LOYALTON - Over the last two years, California has mandated sweeping and significant increases in the scope of behavioral health programs throughout the state. The changes include, but are not limited to, the requirement of a 24/7 Mobile Crisis Center staffed by a licensed clinician and likely accompanied by a law enforcement officer, increased focus on housing for the homeless and mental health patients (which could be further exacerbated if Proposition 1 passes in March), and providing county-operated managed care.

As a result, Sheryll Prinz-McMillan, Director of Behavioral Health, gave a presentation on Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors outlining the possibility of a monumental increase in staff, services, and spending for her department. She estimates that staff will need to increase by about seven full time employees to meet the state’s minimum requirements, and that there may be additional spending on facilities, since the department’s buildings can’t sufficiently accommodate the increased workforce. Prinz-McMillan noted that even if the Board were to grant the required funding for staff, finding applicants would be unlikely. Jobs posted in Sierra and partner counties have remained unfilled for years at a time.

The board was apprehensive about the changes, with Supervisor Adams advising Prinz-McMillan to be practical in a county of 3,000, and that there has to be nuance for counties in such a situation. Adams does not believe the county has the resources to provide all that the state would require, and believes that at some point Sierra County may have to “say no” and refuse to comply with mandates that could bankrupt it. Adams also noted that residents have to go out of town for a number of reasons, saying “that’s just life,” and that the remoteness is why many choose to move to the county in the first place.

This fiscal year, Behavioral Health plans to add the equivalent of 0.5 full time employees, and hopes to make the staffing increase as gradual as possible. More updates will be brought to the board as requirements take effect, and members of the board, particularly Supervisor Adams, are expected to attempt to pursue small county exceptions at the state level with partners such as Rural County Representatives of California.

Other news from the Board:

Board Meetings Now Video Streamed

Although supervisor meetings have had audio streaming via conference call for years, Tuesday’s meeting marked only the second time the board could be viewed by video stream. Screens are being used both in Downieville and Loyalton so that the supervisors may also see the video streams of those participating in the meeting remotely. Links to these streams are provided in the meeting agendas on the county’s website. Though not without the inevitable technical difficulties that often plague the format (especially as the board familiarizes itself with its use), the offering is a welcome improvement to board meeting visibility.

Calpine Community Hall Deemed Structurally Sound

The Public Works Department received an engineer’s letter convincing them of the structural integrity of the Calpine Community Hall, and use of the hall will no longer be restricted. The department is continuing to work toward a set of plans for the hall’s remodel, which will be generally cosmetic.