Title
HEARING - Consider the recommendations regarding Assisted Outpatient Treatment Services (Laura's Law) Analysis, as follows: (EST. TIME: 1 HR.)
a) Receive and file a report regarding the analysis and feasibility of implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment per the parameters set forth in Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 5345-5349.5 (AB1421/Laura's Law) in Santa Barbara County;
b) Provide staff with direction regarding the following options for future service delivery:
i) Full Implementation (Cost $2,263,387.00 annually): Pursue full implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for 75 individuals evaluated and an estimated 38 individuals likely served;
1) Return to the Board of Supervisors in April 2016 with program design, comprehensive budget proposal, and Resolution to direct the implementation of AOT for a three-year period and make finding that no voluntary mental health programs serving children or adults will be reduced as a result of service implementation;
2) Ensure community participation and partner with County of Santa Barbara service provider departments and the Court system in AOT program design;
3) Develop a program utilizing an external evaluator to determine overall impacts of program to individuals and cost savings to the County for individuals ordered to participate in the services versus those individuals who voluntarily participate in the same level and type of service;
4) Review Mental Health Services Act Plan via the Community Program Planning Process to determine feasible use of funds for program service delivery;
5) Direct Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services and partner departments to pursue all grant funding options to offset cost of implementing and sustaining the AOT program;
6) Ensure program is designed and ready for implementation on July 2016; and
7) Include start up and program design staffing of 0.5 Psychologist, 0.25 of clerical, and $10,000.00 for the contract evaluator and general office needs at a total cost of $121,000.00 in one time general fund monies, in the 2015-2016 budget process;
ii) Pilot (Cost $637,496.00 annually): Pursue Pilot Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program to Serve 10 individuals;
1) Return to the Board of Supervisors in April 2016 with program design, comprehensive budget proposal, and Resolution to direct the implementation of AOT for a three-year period and make finding that no voluntary mental health programs serving children or adults will be reduced as a result of implementation;
2) Ensure community participation and partner with County of Santa Barbara service provider departments and the Court System in AOT program design;
3) Develop a program utilizing an external evaluator to determine overall impacts of program to individuals and the cost savings to the County for individuals ordered to participate in the services versus those individuals who voluntarily participate in the same level and type of service;
4) Review Mental Health Services Act Plan via the Community Program Planning Process to determine feasible of use of funds for program service delivery;
5) Direct Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services and partner departments to pursue all available grants funding to offset the cost of implementing and sustaining the AOT program;
6) Ensure the program is designed and ready for implementation by July 2016; and
7) Include start up and program design staffing of 0.5 Psychologist, 0.25 of clerical, and $10,000.00 for the contract evaluator and general office needs at a total cost of $121,000.00, in one time general fund monies, in the 2015-2016 budget process; and
iii) Provide other direction to staff regarding timing, scale, and funding level of potential implementation strategy regarding Assisted Outpatient Treatment; and
iv) No Assisted Outpatient Treatment Implementation: Continue system change activities designed to enhance outpatient services and voluntary treatment services including the provision of specialty housing supports; and
c) Determine the above actions are exempt from environmental review per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline Section 15378(b)(5), since they are a government activity that does not involve a commitment to a specific project that may result in a potentially significant effect on the environment.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY