DATE:
April 8, 2025
16
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
RECEIVE UPDATE ON ENHANCING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ACCESSIBILITY; AUTHORIZE MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS TO ESTABLISH CONTRACTS FOR CRITICAL SERVICES; AND ADOPT THE REVISED LANTERMAN-PETRIS-SHORT DESIGNATION GUIDELINES AND PROCESSES FOR FACILITIES WITHIN SAN DIEGO COUNTY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In California, counties are responsible for administering specialty mental health and substance use services for residents eligible for Medi-Cal. The County of San Diego (County) Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department serves as the Specialty Mental Health Plan and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System. To ensure access to quality care that meets the needs of Medi-Cal beneficiaries in San Diego County, BHS is required to maintain a local network of behavioral health services and providers. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) has made key investments over the last several years to enhance community-based behavioral health services and develop critical behavioral health infrastructure that is regionally distributed in alignment with population health needs.
In 2022, BHS developed the Behavioral Health Optimal Care Pathways (OCP) model outlining the existing and optimal future capacity necessary across community crisis diversion services, community-based care, and subacute care based on data and lengths of stay more optimal for patient care. The OCP model emphasizes a behavioral health system that prioritizes care for adults that meets their individual needs in the least restrictive settings. Since developing the OCP model, BHS has taken multiple actions to build dedicated service capacity within community crisis diversion, subacute care, and community-based care, along with working to improve access to substance use and inpatient care. The County continues pursuing partnerships across the region that will enhance the continuum of care.
On January 28, 2025 (...
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