DATE: September 5, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with Superior Court for Court Coordinator Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Agreement with Superior Court of California, County of Fresno for the provision of coordination services for certain specialty treatment courts effective upon execution through June 30, 2026, which includes one optional one-year extension, total not to exceed $451,335.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow for the continuance of mental health and substance use disorder treatment services care coordination, data gathering and program review tracking for Family Behavioral Health Court (FBHC) Adult Behavioral Health Court (BHC), Drug Court, Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), Unity Court (Unity), Misdemeanor Incompetent to Stand Trial Court (MIST), Mental Health Diversion Court (MHDC) and staff support for Drug Court. The coordination services are funded by Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Community Services and Supports (CSS) and Behavioral Health Realignment, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the Board does not approve the recommended action, the provision of mental health and substance use treatment and rehabilitation to individuals whose mental illness and substance use disorder contributes to their non-violent criminal behavior will not be delivered in a coordinated manner between the courts, the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), treatment providers and other collaborative justice partners. Quality management will also become a challenge to accomplish successfully.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum annual cost of $70,000 for FBHC, BHC, Drug Courts, VTC, Unity, MIST and MHDC care coordinator services will be fully funded with MHSA CSS funds, and the maximum annual cost of $80,445 for Drug Court staff support will be fully funded with Behavioral Health Realignment. The total maximum cost for the term is $451,335. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budget requests for the duration of the term. Total expenditures will be determined by actual services provided.
DISCUSSION:
On June 12, 2018, the Board approved Agreement No. 18-328 with Superior Court of California, County of Fresno (Courts) to provide court coordinator services for Juvenile/Family Behavioral Health Courts, Adult Behavioral Health Court, Drug Court, Family Dependency Treatment Court, and staff support and incentives for the Drug Courts. On August 24, 2021, the Board approved Amendment I to Agreement No. 18-328 which added three specialty treatment courts to the agreement, including Veteran’s Treatment Court, Mental Health Diversion Court, and Unity Court.
If approved, the recommended agreement will allow for the continuance of Court Coordinators who are responsible for increasing service access, building capacity and removing barriers for those in the justice system that are in need of substance use and mental health treatment and supportive services. In FY 2021-22, a total of 981 adults and youths entered specialty treatment courts with care coordination services; 305 participants successfully completed their programs to have their charges dismissed, which allows them to achieve better long-term outcomes for employment, housing, family and social relationships, and other life factors.
The recommended agreement also adds MIST Court, a newly created specialty treatment court for individuals charged with misdemeanors and found incompetent to stand trial, and removes Family Dependency Treatment Court (FDTC), as that specialty treatment court is not operating at this time. As a result of new developments on collaborative treatment court models and need to monitor impact of enhanced care coordination and supports under California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) on court coordination services, the recommended agreement is not a five-year term.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was made aware of the recommended agreement at their May 2023 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #27, August 24, 2021
BAI #35, June 12, 2018
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Superior Court
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald W. Alexander, Jr.