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C.105

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Supervisor Candace Andersen and Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston
Date:	December 8, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

“Stepping Up" to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/08/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Jill Ray, (925) 957-8860

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 8, 2015
,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2015/456 to affirm County's commitment to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our County jails, commit to sharing lessons learned with other counties in our state and across the country to support a national initiative, and encourage all county officials, employees, and residents to participate in the "Stepping Up" initiative.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

The National Association of Counties (NACo), the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) have come together to lead a national initiative to help advance counties’ efforts to reduce the number of adults with mental and co-occurring substance use disorders in jails. With support from the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, the initiative will build on the many innovative and proven practices being implemented across the country.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

In May 2015, NACo and partners at the CSG Justice Center and APAF launched Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails and announced a Call to Action demonstrating strong county and state leadership and a shared commitment to a multi-step planning process that can achieve concrete results for jails in counties of all sizes. As part of this Call to Action, county elected officials are being asked to pass a resolution and work with other leaders (e.g., the sheriff, judges, district attorney, treatment providers, and state and local policymakers), people with mental illnesses and their advocates, and other stakeholders to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails.

Stepping Up participants receive an online resources toolkit to assist with efforts, including a series of webinars, exercises and related distance-learning opportunities; peer-to-peer exchanges; and key resources from initiative partners. The online toolkit includes self-assessment checklists and information to assist counties in identifying how much progress they have already made and a planning template to help county teams develop data-driven strategies that are tailored to local needs.

In support of Stepping Up, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APA Foundation) are hosting a National Summit on Reducing the Prevalence of Individuals with Mental Illnesses in Jails (National Summit). The National Summit will be held Sunday, April 17, 2016 – Tuesday, April 19, 2016 in Washington, D.C.

Today's action affirms the commitment of Contra Costa County to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our County jails as part of the Stepping Up Initiative.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Contra Costa County will not adopt a formal resolution stating its commitment to participating in the Stepping Up Initiative.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

No impact.