Trinity County Behavioral Health Services

Element (1) - Community Program Planning and local review process is conducted as part of the MHSA annual update of the Trinity County’s Integrated Plan. As required, a copy is forwarded each fiscal year to the California DMH and to MHSAOC. BHS verified the MHSA 2009-2010 plan was sent to both agencies on June 15, 2009.

Element (2) - Community Support Services has met their goal of implementing a successful FSP program. Currently there are 12 participants enrolled in FSP receiving services previously unavailable due to lack of Medi-Cal eligibility. Also in place are the two drop-in centers. The centers are supplying peer-motivated services focusing on the recovery model. The plan goals have been met on time. The next goal is to reach the under-represented Native Americans residents in Trinity County.

Element (3) - Capital Facilities purchased and renovated a board and care residence for FSPs. The facility is scheduled to open in May 2010. This is the first in-county facility, which will house and service consumers who are suffering from serious mental illness. BHS should be complimented on its development of a new in-county mental health service. This service will reduce costs for both the County and its consumers.

Element (3) - Information Technology – In October 2009 broadband connectivity was installed in Hayfork. Phase 1 of Anasazi has been completed. Consumers are registered, scheduled, and being billed out of Anasazi. October 2009 also saw the start of Phase 2 of Anasazi implementation. In progress are Assessment, Treatment Plans, Progress Notes set up, form development training, and workflow design

Element (4) - Prevention and Early Intervention – Link Center opened in August 2009 at the Mountain Valley Elementary School. One classroom is fully dedicated to the Center. Currently eighteen students receive counseling once a week. At the present time there are six groups meeting weekly. Each group concentrates on one theme such as: anti- bullying, social development skills, female aggression, and drug and alcohol problems, dealing with ADHD, and developing friendship among male students. Parent interaction with the Center averages out to three a week. Prevention and Intervention Program (PIP) being offered by STHS has three schools participating. Van Duzen Elementary School has twelve students involved. In 2009 three students from Southern Trinity High School took part in the Emotionally Healthy Teens group while fourteen were enrolled in the Addiction and the Brain group. The third school, Bridgeville Elementary, has fifteen students involved in the Learning Self- Control group, who were referred by teachers and identified as students who could benefit from intervention. BHS is to be commended on its implementation of programs for the positive mental health development of our youth.

Element (5) - Innovation –The Board and Care FSP facility is scheduled to open in May 2010 and prove the effectiveness of the recovery model and interaction with the drop-in centers. In-county cost to operate the new facility will be $115 a day per consumer instead of out-of-county costs at $225 a day.

Element (6) - Workforce Education and Training has enabled the hiring of an MHSA Coordinator. Last year three scholarships were awarded to people already working in the Trinity County public mental health field. Underwriting this education and training requires participants to commit to return to the County for two years. This year the focus is on having staff members attend one training program to improve their ability to perform their jobs.