REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 11, 2024
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Renewal Application for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of the grant renewal application to the California Department of Health Care Services, Community Services Division, in the amount of $21,162,766, 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, as the County Mental Health Director, to execute and submit the grant renewal application documents, including any subsequent non-substantive application documents, for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery 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 the grant renewal application, including any subsequent non-substantive application documents, 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
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
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 proposed allocation amount of $21,162,766 is funded through the federal Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUBG). The SUBG funds do not require a local match. The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to request acceptance of the SUBG grant, if awarded.
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. An integral part of the service delivery system consists of SUD services that include prevention, treatment, wellness, and recovery. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) administers the SUBG. The grant renewal application to the DHCS for SUBG funding will allow DBH to be reimbursed by the SUBG for SUD services provided to eligible clients for the prevention and 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 2022-23, through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Public Health, DBH provided tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus testing services to at-risk individuals. Environmental Prevention Strategies and Services 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 95 total trainings to communities. Environmental Prevention Strategies and Services utilizes 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 act in healthy ways.
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 no less than 25% of SUBG funds be spent on substance use primary prevention strategies. Some of the services provided are Environmental Prevention Strategies and Services; Early Intervention, Outpatient Treatment, Intensive Outpatient and Recovery services; and Community Based Recovery Service Centers.
Prevention 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 substance use disorders. Individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless may receive substance use disorder 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 May 7, 2024, DHCS released instructions for completion of the grant application documents with a submission deadline of June 7, 2024. DBH requested and received an extension of this deadline to June 14, 2024. DHCS has directed the DBH Director, as the County Mental Health Plan Director responsible for the administration of the County’s mental health services, to execute and submit the SUBG grant application.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Natalie Kessee, Contracts Manager, 388-0869) on May 31, 2024; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 31, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on May 31, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on May 31, 2024.