DATE: August 19, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Response to 2024-25 Fresno County Civil Grand Jury Final Report No. 3
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
TITLE
1. Review the findings and recommendations of the 2024-25 Fresno County Civil Grand Jury Final Report No. 3, “Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health: Will the Department be able to meet current and future challenges?” and adopt the recommended response; and
2. Order the Board’s response to the 2024-25 Fresno County Civil Grand Jury Final Report No. 3 be filed with the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
REPORT
The Fresno County Civil Grand Jury (Grand Jury) issued the 2024-25 Final Report No. 3 (Report), examining the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). The Grand Jury requested responses from your Board to Findings F1-F8 and Recommendations R1-R11. For your Board’s consideration, Attachment A was drafted by the County Administrative Office as the Board’s response to the Report. If the recommended actions are approved by your Board, the response will be submitted to the Presiding Judge and a copy will be place on file with the Clerk of Board.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no alternative action. California Penal Code, section 933(c) requires your Board to submit a response to the Presiding Judge within 90 days from the date the report was released to the public.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions.
DISCUSSION:
On June 4, 2025, the Report was posted to the Fresno County Superior Court’s website, which examined several DBH practices, including funding, employee safety and training, the electronic health record system, and upward communication. The Grand Jury requested responses from your Board to all eight Findings and all 11 Recommendations, which are within the County’s scope and responsibility. The Board’s recommended responses to the Findings and Recommendations are included in Attachment A.
The Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector (ACTTC) and DBH Director were included as invited respondents in the Report. DBH submitted its response to the Presiding Judge on July 29, 2025 and the ACTTC submitted its response on July 30, 2025. Both responses are included in Attachment B.
California Penal Code section 933(c) requires your Board to submit its response to the Presiding Judge within 90 days from the date the Report was released to the public (by September 2, 2025). If the recommended actions are approved by your Board, Attachment A will be submitted to the Presiding Judge and a copy will be placed on file with the Clerk of the Board.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A
Attachment B
On file with Clerk - Grand Jury Report
CAO ANALYST:
Amy Ryals