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FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	09/24/2018
Subject: Public Mental Health Care Systems; Child and Teen Psychiatric Services; and Grand Jury Report No. 1703
Submitted For:	Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Department:	Health Services
Referral No.:	115/116
Referral Name:	Public Mental Health Care System
Presenter:	Matthew P. White, M.D.; Barbara Serwin, Chair, Mental Health Commission	Contact:	Warren Hayes (925) 957-2616

Information

Referral History:

On October 30, 2017 the Family and Human Services Committee accepted the report from the Health Services Department addressing various mental health service issues and concerns raised by the Family and Human Services Committee, the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Commission’s White Paper, the Civil Grand Jury, and members of the public. These issues and concerns centered upon the difficulty in accessing mental health care, particularly for children and youth experiencing serious emotional disturbances. Indicative to this lack of access was the 1) increase in Psychiatric Emergency Services visits, 2) long wait times to access care, and 3) shortage of clinical staff, especially psychiatrists. The Health Services Department report addressed these issues and concerns, and reported upon the initiatives and progress made to date.

The Family and Human Services Committee asked the Department to provide an update to the Mental Health Commission in six months, and to the Family and Human Services Committee thereafter.

Referral Update:

The Department has complied by meeting with the Mental Health Commission regarding these issues on several occasions in 2018. The attached report summarizes the most current update, and articulates a partnership plan between the Department and the Commission to work together going forward to resolve these issues.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

ACCEPT the joint update report from Behavioral Health Services and the Mental Health Commission on the public mental health care system, child and teen psychiatric services, and Civil Grand Jury Report No. 1703.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

There is no fiscal impact.

Attachments
Joint Behavioral Health Services and Mental Health Commission Report
Mental Health Commission Response to BHS Update to Civil Grand Jury Report 1703 and FHS Referrals on the Public Mental Health System
Civil Grand Jury Report 1703 "Mental Health Services for At Rick Children in CCC"
BOS Response to Grand Jury Report 1703