DATE: May 3, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors Team FYs 2019-20 through 2021-22 Report and Extension Request
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Receive verbal report from the Department of Behavioral Health on the Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors Program for FYs 2019-20 through 2021-22; and,
2. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, or designee, to execute the two optional one-year extensions in the Agreement with Hinds Hospice for FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 ($1,837,864).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department to share the report and remain in compliance with the Board’s direction for the update. The report summarizes the activities of the Department of Behavioral Health’s Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team program provided by Hinds Hospice. Approval authorizes the Department’s Director to execute the two optional one-year extensions for FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24. The services are funded with Mental Health Services Act - Prevention and Early Intervention (MHSA - PEI) funds, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. On April 9, 2019, the Board requested that the Department provide a presentation on program outcomes and metrics prior to executing the two optional one-year extensions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, newly bereaved suicide survivors in the County may not be linked to timely supports and resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum compensation of the agreement is $1,837,864 and will be fully funded with MHSA PEI funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in Department’s Org 5630 FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget and will be requested in subsequent fiscal year budgets for the duration of the contract term.
DISCUSSION:
On April 9, 2019, the Board approved an agreement with Hinds Hospice for the LOSS Team to provide information, support, warm linkage, and resources to newly bereaved suicide survivors. Following discussion of the item, the Board requested that the Department provide a presentation on program outcomes and metrics prior to executing the optional one-year extensions.
On September 1, 2020 and September 7, 2021, annual updates were provided to your Board for FY 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The recommended report summarizes the activities of the County’s LOSS Team for FYs 2019-20, 2020-21, and FY 2021-22 (6 months). Since implementation, the LOSS Team has responded to 72% of suicide deaths in the County. The average amount of time to arrive on scene is between 42-44 minutes, and the LOSS Team stays on scene on average between 48 -57 minutes. A total of 319 new individuals have received suicide loss support services, with 100% of individuals surveyed reporting that support services received have been “helpful” or “very helpful.” Over 1,200 bereavement phone calls have been made and over 2,000 bereavement mailings have been sent to survivors.
The LOSS Team has achieved most of the goals in place. Data used to measure improvement of distressing symptoms related to grief for FY 2019-20 was not captured. However, data in FY 2020-21 and the 6-month data for FY 2021-22 has shown that 100% of respondents who received services reported the services as “helpful” or “very helpful.” Conducting four in-person community trainings annually has been difficult during the COVID-19 public health emergency due to restrictions. However, it is anticipated that this goal will be met going forward as restrictions are lifted and conditions improve.
Upon approval by your Board, the Department Director will execute two optional one-year extensions for FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 under the same terms and conditions, which require written approval of both parties no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of the extension.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #38, September 7, 2021
BAI #26, September 1, 2020
BAI #36, April 9, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
LOSS Team Report for FYs 2019-20 to 2021-22
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa