Title
Approve the “Rainbow Connections” Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation Plan.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
Approve the “Rainbow Connections” Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation Plan.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Mental Health Services Act (“MHSA”), formerly known as Proposition 63, was approved by California voters in 2004 and is funded by a 1% sales tax on personal incomes greater than $1 million per year. In accordance with Welfare and Institution Code (“WIC”) Section 5892, 5% of MHSA funds received by counties must be allocated to Innovation projects. The MHSA Innovation component aims to pilot novel projects capable of transforming the mental health system, per the requirements set forth in WIC Section 5830. Funding under the Innovation component may only be utilized for Innovation Plans approved by the county Board of Supervisors and the State Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. Local stakeholder input and other data are used in the development of each Innovation Plan. After a public review and comment process, which culminates with a Public Hearing conducted by the Behavioral Health Commission, the finalized Innovation Plan must be adopted by the Board of Supervisors for Innovation funds to be spent. Unspent Innovation funds are subject to reversion, per WIC Section 5892(h), if the county has not encumbered Innovation funds within three-years of distribution.
DISCUSSION:
The “Rainbow Connections” MHSA Innovation Plan has been informed by local stakeholder input gathered during the community program planning process. It reflects the identified priority needs and system improvements to serve residents with mental health challenges and their families, with an intentional focus on increased access for unserved and underserved cultural populations in Monterey County, and promotion of interagency communication and collaboration to result in improved outcomes. Rainbow Connections will encumber FY 2020-21 through FY 2023-24 Innovation funds of which $596,191 are subject to reversion if the plan is not adopted by June 30, 2023.
As required by MHSA regulations, the draft Innovation Plan was circulated and posted for a thirty-day public comment period beginning March 17 and concluding on April 17, 2023. On May 4, the Monterey County Behavioral Health Commission (“Commission”) conducted a Public Hearing via ZOOM on the draft Innovation Plan, which included a presentation, a summary of comments received, and the staff response to those comments. The Commission received additional comments from those attending the Public Hearing before voting to adopt the “Rainbow Connections” MHSA Innovation Plan to include the public comments, staff responses, and the Commission Meeting Minutes, and to forward the final document to the Board of Supervisors for adoption.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 strategic plan initiatives: 2. enhance community health and safety by emphasizing prevention; and 3. ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 3. inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The “Rainbow Connections” plan total costs are estimated at $7,883,562.68 over 5 fiscal years, beginning in FY 2023-24 through FY 27-28. For FY 2023-24, estimated costs are $1,691,876.89 and were included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau FY 2023-24 (Fund 023, Unit 8410, Appr. HEA012) Requested Budget. Future costs will be included in the corresponding fiscal year’s requested budget.
FINANCING:
The “Rainbow Connections” plan total costs are estimated at $7,883,562.68 over 5 fiscal years, beginning in FY 2023-24 through FY 27-28. For FY 2023-24, estimated costs are $1,691,876.89 and were included in the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau FY 2023-24 (Fund 023, Unit 8410, Appr. HEA012) Requested Budget. Future costs will be included in the corresponding fiscal year’s requested budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Wesley Schweikhard, Management Analyst II, 755-4856
Approved by:
______________________________ Date ________________________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Innovation Project Plan