The Health Services Department is requesting a one (1) year-extension for the temporary employment of retiree Assistant Director of Health Services Wendell Brunner. This past year, Dr. Brunner has been working with the Behavioral Health Division Director and Alcohol and Other Drug Services Director in planning for the Organized Delivery System required for the Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) Waiver. The DMC Waiver allows the Health Services Department to obtain additional State funding which will expand treatment and recovery services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). He was also heavily involved in administering Quality Improvement, Quality Management and Case Management system requirements. Prior to 2014-15, Dr. Brunner did an assessment of the Behavioral Health Division in order to identify opportunities that would integrate and streamline operations to promote a Behavioral Health System of Care, also required by the State DMC Waiver.
The DMC Waiver application and implementation process need to meet State timelines. Dr. Brunner’s experience and expertise in this process is critical to ensure that the County receives State funding in a timely manner. It is anticipated that in the next several months, there will be major activities in Health Services and the expanded service delivery will start. His role could be replaced by an outside consultant(s), however they would not have his knowledge of the Division, its leaders and the County’s System of Care.
If this action is not approved, discontinuing Dr. Brunner’s temporary employment as a temporary retiree hire will prevent the Division’s ability to begin the expanded services as soon as possible.