COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

 

DATE:

November 16, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 27, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

   

FROM:

Judith Schutzman, Chair, Mental Health Board

 

Charlene Silva, Director of Health

 

Gale Bataille, Director, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

   

SUBJECT:

Mental Health Board Annual Report to Board of Supervisors

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Accept the Mental Health Board Annual Report for FY 2006-07.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people—the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at risk youth, and others—achieve a better quality of life.

 

The Mental Health Board (MHB) contributes to this commitment and goal by advising the Board of Supervisors and the local Mental Health Director regarding County mental health needs, services, special problems and outcomes of mental health services. This Annual Report provides information about the MHB’s priorities and activities.

 

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2006-07 Actual

FY 2007-08 Projected

    Minimum percentage of MHB members who are consumers or the parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children of consumers (State criteria).

50%

50%

 

BACKGROUND:

The MHB is mandated by the California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 5604, to ensure citizen and professional involvement in planning processes regarding the mental health system of care and to advise the Board of Supervisors and the local Mental Health Director regarding County mental health needs, services, special problems and outcomes of mental health services. The MHB is also required to submit an Annual Report to the Board of Supervisors.

 

DISCUSSION:

The FY 2006-07 MHB Annual Report presents an overview of the MHB’s membership, agendas and program presentations, activities and accomplishments, as well as priorities for FY 2007-08.

 

The MHB consists of 18 members: 15 members appointed pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 5604; two Youth Commissioners; and a Board of Supervisors member. Supervisor Richard Gordon continues to serve as the Board of Supervisors representative to the MHB.

 

During FY 2006-07 the MHB addressed priorities that included continued community outreach through participation in community collaborative meetings in Daly City and South San Francisco and various activities of East Palo Alto’s mental health committee, provision of leadership in implementation of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Community Services and Supports plan, site visits to County programs and community based providers, sponsorship of a public forum on Recognizing and Overcoming Depression in Older Adults, participation in a variety of mental health and community meetings and events, sponsorship of the annual Tony Hoffman Community Service Awards in May, attendance at various mental health-focused conferences, and planning for and participating in a MHB retreat that took place in April.

 

MHB priorities for FY 2007-08 include: assess needs and priorities of individuals with mental illness and their families with a particular focus on unserved and underserved populations, conduct community outreach through holding MHB meetings in Redwood City and South San Francisco, collaborate with Mental Health staff to plan and implement a mental health consumer and family member/parent leadership skill development program, participate in the County Youth Development Initiative and develop strategies/programs to increase the voice of transition age youth in the activities of the MHB, support and monitor the organizational transition of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division including participation in selection of a new division director, participate in planning and implementation of additional components of the Mental Health Services Act including Prevention/Early Intervention, and continue to build a strong and effective MHB through new member orientation, mentoring, and team building.

 

The MHB appreciates the long-term leadership and commitment of the San Mateo Board of Supervisors in sustaining vital mental health services. The MHB will continue to support this commitment by advocating for effective comprehensive services and support for our most vulnerable and disabled residents.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

Regular functions of the MHB are budgeted at a maximum of $15,000, which is included in the Mental Health Services FY 2007-08 Adopted Budget. This cost is paid through Realignment revenues. There is no Net County Cost.