Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Annual Reports - Do you have advice and examples of local Annual Reports (as required in WIC 5604.2)? 
    1. See: Best Practices 2019 - Go to Table of Contents. Select "Annual Reports"
    2. See: TEMPLATES/SAMPLE DOCS - Go to "Annual Reports"
  2. Committees - We have difficulty maintaining leadership and making quorum for our "Standing Committees", and the staff is stretched too thin with scheduling and taking minutes for too many meetings. Advice? "Standing Committees" are not required by WIC 5604.2, although may be required in your local board/commission bylaws.  Possible alternatives:
    1. Forming "Ad Hoc" committees to research specific issues or address projects (Annual Reports, Data Notebooks) - see "Ad Hocs" 
    2. Asking individual members to attend meetings not hosted by your board (such as other commissions, committees and organizations).  Members could periodically provide short reports to your full board and/or recommend related speakers.
  3. Expenses - Could you provide information regarding expense reimbursement for local members?  5604.3 W&I Code states, "The Board of Supervisors may pay from any available funds the actual and necessary expenses of the members of the Mental Health Board of a Community mental health services incurred incident for the performance of their official duties and functions. The expenses may include travel, lodging, child care and meals for the members of an advisory board while on official business as approved by the director of mental health programs."
             Also, there is a document on our resources page, called "Member Guide" that contains a "Reimbursement of Expenses", policy and form:  http://www.calbhbc.org/uploads/5/8/5/3/58536227/mh_board_member_guide_-_01.19.pdf​
  4. Fiscal MHSA Information - How can I understand the numbers and time frames?  See "Fiscal Information" (right column) at: http://www.calbhbc.com/mhsa-plans--updates.html
  5. Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plans & Updates - It is a challenge to review such large documents.  Suggestions?
        1. Ask staff for an “Executive Summary" that includes substantive recommendations and describes substantive changes.
        2. Review demographics to identify areas of need and improvement.
        3. Agendize presentations for sections throughout the year.
        4. Divide sections among individuals who report to the larger body.
        5. Step back and take a systems approach when advising Behavioral Health Director and Board of Supervisors.
  6. New Member Orientation - How can we acclimate new members?
    1. Provide a "Member Guide". See https://www.calbhbc.com/uploads/5/8/5/3/58536227/mh_board_member_guide_-_01.19.pdf
    2. Have one or two of your members meet with new member(s) to review the "Member Guide" and/or review the duties as listed in WIC 5604.2.  This is also provided in CALBHB/C Newsletters and at: https://www.calbhbc.com/duties.html 
    3. Send new members to Mental Health Board trainings.  Schedule of upcoming training at:  https://www.calbhbc.com/meetings-and-training.html 
    4. Present a New Member Orientation PowerPoint to new members (edit to fit your local board/commission).  Need technical assistance with PowerPoint slides - contact us!
  7. Recruitment of Members - Do you have advice for finding potential members to recommend to our Board of Supervisors for appointment onto our board/commission?  Here is a link to recruitment materials, including a sample flyer:  http://www.calbhbc.com/templatessample-docs.html ​(see "Recruitment").  Also see "Recruitment" in the Best Practices 2019 document for suggestions.
  8. Recruitment of Mental/Behavioral Health Director - Do you have advice for a good process for recruiting a new Mental/Behavioral Health Director? Below is a suggested process that was shared with CALBHB/C: 
    1. Two members of the MHB participated in the process.  They joined a group of individuals, led by the HHS Director, including Sheriff/Probation, Public Health Official and others. The MHB members (chair and another member) participated by:    A) Offering input to the set list of interview questions  MHB member questions included: A question about the candidate's experience working with individuals with severe mental illness, and a question about the candidates ideas for strategies around addressing local mental health issues. B) Participating in the interviews (the chair attended one round of interviews, and the other member attended the second round).  Each individual on the interview panel was given one question to ask the candidates (the first round had 7 candidates, and the second round had 2 or 3 candidates)    C) There was a scoring sheet that each interviewer completed.
  9. Role and requirements of Mental/Behavioral Health Director - What is the role of the Mental/Behavioral Health Director?  Per WIC 5607: [The Director of Mental Health Services]:  The local mental health services shall be administered by a local director of mental health services to be appointed by the governing body [Board of Supervisors}.  He or she shall meet such standards of training and experience as the State Department of Health Care Services, by regulation, shall require.  Applicants for these positions need not be residents of the city, county, or state, and may be employed on a full or part-time basis.  If a county is unable to secure the services of a person who meets the standards of the State Department of Health Care Services, the county may select an alternate administrator.      The local director of mental health services shall have the following powers and duties:(a) Serve as chief executive officer of the community mental health service responsible to the governing body through administrative channels designated by the governing body. (b) Exercise general supervision over mental health services provided under this part. (c) Recommend to the governing body, after consultation with the advisory board, the provision of services, establishment of facilities, contracting for services or facilities and other matters necessary or desirable in accomplishing the purposes of this division. (d) Submit an annual report to the governing body reporting all activities of the program, including a financial accounting of expenditures and a forecast of anticipated needs for the ensuing year. (e) Carry on studies appropriate for the discharge of his or her duties, including the control and prevention of mental disorders. (f) Possess authority to enter into negotiations for contracts or agreements for the purpose of providing mental health services in the county.
  10. Site Visits - Do you have advice, sample policies and examples of forms for conducting site visits? 
    1. See: Best Practices 2019 - See "Site Visits"
    2. See: TEMPLATES/SAMPLE DOCS - Go to "Site Visits" (right column)​
  11. Integrating Mental Health with Alcohol & Drug Board/Commission
    1. See "Duties: Alcohol & Drug" in the Best Practices 2019 Handbook
    2. See "Behavioral Health Board Bylaws" (San Diego or Marisposa) for example of integrated board bylaws:  https://www.calbhbc.com/templatessample-docs.html
  12. Mental Health Services offered in county jails - How can we review these services?
  1. Invite the following speakers to address Mental Health services/programs, "warm hand-offs" and access to Mental Health services in preparation and upon release:  Jail Warden/staff, BH Director/staff, related Contractors/staff, Probation Director/staff.
  2. Board Liaison - Ask one of your local board/commission members to attend the local Community Corrections Partnership (AB 109) Committee meetings and report back to your local board/commission.
  3. Site Visits (access varies by jurisdiction).
  4. Patients Rights Advocates are authorized to review the mental health programs in jails.  They are a good source of information and they are advocates.  Invite them to participate regularly at your monthly meetings. Disability Rights CA - Local Patients Rights Advocates Contact Info













OFFICE

717 K STREET, SUITE 427
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

mission

cALBHB/C supports the work of california's 59 local mental/ behavioral health boards and commissions by providing resources, training, and opportunities for communication and statewide advocacy.

Local boards are responsible for reviewing community mental health needs, services, facilities and special problems, and serve in an advisory capacity to local governing bodies and local mental/behavioral health directors per CA Welfare and Institutions Code 5604.2.
Donations are welcome. CALBHB/C is a nonprofit organization.