Agenda

Return

D.5

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director
Date:	December 15, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Update on Implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (Laura’s Law) in Contra Costa County

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/15/2015

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:

Cynthia Belon, 957-5501

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 15, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT an report from the Behavioral Health Services Director that updates the progress on implementing the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program (Laura’s Law) in Contra Costa County.

DIRECT the Behavioral Health Services Director to proceed with the implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment in Contra Costa County.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Adoption of the progress report would incur the funding obligations specified in Board Resolution No. 2015/9, dated February 3 2015; namely:

FISCAL IMPACT: (CONT'D)

Health Services Mental Health:

No County General Fund impact; $2.25 million per year in Mental Health Services Act funding is contained within the Health Services Department for the next three years without reducing existing voluntary mental health program services.

Public Defender:

$133,500 in County General Funds is estimated for one part-time Public Defender III position and a part-time Legal Assistant position. The Department would need to monitor the workload and make adjustments either up or down after the first year.

County Counsel:

$157,000 in County General Funds is estimated for one half-time Senior Deputy Counsel and one half-time Senior Clerk position. The Department would need to monitor the workload and make adjustments either up or down after the first year.

Superior Court

$128,000 in County General Funds is estimated for 1.5 full-time equivalent staff positions required to support the estimated workload associated with 37 cases as an extension of the current Lanterman Petris Short (LPS) court calendar. The Board of Supervisors has authorized the budget to support this staffing level for one year only in order to more accurately determine workload

BACKGROUND:

On February 3d 2015 Contra Costa Board of Supervisors adopted resolution No. 2015/9 to direct the implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (Laura’s Law) for a three year period and directed the Health Services Department to develop a program design with stakeholder participation, and comply with MHSA statutory requirements for a community program planning process.

On June 16 2015 Contra Costa Board of Supervisors accepted the recommended Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program Design of the Behavioral Health Services Director for implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (Laura’s Law) in Contra Costa County and authorized and directed the Behavioral Health Services Director to proceed with implementation. The recommended program design adheres to the Board's program and funding parameters that were provided in the February 3d Board resolution, and calls for up to $2.25 million annually in MHSA funds for outreach and engagement, assessment and Assertive Community Treatment, or ACT, for up to 75 individuals. The program design follows statutory procedures as specified in Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 5345-9.

In July, August and September 2015 county positions were requested and filled to provide AOT assessment and eligibility, proposals were solicited from prospective contractors to provide outreach and engagement and ACT program services, and planning meetings were conducted with the Health Services Communications Office, and leadership from County Counsel, Sheriff’s Office, Public Defender and Superior Court.

Mental Health Systems, Inc. was selected has the provider for outreach, engagement and ACT treatment services, and started on contract in October 2015. Via competitive bid process Resource Development Associates was selected as the evaluator for the AOT program, and started on contract November 2015.

Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services is proceeding with fidelity to the approved AOT Program Design, and is meeting regularly with all participating entities in order to develop day-to-day working relationships and work flow protocols. Currently Mental Health Systems, Inc. is in the process of hiring and training their multi-disciplinary team and the Health Services’ Communications Office is finalizing web designs and brochures.

An Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Workgroup consisting of community stakeholder representatives has met throughout 2015 to assist in providing input in both the construction of the program design, and to weigh in on key decision points. The AOT Workgroup last met in November 2015 to receive an update on implementation progress, provide input on program communication materials, and to consider various factors that influence program initiation.

The Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services Director now estimates that the AOT program will start accepting referrals and provide care by early 2016.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Board of Supervisors and the public will not receive an update on the progress being made toward implementing Laura's Law.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Not applicable.