REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 28, 2025
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award from the California Department of Health Care Services, Community Services Division, for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept award, in the amount of $21,162,766, from the California Department of Health Care Services, for the Community Services Division for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant, for the provision of prevention, treatment and recovery of substance use disorders, for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, to accept, execute and submit, if necessary, any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant, on behalf of San Bernardino County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, to transmit any subsequent non-substantive amendments in relation to the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Georgina Yoshioka, Director, 252-5142)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The $21,162,766 in Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUBG) funds do not require a local match. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) 2024-25 budget and will be included in the 2025-26 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services to county residents experiencing severe mental illness and/or SUD. An integral part of the SUD services delivered are those that address prevention, treatment, wellness, and recovery. The SUBG grant award from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will allow DBH to receive reimbursement for services provided to eligible clients for the prevention of, treatment of, and recovery from SUD.
DBH has provided SUD services through an intergovernmental agreement with DHCS since 1994. In 2022-23, the DBH SUD comprehensive continuum of treatment programs provided SUD treatment to 7,388 unduplicated clients. In addition, DBH provided tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus testing services to at-risk individuals through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Public Health. DBH Environmental Prevention Strategies and Services (EPSS) providers assisted with nine active coalitions throughout the county and participated in 55 speaking engagements, collected 4,801 surveys to assist with community-level risk assessments, disseminated 16,920 educational materials, and conducted 95 total trainings for communities within the county. EPSS utilize strategies and efforts to change the conditions within a community, including physical, social, or cultural factors that may lead to SUD, focusing on creating an environment that makes it easier for people to change their behavior regarding alcohol and/or drug use.
SUBG funds are utilized to plan, execute, and evaluate SUBG-authorized activities for the prevention and treatment of SUD in the county. In addition to providing countywide SUD treatment programs, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration requires that at least 25% of SUBG funds be spent on substance use primary prevention strategies. The remaining 75% is dedicated to the provision and administration of direct client services, such as Outpatient Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, Recovery Residences, Residential Treatment and Withdrawal Management, Recovery Services, and Community Based Recovery Service Centers. DBH is projected to serve 7,500 unduplicated clients per fiscal year, at an approximate cost of $1,401 per client.
Prevention and treatment strategies are aimed at advocating for change in community standards and attitudes that shape individuals’ behaviors by focusing on assisting individuals in developing the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to change their behavior regarding alcohol and/or drug use. DBH’s goal for prevention services is to prevent or reduce substance use and other behavioral health conditions among diverse youth, young adults, and other sub-groups at risk for developing SUD’s. Individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless may receive SUD treatment services through this grant along with a form of transitional housing throughout the recovery process, with the goal of securing permanent housing for the individuals being treated.
On June 11, 2024 (Item No. 29), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and authorized the DBH Director to execute and submit the grant renewal application documents to the DHCS, Community Services Division.
On June 19, 2024, DBH received a grant award notification from DHCS approving an amount of $5,305,692 ($2,652,846 annually). On August 27, 2024, DBH received a grant award notification from DHCS approving an amount of $15,857,074 ($7,928,537 annually). Due to an administrative error, this item was delayed in being presented to the Board for approval. This item is being presented at the first Board date available following required DBH program, fiscal, administrative and legal reviews. Approval of the grant award by the Board at this time will have no impact on DBH’s grant-related services and activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Lisa Rivas-Ordaz, Contracts Supervisor, 383-3940) on December 19, 2024; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 8, 2025; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on January 9, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on January 10, 2025.