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County leaders warn of budget uncertainty while new diversion, restoration and navigation efforts advance
Summary
Humboldt County Behavioral Health staff reported on an array of operational issues: potential state and federal budget cuts, a state hospital/diversion grant to expand local diversion and community‑based restoration, an ongoing navigation center negotiation and recent CIT training and workforce efforts.
Humboldt County Behavioral Health Director Andy Boxer Rogers briefed the board on budget uncertainties and several program developments, saying the department is monitoring state and federal fiscal changes that could affect service levels.
“We are watching everything that’s happening,” the director said, noting the state May revise and possible federal changes later in the year. He said the department is preparing for potential reductions and exploring ways to continue services with fewer resources.
The board heard that the county has successfully applied for state funding to expand diversion and community‑based restoration programs. Deputy directors and program staff described a forthcoming state hospital diversion award and a community‑based restoration program that together aim to reduce the time people with severe mental illness spend in jail while waiting for state hospitalization. County staff said the diversion program is expected to serve about 25 people a year and the community‑based restoration program to include eight beds, with program length and throughput based on clinical need.
A separate program update described Care Court (California’s Care Court pathway) as beginning to reshape local conservatorship and diversion practices. Board members and staff gave several examples of using legal and clinical pathways to place people in needed treatment more quickly.
Navigation center: Board members were told the county sent a certified letter to a vendor (named in the meeting as Justin Zabel) indicating a potential contract breach for delayed site design. The vendor replied and said a design would be delivered within the 30‑day window specified by the county; staff said they would continue to monitor progress and work with the city on alternatives if the current site cannot move forward.
Workforce and training: Multiple staff reported workforce shortages as a critical constraint. The board was told that Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods are expanding health workforce pathways, and the county has hired a consultant to plan behavioral health workforce needs. Members noted a local CIT (crisis intervention team) 40‑hour training last week that graduated 35 people representing law enforcement, tribal partners, probation, corrections and county staff; board members called the training successful and urged broader participation.
Actions: The board approved minutes from the March 27 meeting by voice vote; the minutes approval was recorded as a standard motion and voice vote with no roll‑call recorded.
Ending: County leaders said they will return with more detailed budget updates when the state May revise is published and as federal decisions become clearer. Staff recommended continuing community engagement on Care Court, diversion and navigation center proposals and asked board members to forward questions about programming to county staff for response.
