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
San Bernardino County Behavioral Health Commissioners to Attend the 2026 Wellness Conference
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve travel and related expenses for five San Bernardino County Behavioral Health Commissioners to attend the 2026 Wellness Conference in Anaheim, in an amount not to exceed $10,500, for the period of July 22, 2026 through July 24, 2026.
(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.
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 estimated cost for travel and related expenses, not to exceed $10,500, will be funded by existing ongoing 1991 Realignment funds. Adequate appropriation and revenue are included in the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) 2026-27 budget.
|
Expense |
Description Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Mileage |
Each Commissioner will drive their personal vehicle round trip to/from the hotel Commissioner 1 - 126 miles x $0.725 = $91.35 Commissioner 2 - 82 miles x $0.725 = $59.45 Commissioner 3 - 78 miles x $0.725 = $56.55 Commissioner 4 - 102 miles x $0.725 = $73.95 Commissioner 5 -108 miles x $0.725 = $78.30 |
$360* |
|
Registration |
$874.47 (including 3% processing fee) x five Commissioners |
$4,372* |
|
Lodging |
$384 per night x two nights + $130.56 taxes & fees = $898.56 x five Commissioners |
$4,493* |
|
Parking |
$45 x two nights x five Commissioners |
$450 |
|
Meals |
$22 Breakfast x one day x five Commissioners = $110 $23 Lunch x two days x five Commissioners = $230 $36 Dinner x two days x five Commissioners = $360 |
$700 |
|
Contingency Fee |
Unforeseen expenses (taxes and fees) |
$125* |
|
Total |
|
$10,500 |
*Rounded Amount
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services to County residents experiencing severe mental illness and/or SUD. An integral part of the service delivery consists of working with the San Bernardino County (County) Behavioral Health Commission (Commission) to improve services and enhance opportunities for the achievement of well-being.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) established the Commission in 1968, as provided for in Part 2, Chapter 1, Section 5604(a) of the California Welfare and Institutions Code. The Commission’s purpose is to advocate for clients, families, and County residents in the design and funding of behavioral health programs, and to advise the Board and the DBH Director on aspects of local behavioral health programs. Per County Code section 13.0618, expenses of board, commissions, and committee members (non-employees) on County business shall be paid by the County with prior Board approval.
Throughout the year, Commissioners attend and participate in various state and county events to share best practices as well as bring back innovative ideas to incorporate into the County’s behavioral health system of care. The Wellness Conference (Conference) is an engaging multi-day event designed to empower educational partners such as mental health professionals, administrators, educators, school counselors, school safety, health care providers, and the community to address the needs of the whole child.
The Conference features nationally recognized speakers and premier breakout sessions supporting historic California investments in community schools, behavioral health, and workforce capacity. The Conference focuses on the interconnectivity between students, families, communities, and schools and fosters collaboration in the pursuit of health and wellness. DBH previously presented information about the Conference during an earlier Commission meeting and invited those who were interested to participate. Commissioners were selected on a first-come first-served basis.
All five Commissioners are scheduled to check in on the day of the conference on July 22, 2026, using their own personal vehicle. Miscellaneous or unforeseen expenses, including taxes and fees, that should arise through the course of this trip shall be covered through the Contingency Fee. The five Commissioners will stay at the hotel for two nights and depart on July 24, 2026, the final day of the Conference.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Diana Barajas, Administrative Supervisor I, 388-0862) on June 2, 2026; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 2, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on June 4, 2026.