REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 23, 2026
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Acting Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding for Dedicated Office Space
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve non-financial Memorandum of Understanding with Montclair Police Department, including a non-standard term, for dedicated office space for the Department of Behavioral Health staff to provide crisis services, effective upon execution through June 30, 2031.
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Montclair Police Department, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health to transmit the Memorandum of Understanding with Montclair Police Department to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Acting Director, 252-5142)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will allow the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to utilize office space within Montclair Police Department’s (MPD) facility to provide collaborative crisis intervention services.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since 2015, DBH has partnered with various agencies for the use of no-cost office space to place DBH crisis triage staff in underserved areas throughout the county. DBH manages these locations, known as points of access, which include law enforcement agencies, hospital emergency departments, college campuses, and agencies within the judicial court system. These locations allow DBH to assist consumers experiencing a mental health crisis through programs such as the Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) and the Triage Engagement and Support Team (TEST).
The COAST program is a multidisciplinary approach to crisis stabilization that includes DBH TEST staff, law enforcement, emergency medical services staff, and, in some locations, additional support resources. The program was initially piloted with the City of Fontana in 2021 and was created to respond to the behavioral health needs of residents during specific crisis encounters in the field. Following the success of the pilot, DBH expanded the COAST program by partnering with additional agencies to provide coordinated crisis response services in county communities.
The TEST program provides crisis intervention, early identification, assessment, and support services to individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies. By locating DBH TEST staff at partnering agencies, DBH staff are able to respond more quickly to individuals in crisis, connect them to appropriate services, and utilize least restrictive alternatives, when appropriate, to reduce unnecessary hospitalization and law enforcement involvement.
Approval of the MOU will allow DBH to place one TEST staff at MPD’s facility located at 4870 Arrow Highway in Montclair. Delegated authority is being requested for this MOU due to the cancelation of MPD’s June City Council meeting. Delegated authority will allow the DBH Director to execute the agreement after MPD obtains approval at its July City Council meeting.
In 2023-24, there were 12,358 encounters with co-located DBH TEST staff in partnership with law enforcement agency sites. The continued use of less restrictive alternatives, including Crisis Walk-In Centers, Crisis Stabilization Units, and Crisis Residential Treatment facilities, resulted in 98% of DBH TEST crisis interventions being diverted from hospitalization.
The MOU includes the following indemnification language that differs from the standard County contract terms:
Per the MOU, each party is required to defend, indemnify, or hold the other party harmless to the extent arising out of the respective party’s breach of the MOU and negligent or wrongful acts or omissions in connection with its performance under the MOU.
• County Policy 11-07 requires the contractor to indemnify the County against all claims arising out of the contract from any cause whatsoever.
• Potential Impact: By agreeing to indemnify MPD , the County could be contractually waiving the protection of sovereign immunity. If the County is sued for any claim resulting from its own breach of the MOU, negligent or wrongful acts, or omissions in connection with its performance under the MOU, the County may be solely liable for the costs of defense and damages.
DBH recommends approval of the MOU, including the non-standard term, as it will allow DBH to continue to utilize office space at the MPD facility to provide rapid access to crisis intervention services for underserved populations throughout the county.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health (Diana Barajas, Administrative Supervisor I, 383-0862) on May 27, 2026; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 18, 2026; Risk Management (Arrissia Beaven, Staff Analyst II, 386-9030) on June 2, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on June 3, 2026.