Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2014-2015
Proposition 63: Money for Mental Health Are We Getting It Right in Santa Cruz? 20132014 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 6 findings
F1
Counselors and psychiatrists are not readily available for existing and potential mental health clients.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
HSA should improve client access to mental health services by increasing available counseling hours for psychologists and psychiatrists at the Emeline facility. (F1)
F2
The lack of implementation of electronic health records (EHR) hampers mental health service to clients.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
HSA should use Electronic Health Records (EHR) for all mental and medical health services. (F2)
R3
HSA should use EHR to perform quantitative evaluations of program effectiveness. (F2, F3)
F3
Quantitative evaluation of the success of Prop 63 programs is extremely challenging without the implementation of an EHR.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
HSA should use EHR to perform quantitative evaluations of program effectiveness. (F2, F3)
F4
The apparent lapses of direct communication between the Advisory Board, HSA, and the Board of Supervisors impedes the Advisory Board’s goals of effective advocacy for clients and advising HSA concerning Prop 63 funded mental health programs.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
HSA should regularly attend the Mental Health Advisory Board meetings and should respond directly to the concerns raised. (F4)
R5
The Mental Health Advisory Board should quickly and clearly communicate to HSA all issues that come before the Board. (F4)
F5
The mandated stakeholder meetings are not successfully attracting participation by county residents.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
HSA should publicize mental health programs and promote them in a way that will educate and engage the larger community. (F5)
F6
Five vacancies on the 11member Advisory Board left it ineffective for months during our investigation. 8
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Board of Supervisors should fill all Advisory Board vacancies in a timely manner. (F6)
Commendations 1
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CM1C1. The Grand Jury commends HSA for working to provide services in the face of changing requirements, multiyear budget cuts, and evolving mental health treatment and prevention practices. C2. The Grand Jury commends the MHCAN peerled respite center for its success in helping clients avoid crises and support each other to help maintain good mental health. 9