Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2012-2013
Cut Backs in Mental Health Services Impacting Law Enforcement May 1, 2013
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 7 findings
F1
The Mental Health Department scheduling one crisis worker after hours and weekends is insufficient for Mendocino County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Mental Health provides an additional crisis worker after 6:00 p.m. and on weekends. (F1)
F2
Crisis workers have conflicting responsibility and authority.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Health and Human Services Agency re-examine their policies regarding crisis workers making the determination for releasing 5150s when a supervisor’s authorization is required to hospitalize a patient. (F2) 4
F3
Health and Human Services Agency and Ukiah Valley Medical Center have conflicting views on the procedures for treatment of patients with dual diagnoses.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Health and Human Services Agency clarify the procedures for treatment of patients with dual diagnoses. (F3)
F4
Mendocino County Jail enlisted the help of MH staff to begin a follow-up program for released patients deemed mentally ill.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Mental Health funds be used to implement a discharge /follow-up program for mentally ill inmates released from the jail. (F4)
F5
The current method of providing psychiatric services needs improvement. Telepsychiatry (doc-in-the-box) is an expensive/poor substitute for the “real thing”, a psychiatrist.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
The doc-in-the-box camera be repositioned for improved personal interaction. (F5)
R6
Mental Health continues the search for a County psychiatrist for the jail. (F5)
F6
Mental health patients in crisis are costly to area hospitals and law enforcement.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
HIPAA regulations prevent mental health communication between law enforcement and medical staff. Hospital staff may only transmit patient information to the medical staff at the jail.
No recommendations for this finding