REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 24, 2024
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Letter of Certification Template for the Driving Under the Influence Program Service Providers
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve the Letter of Certification template for the Driving Under the Influence Program in relation to the provision of services provided by certified agencies for San Bernardino County, effective upon execution through September 30, 2029.
2. Authorize the Assistant Executive Officer or the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health to execute the Letter of Certification template with certified agencies, including any non-substantive changes to the Letter of Certification template, in relation to the provision of the Driving Under the Influence Program services, effective upon execution through September 30, 2029, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
(Presenter: Georgina Yoshioka, Director, 252-5142)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
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
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) will receive revenue, generated by participants in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) programs, estimated at $258,358 annually, which will partially offset the cost of administering this certification process. The remaining costs will be funded by 2011 Realignment revenue. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in DBH’s 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services to county residents experiencing severe mental illness and/or SUDs. DBH Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services provides a full range of SUD prevention, treatment services and education for communities and residents throughout the County through contracts with community-based organizations and County-operated clinics with the goal of promoting prevention, intervention, recovery and resiliency for individuals and families.
California enacted the DUI Program in 1982, requiring education and counseling services for first time and repeat offenders to prevent the detrimental effects that drinking and driving have on the individual, family, and community. DUI Programs - licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) - provide improved public health and safety on California highways by reducing the number of incidents, including traffic collisions and excessive speeding, while operating a motor vehicle that are caused by alcohol and drug use.
DHCS administers the DUI Program through its DUI Program Branch. The DUI Program Branch licenses and monitors all DUI programs statewide, establishes regulations, approves participant fees and fee schedules, and provides DUI information and technical assistance.
Although DHCS is responsible for licensing all DUI programs statewide, the licensing process begins with the Board of Supervisors (Board), in conjunction with the County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrator (the Director of DBH), by recommending DUI Program providers to DHCS for licensure. Applicant DUI Program providers must demonstrate the administrative, fiscal, and operational capabilities to operate a DUI Program; provide programs that are clean, safe, and free of alcohol or illicit drug use; and adhere to all applicable statutes and regulations. Following the review and approval process, DHCS issues a license for the provision of DUI services.
The Board has historically authorized the Assistant Executive Officer or the Director of DBH to execute the Letter of Certification template with the certified agencies, including any non-substantive changes that may be necessary. Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will allow DBH the flexibility to make any non-substantive changes required by DHCS and execute the Letter of Certifications as soon as possible to avoid a gap in service, which may occur when a location closes, maintain compliance with requirements, and meet participant service needs.
DBH ensures that all certified providers comply with Title 9, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3: Program for Alcohol and Drug-Impaired Drivers, and verifies that all agencies possess adequate administrative, fiscal, and operational capabilities to provide appropriate DUI services for county residents.
During 2022-23, 4,581 clients enrolled in the DUI Program, and 3,958 clients completed the DUI program requirements. DBH charges a one-time administrative fee for oversight and monitoring of the DUI Program providers at a rate of $43 per client. Successful clients who completed the DUI Program and met Department of Motor Vehicles and Court requirements were able to have their Driver’s License reinstated.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Lisa Rivas-Ordaz, Contracts Supervisor, 383-3940) on August 20, 2024; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 23, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on September 6, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) September 9, 2024.