Title
Adopt the Monterey County FY 2023-24 thru FY 2025-26 Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
Adopt the Monterey County FY 2023-24 thru FY 2025-26 Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan.
SUMMARY:
The Mental Health Services Act (“MHSA”), also known as Proposition 63, requires each county in California to develop a Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan (“MHSA 3-Year Plan”.) The MHSA 3-Year Plan consists of several reports on FY 2021-22 activities, as well as an expenditure plan and descriptions of the services to be funded by the MHSA for FY 2023-24 thru FY 2025-26. Counties are also required to prepare Annual Updates during the second and third years of the 3-Year Plan period. Local stakeholder input and other data are used in the development of these draft MHSA 3-Year Plan and Annual Update documents. After a local public review and comment process, each document is finalized for adoption by the Board of Supervisors before being forwarded to the State Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the Department of Health Care Services.
DISCUSSION:
The Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau (Behavioral Health) began the local process in compliance with the MHSA Community Program Planning Process requirements in the summer of 2022 in collaboration with the Monterey County Behavioral Health Commission (the Commission) and Board of Supervisors. Behavioral Health contracted with EVALCORP, a professional evaluation company, to support assessing behavioral and mental health needs in communities throughout Monterey County. Between October 2022 and January 2023, Behavioral Health utilized two surveys designed explicitly for Providers and another for Community Members, focus groups, and listening sessions for community input and feedback. EVALCORP collected and analyzed the feedback from the focus groups, listening sessions, 140 responses from Providers, and 646 responses from community members. The data collected through these initiatives is included in Appendices to the MHSA 3-Year Plan document.
This MHSA 3-Year Plan aligns with Behavioral Health’s Adopted Budget for FY 2022-23 and includes currently funded Community Services & Supports, Prevention & Early Intervention and Innovation components carried out by county and contract provider staff. The expenditure plan includes transfers of an allowable portion of funds to the Capital Facilities & Technological Needs and Workforce Education & Training components to address immediate and future infrastructure needs of county facilities as well as mental health workforce incentives such as loan forgiveness and continuing education for county and contract provider staff. Due to the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 public health crisis and the associated economic crisis, this MHSA 3-Year Plan reflects a conservative budgeting approach, including strategies to ensure Behavioral Health is not at risk for fund reversion. As the MHSA is funded by tax revenues, we continue to closely monitor planned expenditures and will make any necessary adjustments accordingly in a future “Mid-Year Adjustment” document, potentially drawing upon local Prudent Reserve funds, which assures sustained compliance with State regulations.
The draft MHSA 3-Year Plan was translated into Spanish, posted on the County website, and distributed via email and social media to local stakeholders and other community partners for the required 30-day (April 24 through May 25) public comment period. The draft MHSA 3-Year Plan was initially presented to the Commission at their meeting on May 25. On May 25, the Commission conducted a Public Hearing, receiving the Summary of Recommendations submitted during the public comment period, as well as to hear additional public comments from those present at the Public Hearing. At the close of the Public Hearing, the Commission approved the draft MHSA 3-Year Plan for forwarding to the Board of Supervisors for adoption. This final MHSA 3-Year Plan document reflects several minor corrections where indicated, as well as the summary of recommendations and other comments received during the Public Hearing.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals: 1) Empower the community to improve health through programs, policies, and activities; and 2) Enhance community health and safety by emphasizing prevention. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 9) Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The draft Monterey County FY 2023-24 thru FY 2025-26 Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan document has been reviewed by the Monterey County Behavioral Health Commission and is recommended for adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
FINANCING:
There are no impacts on the County General Fund associated with this recommended action.
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: Shannon Castro, Management Analyst III, 755-4510
Approved by:
______________________________ Date ___________________
Joseph Macaluso, Assistant Director of Health, 809-4790
On behalf of Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Monterey County FY 23-26 Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan
Appendices I-IV