Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Blog

The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) is in the process of reassessing the MHSA Workforce Education and Training (WET) budget.  OSHPD created a five-year WET budget plan for 2014-2019 for $114,744,090 that was approved by the California Mental Health Planning Council in January 2014.  They are now conducting a series of stakeholder processes in the next couple of months to decide how unexpended state MHSA WET funds should be allocated over the next 2 years.  $63,872,046 had been allocated for FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16.  OSHPD expects that approximately $54,774,269 will be expended leaving an estimated unexpended balance of $9,097,777.  Additionally, there is a $1,441,264 from pre five-year plan contracts that was not expended.  This leaves an approximate available balance of $61,411,085 available for re-adjustment for FY 2016-17 and FY 2017-18.  The link below is a presentation that outlines the five-year MHSA WET plan budget and the reassessment process.  Please respond to this blog with ideas/comments on how the unexpended funds can be used be used to improve the workforce education and training needs of our public behavioral health system.  I will then forward the suggestions to OSHPD.

http://www.oshpd.ca.gov/HWDD/2015/WET/WET-Budget-Re-Assessment-Presentation-20150929.pdf

On September 10^th and 11^th, BHRS provided two intensive and fun days of orientation for approximately 40 new trainees and interns.  The BHRS trainees/interns represent multiple professions (social workers, MFTs, psychologists, occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, etc.) and are working in sites all over the county. Sites include the Youth Services Center,  Central, EPA, Coastside, and North regional clinics, Service Connect, Serramonte Therapeutic Day School, Pre to 3, School-Based Mental Health, Canyon Oaks, Pathways, etc.  The 2-day orientation provided an introduction to our system of care and featured presentations from managers and staff from our Child and Youth Division, Adult and Older Adult Division, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, Total Wellness, Quality Management, Office of Diversity and Equity, and Voices of Recovery.  The trainees/interns also received clinical training in trauma-informed care and self-care, and heard from the Lived Experience Academy Speakers Bureau about how to be a thoughtful and effective clinician.  The Office of Diversity and Equity capped off the orientation with the Amazing Dialogue contest in which the trainees/interns learn everything they can about the different Health Equity Initiatives and vote which HEI has the best table.  This year the PRIDE Initiative was the big winner with a fun combination of music, trivia, information, and button-making!  The trainees/interns are off to a strong start to this year of clinical training and experience!

PRIDE Initiative participants

Trainees learn about the different Health Equity Initiatives

An evaluation by the RAND Corporation shows promising results for the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)—a coalition of California counties— implementation of statewide initiatives to help reduce mental health stigma and discrimination, prevent suicide, and improve student mental health. Following are some highlights of the report, you can also read the full report here.

• Social marketing campaigns were associated with reduced mental illness stigma and greater confidence to intervene with those at risk for suicide.
• Trainings improved knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental illness, and made participants feel more prepared to help those in distress.
• Online resources reached many and efforts to drive people to websites were key.
• Collaborative partnerships influenced mental health– related policies in California.

CalMHSA PEI activities are funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).  It’s exciting to see the partnership and joint effort making a difference in promoting positive mental health outcomes across the state. However, the report also found that “without strategic and continued investment in statewide PEI programming, many of the gains associated with the larger initial investment are at risk of being lost.”

A few examples of CalMHSA programs and outcomes include:

The “Each Mind Matters” stigma reduction campaign, which reached 1 in 4 California adults. Since the campaign’s inception, the stigma of mental illness has decreased in California: More Californians say they are willing to socialize with, live next door to, and work closely with people experiencing mental illness, and they report that they are providing greater social support to those with mental illness.

A cadre of Californians where trained to become trainers in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). Cost-benefit analyses of ASIST showed that just one year of CalMHSA’s investment in creating this group of ASIST trainers is projected to prevent at least 3,600 suicide attempts and 140 deaths over the next 28 years.

The RAND Corporation evaluated CalMHSA’s PEI initiatives and provided evidence that CalMHSA successfully developed PEI resources and programs; reached large numbers of Californians; and improved the knowledge, attitudes, and intentions of those who were reached.

Over the past several weeks I have had the chance to attend some great events sponsored by BHRS and community partners. Each were highly successful as evidenced by the great turnouts and really high energy levels in the room.

On September 2nd, I went to the Central Community Services Area first ever “Day of Partnering”. Because of a prior commitment I arrived about an hour late. Not really knowing what to expect, as I neared the community room at the San Mateo Library the noise grew louder and louder. And when I entered I saw about 100 people engrossed in “speed partnering”, meeting each other and learning about the resources in the area. It was clear that this event “hit the spot”. What was great to see was representatives from organizations that are not typically found in our events such as dental services. The event epitomized one of the key tenets of our CSA model-creating a strong connection between BHRS staff and services with the broader community. Congratulations to Linda Simonsen, Bobbie Cervantes and all the others who planned the event!!

On September 12th I attended the East Palo Alto’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition’s annual Community Wide Retreat. As always, the event attracted a wide variety of community members who were there to affirm their community’s strong commitment to health and wellness for all residents. The day was highlighted by three youth from EPA telling their personal stories of how substance use impacted their families and themselves, how connecting to positive peers and strong adult allies has been key to their own wellness and gave some sage advice to the adults in the room on how to connect with they youth in EPA. As with all the various community events in EPA the spirit of hope prevailed. Thanks to Dr. Faye and her staff for all of their hard work in making this a continuous hit!!

This past Friday was the “Speak Up, Save A Life Prevention Forum” at the San Mateo Library. I arrived early and asked staff how many people they were anticipating. Their answers ranged from 30 to 50. Well by the time the program started it was standing room only that had staff scurrying for chairs. Such an affirmation of the importance of the event and recognition of the need to foster and grow the partnership. Kudos to the many staff and partners who were instrumental in making this happen.

And last but not least, this past Saturday was “Sana Sana” in Half Moon Bay. The weather could not have been better to draw so many families out to celebrate their community, receive critical health and behavioral health information, and get connected to health, social services and recreational resources. The focus on health and wellness permeated the event. Congratulation to Ziomara Ochoa, Hector Moncada, Arlette Molina, Regina Moreno and all the others who make this such a spirited and highly successful event!!

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend such events. They each personify some of our key BHRS values, in particular: “Partnerships-We can achieve our mission and progress towards our vision only through mutual and respectful partnerships that enhance our capabilities and build our capacity.”