Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: 4/5
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Scott Gilman, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Memorandum of Understanding Between San Mateo County and the Cities of San Mateo, South San Francisco, Daly City and Redwood City
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) and the City of San Mateo; the City of South San Francisco; the City of Daly City; and the City of Redwood City (each, a City, and collectively referred to herein as the Cities); and each City’s respective Police Department, to develop a two-year pilot program to improve City and County response to community members experiencing mental health crisis (Pilot Program); and
B) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) accepting unanticipated revenue in the amount of $876,776 of which $408,388 will be from the Cities, and $468,388 will be from County Non-Departmental Reserves, for the Pilot Program addressing the response to mental health by the County and local law enforcement.
C) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) accepting Measure K funds in the amount of $468,388 into Non-Departmental Reserves to offset expenses for the Pilot Program.
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BACKGROUND:
Designed based on best practice models in other counties, states and countries, the Pilot Program will enhance law enforcement response to incidents involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, by supplementing that response with the engagement of a BHRS Clinician assigned to each partner Police Department. Each BHRS Clinician in partnership with the City and/or County will assist in the first response by providing early intervention, referrals to therapeutic hospitalizations, and guidance to support services for individuals in mental health crisis.
DISCUSSION:
The cities enter into this cooperative and reciprocal agreement with the County, acting through BHRS, for implementation of the Pilot Program to enhance law enforcement response to community members in mental health crisis. Law enforcement staff will be dispatched to the scene and a BHRS Clinician will simultaneously be dispatched to the scene in the event that a mental health crisis is suspected. The goal of the immediate response will be to de-escalate the crisis and to support the safety of the individual in crisis, those around the individual, and all responding to the incident. The BHRS Clinician will then assess the person suspected to be in mental health crisis (“the client”) and determine the best course of action (e.g., temporary mandatory placement in a medical facility for psychiatric evaluation and treatment under Section 5150 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, referral for treatment, etc.).
The County of San Mateo derives direct benefit from the implementation of this MOU, by way of, for example, increasing its ability to directly respond to community members in mental health crisis; enhancing response time for those in need of mental health services and resources; and creating a broader and more effective continuum of care that results in a decrease in justice system contacts.
In an effort to achieve a healthy and integrated community, this MOU represents a collaboration among the Parties to jointly exercise their common powers to enhance community linkages and help stabilize and improve the health and well-being of persons experiencing mental health crisis. Important outcomes include, but are not limited to: residential stability, improved mental health, reduced use of acute and emergency services, and reduced contact with the criminal justice system.
The MOU and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2020-21 Actual |
FY 2021-22 Projected |
|
Gardner Center will manage the performance measures on behalf of BHRS and the Cities |
N/A |
N/A |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the MOU is two years after the commencement of the Pilot Program. The maximum for FY 2020-21 is $876,776. Of this amount, it is anticipated that $408,388 or 47% will be funded by the Cities, and the remaining $468,388 or 53% will be funded by County Non-Departmental Services with an offset from Measure K funds.