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HomeMy WebLinkAbout061521-05.6 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 5.6 TO: Mayor and Town Council June 15, 2021 SUBJECT: Letter in Support of allocating Countywide Measure X funds to support the Community Crisis Initiative BACKGROUND Since last summer, the Mayor and Town Council have been receiving periodic updates through the Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference, regarding efforts underway to develop a more comprehensive plan to improve mental health countywide. Approximately 1 in 5 adults in Contra Costa County is dealing with behavioral health issues. Our current system of intervention and treatment programs are oftentimes not accessible to people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. In response, Contra Costa Health Services has brought together a county-wide working group to look at developing a system for Community Crisis Response - where anyone in Contra Costa County can access timely and appropriate behavioral health crisis services anywhere, at anytime. This would be an alternative response mechanism to law enforcement who is often the only responder to situations arising out of mental health concerns. This effort includes a broad coalition of stakeholders including cities in the County and the County Public Managers. In November 2020, Contra Costa County voters approved Measure X which authorized an additional sales tax of 0.5% for 20 years and is expected to generate an estimated $81 million per year for essential services including the regional hospital, community health centers, emergency response, safety-net services, early childhood services and protection of vulnerable populations. The Board of Supervisors has appointed a Measure X Community Advisory Board to review and make recommendations on the use of this funding. On June 1, 2021, the Town Council heard a presentation by Chief Paige Meyer and EMS staff, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, introducing the “First Responders for Mental Health” Pilot Project being developed by the district featuring a Comprehensive Plan to respond to Mental Health Emergencies. This presentation was positively received by the Town Council and staff is working with the district to identify how it can move forward in Danville. As presented by the Fire District, this program could operate in a manner that is complimentary to the countywide initiative. DISCUSSION The Measure X Community Advisory Board will be reviewing mental health funding needs later in June. The Community Crisis Initiative has been in development for nearly a year Letter of Support 2 June 15, 2021 Community Crisis Initiative and is ready to be implemented if funding can be secured. The estimated cost of the program has yet to be presented but is expected to be considerable. As cities cannot be relied upon to be significant financial contributors to this effort, potential commitment of Measure X funding to cover some portion of the program costs would position the County more favorably in the ongoing efforts underway to obtain program funding from other sources, including the state and federal governments. The County Public Managers have recommended asking each of the City and Town Councils to send letters to the Measure X Community Advisory Board encouraging them to recommend some level of funding for this important initiative. The attached letter has been drafted for Town Council consideration and would be sent to the County’s Measure X Community Advisory Board upon approval by the Town Council. PUBLIC CONTACT Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. FISCAL IMPACT No direct fiscal impact to the Town. RECOMMENDATION Authorize the Mayor to send a letter in Support of allocating Countywide Measure X funds to support the Community Crisis Initiative. Prepared by: Joseph A. Calabrigo Town Manager Reviewed by: Robert B. Ewing City Attorney Attachment: Draft letter to Measure X Community Advisory Board dated June 15, 2021 “Small Town Atmosphere Outstanding Quality of Life” 5 1 0 L A G O N D A W A Y , D A N V I L L E , C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 5 2 6 Administration Building Engineering & Planning Transportation Maintenance Police Parks and Recreation (925) 314-3388 (925) 314-3330 (925) 314-3310 (925) 314-3320 (925) 314-3450 (925) 314-3700 (925) 314-3400 June 15, 2021 Measure X Community Advisory Board c/o Lisa Driscoll, Committee Staff Contra Costa County Chair Moore, Members of the Measure X Community Advisory Board: On behalf of the Town of Danville and our Town Council, I am writing to endorse the work of the Community Crisis Initiative which is requesting Measure X funding for the development of a comprehensive system to respond to behavioral health crises in our communities. The initiative is a partnership between cities from across the county and Contra Costa Health Services to develop a comprehensive community crisis response system that can be accessed by anyone, anytime, anywhere. Since July 2020, a representative group of Contra Costa City Managers have been collaborating with Contra Costa Health Services. Under the sponsorship of this group, a multi-disciplinary team, including law enforcement, community advocates, behavioral health staff, people with lived experience and others looked at existing capacities and created an initial framework where anyone in Contra Costa County can access timely and appropriate behavioral health crisis care anywhere at any time. This team looked at best practices nationally, regionally and locally, and held three week-long workshops to test various aspects of the model. The model includes three components of a comprehensive crisis response system, including a virtual hub (regional call center), crisis response teams and alternate destinations. Individuals and families involved in these emergency and crisis mental health situations are in need of behavioral health interventions which can be provided as an alternative to law enforcement response. We support the recommendations to develop a comprehensive crisis response system available 24/7 and serving all of the regions and cities in the county. Given the magnitude of this effort, program costs will be considerable. Full development of this new system will only be realized through stable funding made available through federal resources and the State of California Department of Health Care Services in addition to other sources of funding needed to support the expansion of a comprehensive mobile crisis system with mental health professionals. As cities cannot be relied upon to be significant financial contributors to this effort, potential commitment of Measure X funding to cover some portion of the program costs will go a long way toward making June 15, 2021 Page 2 sure that mobile crisis services are conducted in an age appropriate, geographically accessible, and culturally competent manner to all residents of Contra Costa County whatever their insurance status may be. This work is just what Measure X was intended to support, especially since all members of our county and all communities will benefit. We urge the Measure X Community Advisory Board to consider the value of this initiative and to support this effort. Sincerely, The Town of Danville Renee Morgan Mayor cc: Town Council CCC District II Supervisor, Candace Andersen