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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 227-2018, thereby authorizing the continuation of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program in County of El Dorado, also known as Laura’s Law, with an identified funding total of $34,862 in fiscal year 2018-2019 to fund costs related to HHSA's continuum of behavioral health services, for adults with severe mental illness; and
2) Find that no voluntary services shall be reduced as a result of the continuation of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program.
FUNDING: Funded with a blend of State AB109 Realignment funds (71%) and Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds (29%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002 (Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 5345 - 5349.4, also known as Laura’s Law) allows for categories of outpatient mental health services that have been ordered by a court.
On August 25, 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 141-2015, which allowed for the implementation of an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Pilot Program in the County of El Dorado through fiscal year 2017-2018, with a sunset date of July 31, 2018. (File ID: 15-0844: Agenda No. 20).
The County of El Dorado Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has established a continuum of behavioral health services for adults with severe mental illness. The Mental Health Services Act, passed in 2004, has allowed HHSA to expand this continuum of care through the implementation of the Intensive Case Management Team, Transitional Housing (T-House) Program, and the Wellness Center.
The implementation of the AOT Program expanded the availability of services for people with severe mental illness.
People eligible for the program are County of El Dorado residents, 18 years or older, and suffering from mental illness who are unlikely to remain safely in the community without supervision. In additi...
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