Score: +3 (8/4/5)
Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2019-2020

“The Last Resort” detailed the problems associated with mental health issues in the Hccf

Published: June 19, 2020 16 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 9 findings

F1
The use of outside, for-profit contractors to provide medical and mental health practitioners may shield the County from lawsuits, but such contracts may sacrifice quality of care, as numerous lawsuits against those contractors throughout the country have alleged. (R1)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department use outside, for-profit contractors to fill vacant staff positions for mental health services only when exhaustive efforts of recruitment have failed. Such contracts should be well- scrutinized to assure quality, cost-effectiveness, adequate oversight, and accountability, effective October 1, 2020. (F1)
F2
Lengthy vetting, onboarding, recruitment and retention problems in both the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and Humboldt County Mental Health impede the effective delivery of mental health care. (R2)
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Human Resources Department and Department of Health and Human Services thoroughly examine and improve their effectiveness in hiring, onboarding, and recruitment processes to better fill vacancies. These changes should be implemented by January 1, 2021. (F2)
F3
Use of a local Competency Restoration Program would improve service to inmates in need of mental health support prior to court appearances and could reduce cost to the County. (R3)
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department proceed with implementation of a State approved Competency Restoration Program in coordination with Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Service, effective January 1, 2021. (F3)
F4
Increasing the training and certification of Substance Use Disorder Counselors in Juvenile Hall should increase effectiveness of treatment for juvenile detainees. (R4)
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Probation Department provide trained and certified Substance Use Disorder counselors to increase effectiveness of treatment for detainees in Juvenile Hall, effective January 1, 2021. (F4)
F5
Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility has a physical atmosphere that is not conducive to mental health rehabilitation. This facility needs to be replaced with a larger, modern facility designed to accommodate both adults and juveniles for the patients’ well-being. (R5)
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Board of Supervisors complete and approve the comprehensive infrastructure plan relative to County buildings and grounds, and specifically include Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility as a high priority project. This plan should be completed by January 1, 2021. (F5)
F6
Mental health services would be improved if step-down housing was provided for patients as they exit secure facilities. (R6)
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services integrate the use of step-down housing for patients being discharged from secure facilities. These services should be available to all patients by January 1, 2021. (F6)
F7
Increasing the Mobile Response Team hours of availability would improve service to those in need of immediate mental health intervention while reducing the burden incurred by law enforcement and hospital emergency rooms. (R7)
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services expand staffing of the Mobile Response Team to around-the-clock (24/7/365), effective October 1, 2020. (F7)
F8
Laura’s Law (AB1421) has been found to be beneficial in the California counties that have adopted it. Adoption of Laura’s Law by Humboldt County would provide a major option for treatment of people suffering from mental illness. (R8)
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopt and implement the components of Laura’s Law (AB1421) as another option for evaluation and treatment by mental health professionals, effective January 1, 2021. (F8)
F9
Opportunity for self-improvement of youths housed in the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall would improve if volunteer-community organizations were able to provide additional learning programs. (R9)
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Humboldt County Probation Department proactively seek volunteer-community organizations that can provide learning opportunities to the youths housed in the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall. (F9)

Agency Responses 4

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

No Responses Found 2

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Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Humboldt County Sheriff Elected County Office