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Home My WebLink About2023-12-12; City Council Legislative Subcommittee; ; San Diego County Behavioral Health Programs UpdateLEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE Staff Report Meeting Date: Dec. 12, 2023 To: Legislative Subcommittee From: Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Staff Contact: Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director jason.haber@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2958 Subject: San Diego County Behavioral Health Programs Update District: All Recommended Action Receive an informational report from Luke Bergmann, PhD, County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services Department Director, on the county's mental health and substance use disorder services, including the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act Program. Discussion The County of San Diego provides the following overview of the county's Behavioral Health Services Department: The County of San Diego's Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department provides mental health and substance use disorder services to over 111,000 San Diego County residents of all ages. Services are provided through 9 county-operated programs, over 300 contracts, and 800 individual fee-for-service providers. BHS offers services across the lifespan through coordinated systems of care and embraces Live Well San Diego, the County's over-arching vision for a region that is building better health, living safely, and thriving. BHS is leading an ongoing, collaborative effort with justice partners, hospitals, community health centers, and other community-based providers to enhance, expand, and innovate the array of behavioral health programs available throughout the region. This body of work is referred to broadly as the Continuum of Care, and includes the establishment of behavioral health hubs, networks, and new care coordination services to ensure BHS clients have access to the appropriate level of psychiatric services to meet their immediate needs and support long-term recovery. BHS is also working to innovate and expand the substance use disorder treatment system through the implementation of the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS). DMC-ODS provides improved services including withdrawal management, expanded case management, post-treatment recovery services, residential treatment, physician consultation, and medication assisted treatment services. This transformative blend of new and expanded services provides a full continuum of integrated substance use disorder treatment and is designed to serve BHS clients throughout the entire recovery process. Dec. 12, 2023 Item #3 Page 1 of 5 Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment {CARE) Act Program As further discussed in the attached CARE Act Program Flyer and CARE Act Program Fact Sheet (Exhibits 1 and 2): Through a new state law, San Diego County implemented the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment {CARE) Act program on October 1, 2023. In collaboration with County and community partners, the CARE Act program creates a new pathway to deliver mental health and substance use services to individuals who are diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders and are not engaged in treatment. Families, clinicians, first responders, and others may begin the process by filing a petition with the civil court to connect people {ages 18+) to court-ordered voluntary treatment if they meet criteria and would benefit from the program. The county is offering six upcoming information sessions in December and January for the public to learn more about the CARE Act. The attached CARE Act Community Information Sessions Flyer {Exhibit 3) provides details and instructions for registering to attend the sessions. Next Steps None. Exhibits 1. County of San Diego -CARE Act Program Flyer 2. County of San Diego -CARE Act Program Fact Sheet 3. County of San Diego -CARE Act Community Information Sessions Flyer Dec. 12,2023 Item #3 Page 2 of 5 HOW DOES IT WORK? • To start the process, a referral must be submitted by a family member, clinician, first responder, or others. • A judge will decide if the person meets criteria and is eligible for treatment. • If so, County Behavioral Health Services will partner with the person to develop a CARE Plan . • A CARE Plan may include mental health or substance use treatment, medication, housing, and other supports. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? The CARE Act Program is for people who are: • 18 years of age or older • Diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders • Not currently in treatment • Unlikely to survive in the community safely without supervision What is the CARE Act program? The Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act program creates a new pathway to deliver mental health and substance use services to individuals who are not engaged in treatment and are diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Families, clinicians, first responders, and others may begin the process by filing a petition with the civil court to connect people (ages 18+) to court-ordered voluntary treatment if they meet criteria and would benefit from the program. How does it work? There are five basic steps to establishing a CARE Plan: 1. A referral is initiated by filing a petition with the Superior Court. 2. The Superior Court makes an initial determination as to whether the petition appears to meet criteria for the CARE Act program. 3. The County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services (BHS) will investigate and report back within 14 days with a recommendation regarding the establishment of a CARE Act case. At the same time, BHS will reach out to the petitioned individual and work to engage them with treatment and may avoid the need for a CARE Act case. 4. If the Superior Court determines that a case should be established, a CARE Plan will be developed with County BHS, in partnership with the petitioned individual and their counsel. The CARE Plan will be submitted to the Superior Court for review. 5. Once a CARE Plan is accepted by the Superior Court, BHS and its network of community-based providers will actively engage the individual for whom a CARE Plan is being established to connect to services, including behavioral health treatment, stabilization medication, a housing plan, and other supports as needed. What if my loved one does not qualify for the CARE Act program? ~ Referral ~~ Initial .-. Determination n Investigation & ~ Engagement ~ CAREPlan ,._. Connection ,,~ to Services Though the CARE Act program is not for everyone, County Behavioral Health Services offers an array of treatment services and supports, which do not require a CARE Act process to access. If you or a loved one are seeking behavioral health services or referrals, call the County's Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 -or 9-8-8 -to speak to a licensed clinician that can help connect you with services. Questions about CARE Act program? Call the County's Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 or the Legal Aid Society of San Diego at 1-877-734-3258 (Option 6). 2023-11-02 Dec. 12,2023 Item# JOIN US TO LEARN ABOUT THE CARE ACT PROGRAM All sessions are one hour long. Thursday, December 14, 2023@ 6:00 PM Rancho San Diego Library 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019 Tuesday, January 9, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Mission Valley Library 2123 Fenton Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92108 Wednesday, January 10, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Bonita-Sunnyside Library 4375 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902 Wednesday, January 17, 2024@ 5:15 PM Vista Library 700 Eucalyptus Ave, Vista, CA 92084 Tuesday, January 23, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Point Loma/Hervey Library 3701 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107 Wednesday, January 24, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Virtual -Register for link AGENDA: • What is the CARE Act? • Who is it intended for? • What is the process? • Additional resources or scan the QR code Registration is not required for in-person, but is recommended. 10. nHml San Diego & \\1(t' Imperial Counties I) A NAMI San Diego event in partnership with ~...,_on.._._. uvE WELL County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services SAN DIEGO To support meeting participation, disability-related accommodations, language interpretation (including American Sign Language), and written materials in alternative languages and torroot§ !i'l~~lable upon request. Please submit your request at lea~~wurs Pagl@~iffl® of the event to Engage.BHS@sdcounfY..ca.gov or by calling (619) 518-4853.