To: Board of Supervisors
From: Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Report Title: Add Five (5) positions to Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 26345 to add one (1) Substance Abuse Counselor (VHVC) at salary plan and grade TC5 1436 ($6,501.33-$7,902.40), three (3) Mental Health Community Support Workers II (VQVB) at salary plan and grade TC5 0968 ($4,090.32-$4,971.81) and one (1) Mental Health Specialist II (VQVA) at salary plan and grade TC2 1284 ($5,762.13-$8,141.73) to Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program in Health Services Department. (Represented)
FISCAL IMPACT:
Upon approval, this will result in an annual cost of $596,605.94 with pension costs of $87,164.82. These positions will be funded by California’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program.
BACKGROUND:
In September 2022, Assembly Bill 179 signed the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program into law. The purpose of this program is to provide funding to county behavioral health agencies to operate bridge housing settings to address the immediate housing needs for people experiencing homelessness with behavioral health conditions, including mental illness and substance use disorders. As a recipient of this funding, Contra Costa Health Services is needing to add five (5) critical positions to stand up this bridge housing program which include one (1) Substance Abuse Counselor, three (3) Mental Health Community Support Workers II and one (1) Mental Health Specialist II.
The Substance Abuse Counselor is needed to work with all BHBH clients to provide harm reduction, motivational interviewing, support recovery, substance use screening, referral, and support in connecting to recovery programs.
Three (3) Mental Health Community Support Workers II are needed to provide peer supportive services to BHBH clients. Supportive services are necessary to help program participants obtain and maintain housing. The Mental Health Community Support Worker II duties will include transportation assistance, group and individual activities that promote a sense of purpose and community participation, and outreach services to encourage clients to engage in services.
The Mental Health Specialist II will provide services at the housing sites to develop and provide supportive services to all BHBH clients. The Mental Health Specialist II will assist clients in developing and maintaining the skills required to achieve independent living status.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without these positions, Contra Costa Health and Behavioral Health will not be able to utilize these state funds properly to provide bridge housing services to Contra Costa’s most vulnerable communities.