Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility a Key Support System for Humboldt County Released July 11th, 2025

Published: June 04, 2025 10 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 8 findings

F1
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Sempervirens is playing an important role for those experiencing acute mental health issues in Humboldt County, providing an important service to the patients and the broader community.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: There is considerable emphasis on the safety of patients and staff by minimizing injuries, self-harm, and potential liability. This enhances the trust and security in the patient-staff relationship.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Patients are provided with extensive services to improve their mental health and prepare for discharge. Strong patient involvement helps ensure that the discharge process provides optimal patient success upon release.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: There are clear patients’ rights that are provided in writing to all patients on intake. These give patients more confidence in their safety and security.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: There is a Patients’ Rights Advocate available to assist patients in learning, understanding, and exercising their rights; the Advocate also monitors the facility to ensure that it complies with the law. These actions provide patients' safety and security.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The Sempervirens facility is very old and in disrepair. The Crisis Stabilization Unit is unusable for significant periods of time when the roof leaks; this greatly compromises the use of Sempervirens facilities. (R1)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The leaky roof be repaired as quickly as possible. The Board of Supervisors should direct the Public Works Department to complete roof repairs by September 30, 2025. (F6)
F7
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The Sempervirens program is currently understaffed. SV needs to be fully staffed to meet the community's needs for acute mental health services while ensuring the well-being of patients and staff. (R2, R3)
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
The vacant positions for Sempervirens be filled as soon as possible. If the vacant positions are subject to the hiring freeze, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors should exempt the positions from the freeze by no later than August 1, 2025. (F7)
R3
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors streamline hiring procedures in order to complete all evaluations and hiring within six weeks. This is to be completed by December 31, 2025. (F7, F8) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: ● The respondent agrees with the finding, or ● The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding; in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: ● The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action, or ● The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation or ● The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency, where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or ● The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (All Findings, all Recommendations) Invited Responses The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond. The Department of Health and Human Services (All Findings, all Recommendations) Responses are to be sent to: The Honorable Judge Kelly L. Neel Humboldt County Superior Court 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury PO Box 657, Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.
F8
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The County often takes three to six months to complete the hiring process, and by that time, the interested professional often has moved on and sought another position. This negatively impacts the recruitment of personnel to fill vacancies at Sempervirens. (R3)
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors streamline hiring procedures in order to complete all evaluations and hiring within six weeks. This is to be completed by December 31, 2025. (F7, F8) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: ● The respondent agrees with the finding, or ● The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding; in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: ● The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action, or ● The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation or ● The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency, where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or ● The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (All Findings, all Recommendations) Invited Responses The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond. The Department of Health and Human Services (All Findings, all Recommendations) Responses are to be sent to: The Honorable Judge Kelly L. Neel Humboldt County Superior Court 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury PO Box 657, Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.

Conclusions 1

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

California Health and Human Services Agency Agency
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office