TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services
REPORT BY: Shelli Brobst, Contracts Manager
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolutions regarding the Detention of Mentally Ill Disordered Persons for Evaluation and Treatment
RECOMMENDATION
title
Director of Health and Human Services requests adoption of the following resolutions regarding the detention of mentally ill disordered persons for evaluation and treatment:
1. A Resolution To Update Designated Facilities Authorized to Provide Evaluation and Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness Pursuant to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act; and
2. A Resolution To Update Designated Professional Persons Who May Detain Persons with Mental Health Disorders.
body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Board of Supervisors has previously designated facilities authorized to provide evaluation and treatment of persons with mental illness pursuant to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act. The list of designated facilities were last updated by Board resolution on April 18, 2017 when the new crisis stabilization unit in Napa County was added. Although the crisis stabilization unit was clearly designated, the specific contractor operating the facility was also unnecessarily referenced. Staff are now requesting the Board approve a revised resolution that simply removes reference to the contractor with no other changes since the crisis stabilization unit otherwise remains a designated facility.
The Board of Supervisors also previously designated those professional persons who may detain persons pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5150 and 5585.50. Due to the need for a broader array of clinical staff who may detain persons with mental health disorders, this resolution further revises the list of designated professional persons.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
|
Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
|
County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
|
Additional Information |
None |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) sections 5000, et seq. provides that the Board of Supervisors designate facilities authorized to provide evaluation and treatment pursuant to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS), and provides that such facilities may include, but are not limited to, a licensed psychiatric hospital, a licensed psychiatric health facility, and a certified crisis stabilization unit. When an individual is found to be a danger to self or to others or is gravely disabled due to a mental disorder, they may be taken in to custody and held involuntarily for evaluation. The purpose of this resolution is to update the language in the resolution that removes a specific contractor name in conjunction with the crisis stabilization unit since the unit itself is designated.
Further, pursuant to WIC sections 5150 and 5585.50, designated professional persons may, upon probable cause, take or cause to be taken into custody, persons for a period of up to 72 hours who may, as a result of a mental health disorder, pose a danger to themselves or others, or are gravely disabled, and require assessment, evaluation, and crisis intervention, or placement for evaluation and treatment, in a facility designated by the county. The purpose of this second resolution is to include registered clinicians who are acting within their clinical scope of practice to assess persons who may be a danger to themselves or others, or are gravely disabled due to a mental health disorder. Including registered clinicians to the list of designated professional persons will increase the staff who are available to conduct 5150 and 5250 evaluations at the crisis stabilization unit and in the community. The latter is critical to ensure adequate staffing available to respond to community crises as the Health and Human Services Agency - Mental Health Division implements mobile crisis response team services this fiscal year.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Resolutions