REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 19, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Employment Contract Templates for Behavioral Health Physicians and Add Positions for the Provision of Behavioral Health Services at the County Detention Facilities
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve standard employment contract template for the following positions, to support the provision of mental health services at the detention centers, from May 30, 2026 through May 25, 2029, with the option to extend the term for a maximum of three successive one-year periods:
a. Behavioral Health Physician I, Per Diem, Professional Unit, Range P1
b. Behavioral Health Physician II, Per Diem, Professional Unit, Range P2
c. Behavioral Health Physician III, Per Diem, Professional Unit, Range P3
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Assistant Sheriff to execute individual employment contracts for the classifications identified in Recommendation No. 1.
3. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Assistant Sheriff to execute amendments to the contracts referenced in Recommendation No. 1, to extend the term for a maximum of three consecutive one-year periods, on behalf of the County, subject to County Counsel review.
4. Authorize the addition of the following positions, effective May 31, 2026:
a. One Behavioral Health Medical Director, Unclassified Exempt Unit, R119C ($345,716.80 - 498,617.60 annually).
b. Six and a half Behavioral Health Physician III, Professional Unit, P3 ($354,640.00 - $420,638.40 annually).
c. Nine Nurse Practitioner II, Nurses Unit, Group 1 ($128,086.40 - $168,084.80 annually).
d. One Deputy Director of Behavioral Health Program Services, Unclassified Exempt Unit, R83C ($145,246.40 - $208,332.80 annually).
e. Five Mental Health Program Manager I, Management Unit, R66C ($95,742.40 - $131,747.20 annually).
f. One Supervising Correctional Nurse I, Nurse Supervisor and Management Unit, R77C ($128,460.80 - $177,132.80 annually).
g. Twenty-two Correctional Nurse II, Nurses Unit, Group 2 ($113,422.40 - $148,782.40 annually).
h. Fifty-four Clinical Therapist II, Professional Unit, R60 ($80,683.20 - $114,046.40 annually).
i. Five Social Worker II, Administrative Services Unit, R47 ($59,217.60 - $81,244.80 annually).
j. Two Law and Justice Office Specialist, Clerical Unit, R38 ($47,486.40 - $65,228.80 annually).
k. Two Law and Justice Office Assistant, Clerical Unit, R32A ($41,537.60 - $57,054.40 annually).
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The cost to provide behavioral health services with County staff is $27,694,952, of which $25,192,663 is funded within the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) current budget allocation. The Department submitted a funding request for the remaining portion of $2,502,289 as part of the 2026-27 budget cycle, of which $2,052,876 would be funded by one-time Assembly Bill 109 funding and $449,413 in ongoing Discretionary General Funding. The Department will include a funding request for the unfunded portion of $2,052,876 as part of the 2027-28 budget process.
Sufficient appropriation is included in the Department’s 2025-26 budget to cover one pay period of staffing expenses.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Title 15, California Code of Regulations, Article 11 identifies the responsibility of the Department to provide medical, mental health, and dental care for correctional patients. Correctional mental health services are defined as actions taken for the mental well-being of the inmate population, including a range of diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up services with the goals of improving clinical outcomes and stabilizing patients to their highest level of wellness so they may successfully integrate into the community upon release.
Since 2016, the Department has contracted with Liberty Healthcare Corporation (Liberty) for the provision of comprehensive correctional mental health and programming services to address the mental health needs of inmates incarcerated in the County’s correctional facilities. On January 2, 2026, Liberty provided the Department with a six-month notice of contract cancellation, effective July 8, 2026. The Department will begin to transition the services upon approval of this item.
The Department is recommending approval of new employment contract templates for the Behavioral Health Physician (BHP) I, II and III Per Diem positions. To ensure these critical contract positions are filled expeditiously when a qualified candidate is found, authorization for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Assistant Sheriff to execute contracts with new BHP I, II, and III, Per Diem candidates is requested.
The Department worked closely with Human Resources and the County Administrative Office to develop an organizational structure intended to support a successful transition and continuity of care. Approval of this item will result in the addition of 114.0 full-time equivalent positions (108.5 regular positions; 5.5 contract positions) to ensure the continued provision of mental health services to inmates while fulfilling all legal obligations. The additional positions will enhance departmental oversight, strengthen operational control, and mitigate potential liability.
Further, the Department requests authorization for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Assistant Sheriff to execute amendments to the BHP I, II, and III, Per Diem contracts to extend the individual terms for a maximum of three consecutive one-year periods on behalf of the County. The individual employment contracts may be terminated upon 14 days’ advance written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott M. Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 4, 2026; Human Resources (Gina King, Human Resources Assistant Director, 387-5570) on April 27, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on April 28, 2026.