FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: November 25, 2024
Subject: Public Mental Health Care System including children and adolescents
Submitted For: Anna Roth, Director of Health Services
Department: Health Services
Referral No: 115 & 116
Referral Name: Child & Adolescent Mental Health and Public Mental Health Care System
Presenter: Dr. Suzanne Tavano, Director, Behavioral Health Services
Contact: Dr. Suzanne Tavano, (925) 957-5169
Referral History:
On October 30, 2017 the Family and Human Services Committee (FHS) accepted the report from the Health Services Department addressing various mental health service issues and concerns raised by the FHS, the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Commission’s White Paper, the Civil Grand Jury, and members of the public. These issues and concerns centered upon the difficulty in accessing mental health care, particularly for children and youth experiencing serious emotional disturbances. Indicative to this lack of access was the 1) increase in Psychiatric Emergency Services visits, 2) long wait times to access care, and 3) shortage of clinical staff, especially psychiatrists. The Health Services Department report addressed these issues and concerns and reported upon the initiatives and progress made to date.
The FHS asked the Department to provide an update to the Mental Health Commission in six months, and to the FHS annually thereafter. The last status report made to FHS was on August 4, 2023.
Referral Update:
Please see the attached 2024 report on the Public Mental Health Care System including children and adolescents, in Contra Costa County.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ACCEPT the report from the Behavioral Health Division of the Health Services Department on the Public Mental Health Care System including children and adolescents, and FORWARD to the Board of Supervisors for their information.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
There is no fiscal impact.