Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John L. Maltbie, County Manager
Carlos G. Bolanos, Sheriff
John T. Keene, Chief Probation Officer
Louise Rogers, Chief, Health System
Subject: Resolution to Sign on to the Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails
RECOMMENDATION:
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Presentation on the Stepping Up Initiative:
A) Adopt a resolution establishing the reduction of the number of people with mental illnesses in jails through jail diversion, programming and participation in the Stepping Up Initiative.
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BACKGROUND:
At its April 25, 2017 meeting, the Board of Supervisors designated the month of May 2017 as Mental Health Awareness Month and called upon residents, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools in San Mateo County to recommit to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and addiction, reducing stigma and discrimination, and promoting appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental health and substance use conditions.
Over the last five years, your Board has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the needs of the mentally ill by supporting the expansion of mental health and substance abuse services under the Affordable Care Act, implementing the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program (Laura’s Law), and opening two Mental Health Pods within the Maguire and Maple Street correctional facilities.
DISCUSSION:
Recognizing the critical role local and state officials play in supporting change, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, and the American Psychiatric Foundation (APF) have come together to lead the Stepping Up Initiative, a national initiative to help advance counties’ efforts to reduce the number of adults with mental and co-occurring substance use disorders in jails. With support from the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, the initiative will build on the many innovative and proven practices being implemented across the country. The initiative engages a diverse group of organizations with expertise on these issues, including those representing sheriffs, jail administrators, judges, community corrections professionals, treatment providers, people with mental illnesses and their families, mental health and substance use program directors, and other stakeholders.
The initiative is about creating a long-term, national movement to raise awareness of the factors contributing to the over-representation of people with mental illnesses in jails, and then using practices and strategies that work to drive those numbers down. As part of the call to action for Stepping Up, NACo and partners are calling on counties to pass a resolution or proclamation to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in the county jail.
Over 360 counties in the country have passed the Stepping Up resolution, including 29 California counties. The Boards of Supervisors of seven Bay Area counties have adopted the resolution.
Adopting this resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy and Safe Community by making a commitment to safely reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our county jail, and sharing resources and lessons learned with other counties in the state and across the country through the Stepping Up Initiative.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this recommendation.