Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services
Subject: Additional Positions to Comply with CARE Act
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the addition of one permanent Full-time Mental Health Program Specialist; two new permanent full-time Psychiatric Social Workers/Marriage Family Therapists II; one new permanent full-time Peer Support Specialist; and one new permanent Full-time Legal Office Specialist to start on January 1, 2024.
body
BACKGROUND:
California Senate Bill 1338 established the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act to provide community-based behavioral health services and support to individuals living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders through a new civil court process. The CARE Act creates a civil court process and requires Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) to conduct assessments and create voluntary CARE agreements or court-ordered CARE plans that may include comprehensive treatment, housing, and supportive services for up to two years.
Additionally, Senate Bill 317 authorizes the court to divert a client to CARE Court upon finding a defendant incompetent to stand trial on a misdemeanor charge.
DISCUSSION:
BHRS is mandated to attend CARE Court proceedings, assess petitions for eligibility criteria and services needed, write evaluations, create CARE agreements or plans, and link to services detailed in the CARE agreements or plans.
In order to meet these requirements, the following additional positions are being requested:
? One Mental Health Program Specialist will provide programmatic and clinical supervision to both AOT and CARE programs; assist with court petitions for AOT and CARE Court and serve as an expert witness; investigate petitioned clients; write assessments ...
Click here for full text