Health Services Agency*

2013 - 2014 Grand Jury report and instead was less communicative and less effective. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion <b>DISAGREE</b> – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Mental Health Advisory Board is not meeting the requirements of the Mental

Health Services Act or achieving its own goals to advocate for persons with mental illness and to increase community awareness on issues related to mental health. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion <b>DISAGREE</b> -- explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Our current board, as of June 2016, has approximately 70% new members and all vacancies are now filled. We have been working hard to meet the requirements of the mental health services act and achieve our own goals to advocate for persons with mental illness. We do agree that in the past the MHAB has not worked as effectively as it might to increase community awareness on issues related to mental health. However, the current board has a concrete dated plan to achieve this through a number of actions, including: a planned retreat/training; a series of public town hall meetings for the community; and more public and media exposure. The Board of Supervisors is providing little or no direction, no specific goals and

objectives, and no comprehensive training on how to be an effective advisory board. X AGREE ____ PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion <b>DISAGREE</b> – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The MHAB currently sees signs of this changing with the new Supervisor Greg Caput. He is attending MHAB meetings in person, communicating clearly and fully and working with us on goals, training and follow-through. We invite all the County Supervisors to become more involved in our ongoing process. Mental Health Advisory Board members attribute some of their deficiencies to the

difficulty of filling vacant positions. X AGREE <b>PARTIALLY DISAGREE</b> – explain the disputed portion <b>DISAGREE</b> – explain why <b>Response explanation</b> (required for a response other than <b>Agree</b>): . .

The Mental Health Advisory Board takes no responsibility for investigation or possible action on issues raised at their meetings, and there is no general process available for the public to raise concerns. AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion X DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The MHAB does take action. We thoroughly listen to complaints/concerns brought forward by the public, encourage people to express their concerns in writing and refer them to the appropriate agency/person. When necessary, we forward written complaints to Karolin Schwartz of Quality Assurance. However, the MHAB needs input from the County on when and how we can expect a response regarding what we turn in so we can effectively support a resolution of the complaints.

Without any regular communication with the Board of Supervisors, except a written report once every two years, the Mental Health Advisory Board is not fulfilling its advisory responsibility. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion <b>DISAGREE</b> – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The amount of former communication with the Board of Supervisors was insufficient as we were not educated on this requirement. Now, however, we are meeting individually with Supervisors, inviting them to our meetings, and sending at least annual informal reports in addition to the required report every two years.

The Mental Health Advisory Board receives a great deal of information from local mental health agencies and professionals on available programs and services, but there is no mechanism to circulate and share the information with the community and to keep local mental health professionals up to date. AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion X DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The current board has created new methods to circulate and share information with the community and mental health professionals through regular maintenance and update of our web page available through the County, announcements and articles in the media, and a public bulletin board. Town halls and information fairs are planned for the future, as is more regular information sharing with professional groups like the Monterey Bay Psychological Association, local school districts, etc. ٠.

The Grand Jury's involvement has resulted in an increased recognition that an effective Mental Health Advisory Board is important to the community and that more positive steps are needed for continuing improvement. X AGREE ____ PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion ____ DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): . . .