FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the recommended Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program design would incur the funding obligations specified in Board Resolution No. 2015/9, dated February 3 2015; namely:
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 3, 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. Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services recently completed a stakeholder process that assisted in the development of an Assisted Outpatient Treatment program design. A community forum was held on February 26th to obtain stakeholder input, and three workgroup meetings were held on April 23rd, 30th and May 19th to provide input on design concepts, to discuss an initial draft design, and to provide input and edits that were utilized in developing a final draft. A wide variety of stakeholders and stakeholder group representatives participated in this community program planning process. The attached recommended program design adheres to the Board's program and funding parameters that were provided in the February 3rd 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 recommended program design follows statutory procedures as specified in Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 5345-9.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve the recommendations in this Board Order the County will not be able to implement Board Resolution No. 2015/9, and the status quo will be maintained.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
Speakers: Teresa Pasquini; Lauren Rettagliata; Joe Partansky. Douglas Dunn was unable to attend but provided written commentary (attached).