Title
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.
Body
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 d...
Click here for full text