REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 26, 2024
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Rehabilitation Alcohol Program as a Certified Agency for Driving Under the Influence Program Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Rehabilitation Alcohol Program, as a certified agency, for the provision of Driving Under the Influence program services for San Bernardino County, for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
2. Approve the Letter of Certification template for Driving Under the Influence Program in relation to the provision of services for the certified agency identified in Recommendation No. 1, effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
3. Authorize the Assistant Executive Officer or the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health to execute the Letter of Certification template with the certified agency identified in Recommendation No. 1, including any non-substantive changes to the Letter of Certification in relation to the provision of the Driving Under the Influence program services, for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, 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
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) will receive administrative fee revenue, generated by participants in the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) program, in an estimated amount of $246,605. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in DBH’s 2023-24 budget and will be included in the 2024-25 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH is responsible for providing mental health and/or substance use disorder (SUD) services to county residents who are experiencing severe mental illness and/or SUDs. DBH Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services (SUDRS) provides a full range of SUD prevention, treatment services and education for communities and residents in 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.
The California State Legislature enacted the DUI program in 1982, utilizing required education and counseling services for first time and repeat offenders in order to prevent the detrimental effects that drinking and driving have on the individual, family and community. DUI programs are licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and provide improved public health and safety on California highways by reducing the number of incidents while operating a motor vehicle that are caused by alcohol and drug use. The programs also assist in reducing the number of repeat DUI offenses by persons who complete a state-licensed DUI program while providing participants an opportunity to address problems related to the use of alcohol and/or other drugs.
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 DBH Director), by recommending DUI Providers, through Letters of Certification, to DHCS for licensure. Applicant DUI Providers must demonstrate 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 DBH Director to execute the Letter of Certification template with the individual certified agencies, including any non-substantive changes. This is requested as DBH needs the flexibility to make any non-substantive changes required by DHCS and have the Letter of Certifications in effect as soon as possible in order to avoid a gap in service and maintain compliance with participant service needs.
On April 30, 2019 (Item No. 29), the Board approved a list of certified agencies and the Letter of Certification template for DUI program services, for the period of July 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022. The template included the option of two one-year extensions contingent upon provider performance and compliance with program standards.
On September 13, 2022 (Item No. 17), the Board approved a list of certified agencies and the Letter of Certification template for DUI program services, for the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. The template included the option of two one-year extensions contingent upon provider performance and compliance with program standards.
On September 26, 2023 (Item No. 22), the Board approved a list of certified agencies and the Letter of Certification template for DUI program services, exercising the first of two one-year extensions, for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
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 $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.
DBH is requesting approval to execute the recommended Letter of Certification template retroactively for the Rehabilitation Alcohol Program. Due to an administrative oversight, this agency was not included in the previous item approved by the Board on September 26, 2023, which certified all current agencies.
PROCUREMENT
Procurement is not required for DUI services as the County’s current providers remain eligible to provide these services. DBH may only refer program certified agencies to the Board for approval.
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.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Lisa Rivas-Ordaz, Contracts Supervisor, 386-8264) on February 20, 2024; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 27, 2024; Finance (Christopher Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on March 7, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) March 11, 2024.