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 the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept grant award from the California Department of Health Care Services, Community Services Division, for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, in the amount of $10,466,146, for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, as the County Mental Health Director, to execute any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the grant award for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, as required by the California Department of Health Care Services, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, as the County Mental Health Director, to transmit any subsequent non-substantive amendments in relation to the Community Mental Health 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 grant award of $10,466,146 ($5,233,073 annually), administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is funded through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG). The MHBG award does not require a local match. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the 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 San Bernardino County (county) residents experiencing severe mental illness and/or SUD. The MHBG grant funding which will allow DBH to continue providing behavioral health services to adults living with a chronic behavioral health disorder and to children diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance (SED).
DBH has been a recipient of MHBG funds since 1982. The proposed allocation from Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the two-year agreement period will allow DBH to continue providing behavioral health services to children with an SED and adults experiencing severe behavioral health condition and/or co-occurring disorder by utilizing the annual award as follows:
1. Children’s System of Care program (Juvenile Justice Community Reintegration) - DBH partners with the Probation Department to assist detained minors and those re-entering the community by providing quality assessment and treatment interventions tailored to meet their behavioral health needs. Services include case management, home and school visits, counseling, and linkage to other needed academic and job-related services.
• 2024-25: $478,103 to serve an estimated 255 SED children at an average cost of $1,875 per child.
• 2025-26: $498,741 to serve an estimated 255 SED children at an average cost of $1,956 per child.
2. Adult System of Care - Residential Programs (Adult Continuing Care Program Long Term Care); Enhanced Board and Care; Adult Criminal Justice; Housing Solutions Program; Premier Program; Triage, Engagement and Support Teams; and Placement After Stabilization - DBH partners with other community agencies in the county to assist adults at-risk of long-term institutionalization or acute psychiatric hospitalization, adults that have been discharged from locked facilities, or adults involved in the criminal justice system. DBH provides appropriate placement and/or intensive behavioral health services, including case management and individual treatment services, with a focus on successful reintegration into the community, while assisting them in achieving their optimal level of self-sufficiency and independence in both residential placement and outpatient treatment settings.
• 2024-25: $3,919,167 to serve an estimated 1,065 adults at an average cost of $3,680 per adult.
• 2025-26: $3,874,125 to serve an estimated 1,065 adults at an average cost of $3,638 per adult.
3. Adult System of Care programs target at-risk adults with co-occurring disorders, which may include involvement in the criminal justice system (Co-Occurring Residential Care and Therapeutic Alliance Program). These programs serve adults with behavioral health and/or co-occurring disorder treatment needs through individual and family driven services addressing the disparity and gaps in behavioral health services with the goal of decreasing hospitalization and incarceration.
• 2024-25: $835,803 to serve an estimated 130 adults at an average cost of $6,429 per adult.
• 2025-26: $860,207 serve an estimated 130 adults at an average cost of $6,617 per adult.
On June 3, 2024, DHCS notified DBH of the release of the State Fiscal Year 2024-26 Planning Estimate and Renewal application instructions for the non-competitive MHBG.
On July 23, 2024 (Item No. 23), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved DBH’s submission of the SAMHSA and MHBG renewal application to DHCS in the amount of $10,466,146, for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
On September 16, 2024, DBH received the grant award notice from DHCS approving DBH’s SAMHSA and MHBG application in the amount of $10,466,146, for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. 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 the 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
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health (Lisa Rivas-Ordaz, Contracts Supervisor, 383-3940) on December 19, 2024; County Counsel (Charles Phan, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 27, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 388-8392) on January 9, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on January 10, 2025.