Thursday, 03 March 2011 05:25

Amador Behavioral Health will host a public review of its annual Mental Health Services Act Update

slide2-amador_behavioral_health_will_host_a_public_review_of_its_annual_mental_health_services_act_update.pngAmador County – Amador County Behavioral Health announced this week that it will be hosting a public review of the annual Mental Health Service Act update.

The Amador County Mental Health Board and the public are both invited to attend a March 30 review of the Annual MHSA Update. A 30-day public comment period opened March 1 on the county’s Mental Health Services Act update and closes April 1, and a related public hearing is planned for April 30.

County consultant Rima Spight of Resource Development Associates announced the meeting, saying that “Mental Health Services Act legislation requires that counties submit an Annual Update documenting progress towards community goals over the past year (fiscal year 2009-2010) and outlining the implementation plan for each component of MHSA for the upcoming year,” fiscal year 2011-2012.

Spight said: “This year’s Annual Update presents an overview of services provided through the Community Services and Supports component of MHSA, which funds programs that provide direct, integrated services to individuals with serious and persistent mental health issues.”

The Annual Update also includes information on services that will be implemented during the next year through Amador health department’s plans for Workforce Education and Training, Prevention and Early Intervention, and Innovation.

The update reported that 3,807 individuals had been served in fiscal year 2009-2010, at a total cost of $703,000. It also listed 11 advocates or coordinators who participated in the stakeholder steering committee, in the local review process.

The update estimated that Behavioral Health would serve and support 3,767 people, at a total cost of $242,000 in fisal year 2011-2012. Total budget was estimated for $1.3 million, down 23 percent from this year’s budget.

Spight said a copy of the plan has been provided for review by the Amador County Mental Health Board, and the Annual Update has been posted on the county website. Paper copies of the plan are available by contacting Behavioral Health.

Following a 30-day public review period, a Mental Health Board meeting will be held to gather community feedback. Spight asked anyone with comments or questions to submit them prior to the meeting. During this meeting we will be presenting the Update to the Mental Health Board, and providing a forum for further community discussion.

The meeting will be held 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 at the Health and Human Services Building, 10877 Conductor Boulevard in Sutter Creek.

For questions, or special accommodations contact Lynn Thomas at (209) 223-6814.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.