COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

 

DATE:

May 5, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 11, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Health Services

Gale Bataille, Director of Mental Health Services

SUBJECT:

Resolution Creating a Mental Health Peer Counselor Salary Rate

 

Recommendation

Approve a resolution creating a Mental Health Peer Counselor salary rate.

 

Background

On April 6, 2004 the Board of Directors of the Peninsula Network of Mental Health Clients (PNMHC) was given a 30-day contract termination notice because of significant concerns related to their fiscal/management performance. On April 23, the Board of PNMHC declined the County's offer to work with the organization to move the contract to a fiscal intermediary that would also be responsible for providing PNMHC with technical support to develop improved fiscal and general management processes. Therefore, on May 6th the County's contract with PNMHC was terminated.

 

Discussion

The Health Services Agency is committed to maintaining the client services that were provided by PNMHC at two drop in centers located in County Mental Health Clinics (Daly City and San Mateo) as well as social support activities such as "movie nights" that were operated by PNMHC. The development of a Peer Counselor salary rate will enable the Mental Health Services Division to hire part-time Peer Counselors as extra-help employees to provide program coordination and peer support services. Part-time Peer Counselors and a Program Coordinator who were formerly employees of the PNMHC will be offered these positions to provide continuity in services and to minimize the impact of the termination of the contract on these former employees.

 

Once current services are stabilized, Mental Health Services will convene a process with mental health stakeholders, including the Mental Health Board, mental health consumers and family members to plan for new client operated services. It is anticipated that a Request For Proposal would be developed and issued during the July-August 2004 period and that a recommendation to contract for consumer self-help and recovery services will be brought to your Board by October 2004.

 

Vision Alignment

Creating a salary rate for "Mental Health Peer Counselor" is aligned with the County's Shared Vision to "ensure basic health and safety for all" as stated in Goal number 8. "Help vulnerable people--...including mentally ill, at risk youth and others-achieve a better quality of life" through assuring the continuity of self help and peer recovery services.

 

Fiscal Impact

Expenses related to hiring extra-help Peer Counselors and maintaining social activities and drop in center operations were included in the contract with the PNMHC in the 2003-04 approved budget. With the termination of this contract, unexpended funds will be applied to staff and activities described above. The 2004-05 recommended budget will continue this funding at the prior-year level.