BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
California Administrative Code, Title 9, Section 620 provides the qualifications necessary to be considered for appointment as the local director of mental health services where the local mental health director is other than the local health officer or medical administrator of the county hospital.
The Mental Health Director of the Behavioral Health Division and local director of mental health services under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5607 resigned in December of 2013. After careful consideration and review, the Director of Health Services has determined that it is not necessary to recruit to fill the Mental Health Director vacancy at this time. The current Assistant Health Services Director, Cynthia Belon, possesses the required license and experience required under Title 9, Section 620(c) to be designated as the local director of mental health services. Ms. Belon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a masters degree in social work with for than five years of experience providing mental health services within an outpatient community mental health setting, managing an inpatient hospital-based program for adolescents and managing mental health services provided within a community-based organization. In addition, Ms. Belon has experience providing clinical supervision to LCSW's and Marriage and Family Therapist interns. She has been the Assistant Director of Health Services for the Contra Costa County in the Health Services Department Behavioral Health Division for the past two and a half years.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If Ms. Belon is not appointed as the local director of mental health services, the County will not be in compliance with Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 5607, which in part states, "The local mental health services shall be administered by a local director of mental health services to be appointed by the governing body....."
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not Applicable
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
Speakers: Samuel S. Yoghioko, resident of Pleasant Hill; Colette O'Keefe, M.D, resident of Concord; Lori Hefner, resident of Pleasant Hill; Douglas Dunn, Resident of Antioch; Kathi McLaughlin, resident of Martinez; Connie Steers, resident of Concord.
APPROVED the designation of Assistant Director of Health Services, Cynthia Belon, as the local mental director of mental health services for Contra Costa County pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5607.