, with a focus on rural residents, youth, older adults, veterans, and tribal communities.
MHFA is an evidence-based training program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges, increases understanding of their impacts, and provides an overview of common treatment options. Participants who complete MHFA earn a certification valid for three years. The curriculum, developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, covers identifying risk factors and warning signs for various mental health conditions; understanding the prevalence and stigma associated with mental illness; learning an action plan for evaluating situations and providing support; and becoming familiar with available mental health resources. SafeTALK, developed by LivingWorks, is a four-hour, evidence-based suicide alertness training that equips participants to recognize when someone may be thinking of suicide and to connect them with further help. The course uses a simple, practical model designed to empower community members to intervene effectively.
The CEI Program includes BHSA-funded opportunities for individuals seeking to become certified instructors or for current providers wishing to expand service delivery within the County. To administer this funding, the Behavioral Health Division will implement an annual informal application and award process during FYs 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 to select qualified grantees for funding-out agreements. Grantees may receive up to $5,000 per FY and may earn no more than one certification per year. To expedite the processing of the funding-out agreements necessary for community members to contract with the County, HHSA is recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Resolution, which delegates signature authority to the HHSA Director or Chief Assistant Director to execute the resulting agreements utilizing Attachment A. This delegation will allow HHSA to implement the CEI Program in a timely manner and avoid the need to return to the Board for approval of each individual agreement. Using BHSA funding, grantees will complete MHFA or safeTALK instructor certification and provide eight-hour training sessions to residents countywide. HHSA recommends approval of this item to support expanded access to these evidence-based trainings and strengthen the County’s capacity to respond to behavioral health needs.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would be unable to implement the CEI program without taking the individual contracts to the Board for approval.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
06/23/2026 Legistar file 26-0751, HHSA BHSA FY 2026/27-FY 2028/29 Integrated Plan
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the FY 2026-27 budget request and will be included in future budgets to align with the Board approved BHSA Integrated Plan Annual Updates or Intermittent Update budgeted allotments for this project.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Resolution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency