COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Health System

DATE:

October 20, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 10, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System

Judith Schutzman, Chair, Mental Health Board

Louise Rogers, 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 2008-09

BACKGROUND:

The Mental Health Board (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 your Board 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 your Board.

DISCUSSION:

The FY 2008-09 MHB Annual Report presents an overview of the MHB’s membership, agendas and program presentations, activities and accomplishments, as well as priorities for FY 2009-10.

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

During FY 2008-09 the MHB addressed priorities that included continued community outreach by holding MHB meetings in Pacifica, Redwood City and at Cordilleras Mental Health Center; and participation in a variety of mental health and community meetings and events, including meetings of the Daly City Partnership and the One East Palo Alto Mental Health Committee, Daly City ACCESS and its H.A.R.T. program. Additional priorities that were addressed include: provision of leadership and participation in the implementation phase of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) “Community Services and Supports” as well as in community planning for Prevention/Early Intervention and Workforce Education and Training Services; site visits to County programs and community based providers; presentation of Consumer Hall of Fame awards in November 2008; sponsorship of the annual Tony Hoffman Community Service Awards; attendance at various mental health-focused conferences; and site visits to various providers and programs throughout the County.

MHB priorities for FY 2009-10 include: assessing needs and priorities of individuals with mental illness and co-occurring disorders and their families with a particular focus on unserved and underserved populations; collaborating with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) staff, consumers and family members/parents in leadership skill development; participating in the County’s “Youth Development Initiative,” to increase the voice of transition age youth in MHB activities; supporting and monitoring the organizational transition of BHRS to insure that there is a continuing commitment to effective services for youth, adults and older adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use problems; focusing on new MHB member orientation and team building; stigma reduction through continuous public education; budget advocacy with emphasis on the positive outcomes of the MHSA; and, providing education to this Board and to the public on mental health parity laws, and develop strategies to ensure parity.

The MHB appreciates the long-term leadership and commitment of your Board 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.

The MHB contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by advising the Board of Supervisors and the Director of BHRS 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. It is anticipated that fifty percent of MHB members will be consumers, or the parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children of consumers.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

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

50%

50%

FISCAL IMPACT:

Regular functions of the MHB are budgeted at a maximum of $15,000, which is included in the BHRS FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget. These costs are 100% funded by realignment. There is no Net County Cost.