SUBJECT
Title
RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ESTABLISHING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IMPACT FUND 2.0 (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On October 11, 2022 (9), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) found that a Behavioral Health Impact Fund 2.0 (BHIF 2.0) was necessary to meet the social needs of the county’s population; established a BHIF 2.0 grant program; directed the County of San Diego (County) to return to the Board with proposed evaluation and selection criteria for the BHIF 2.0; issue request(s) for proposals for behavioral health services; administer the BHIF 2.0; and provide updates on the status of awards, including the total number of awards granted, types of projects awarded, a description of recently awarded projects, and amount of funds remaining.
Today’s action provides an update on this direction and a summary of ongoing activities that align with the goals of BHIF 2.0 to ensure funds are available to support the increase in behavioral health needs across the continuum. Additionally, today’s action requests authority to provide future updates to coincide with significant developments in lieu of time-certain reporting.
Today’s actions support the County’s vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind, as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by a steadfast commitment to pursue funding opportunities that will allow the County to grow behavioral health supports in alignment with community need.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Receive an update on establishing the Behavioral Health Impact Fund 2.0.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to sunset time-certain reporting for the Behavioral Health Impact Fund 2.0, and shift updates to coincide with significant developments.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) serves as the specialty behavioral health plan for Medi-Cal eligible residents within San Diego County who are experiencing serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, as well as the service delivery system for Medi-Cal eligible residents with substance use disorder care needs. BHS aims to provide resources and services that are equitably distributed and advance wellness across the continuum of need. Today’s item supports this vision of advancing behavioral health equity in our region.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s item is an update on the pursuit of funding that will support ongoing behavioral health projects and supports Sustainability Goal #4 to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the region by exploring grant funding opportunities available at the State and federal level.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with these items. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
On May 4, 2023, the Behavioral Health Advisory Board approved this Board Letter on consent.
BACKGROUND
On October 11, 2022 (9) the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) found that a Behavioral Health Impact Fund 2.0 (BHIF 2.0) was necessary to meet the social needs of San Diego County residents and established the BHIF 2.0 grant program, and took the following actions:
• Directed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to return to the Board within 120 days with proposed evaluation and selection criteria for the BHIF 2.0;
• Authorized the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue request(s) for proposals for continuum of care services to include behavioral health workforce programs, services, and/or infrastructure projects, to award agreements, and to amend the grant agreements as necessary;
• Directed the CAO to administer the BHIF 2.0, including the evaluation of proposals and the administration of the resulting agreements; and
• Directed the CAO to submit a written report to the Board every 120 days on the status of awards, including the total number of awards granted, types of projects awarded, a description of recently awarded projects, and amount of funds remaining.
Following this direction, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) has explored multiple funding sources but has not yet identified any funding sources to establish BHIF 2.0. However, in alignment with the BHIF 2.0 goals, BHS continues to explore grant funding opportunities available at the State and federal level to meet the social needs of the San Diego County population. In Fiscal Year 2022-23, BHS has pursued grant opportunities totaling over $220M and has been awarded just over $33M with the possibility of additional awards (pending final decisions by the State) that will further support behavioral health needs across the continuum. Given that no funding has been identified, the establishment of evaluation and selection criteria as well as a procurement for new projects is paused at this time.
Today’s recommended actions request that the Board accept this initial update on BHIF 2.0 and
authorize future updates to coincide with significant developments in lieu of time-certain reporting.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the County of San Diego’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan initiatives of Equity (Health) and Community (Quality of Life) as well as the regional Live Well San Diego vision, by pursuing funding to support the regional continuum of behavioral health services.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Interim Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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