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Supervisors approve psychiatric health facility (PUF) report after auditors find no clinical deficiencies
Summary
County behavioral‑health leadership told the Board that two successive audits of the county Psychiatric Health Facility (PUF) returned zero clinical findings; the Board accepted the 2023–24 and first‑half 2024–25 PUF report and asked staff to continue efforts to shorten lengths of stay and identify step‑down beds.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the annual report for the county’s Psychiatric Health Facility (PUF) on April 8 after Behavioral Wellness leadership described recent audits and operational challenges.
Director Tony Navarro told the board the PUF had received surprise and scheduled audits for 2023–24 and a follow‑up audit in 2025; in both cases auditors reported zero findings for clinical patient care — an outcome the director said was unusual and a credit to staff. Navarro also reported that the facility has experienced longer average lengths of stay driven by higher patient acuity and a shortage of long‑term beds and step‑down placements across the region. The department is continuing operational work, including re‑engaging a former assistant CEO who had previously helped the PUF governing board implement efficiencies.
Supervisor Lee pulled the item for discussion and thanked staff for the report; the board voted to approve the PUF report after Navarro’s presentation.
Why it matters: Psychiatric health facilities provide short‑term inpatient services for people with acute behavioral‑health needs; operational quality and the availability of downstream placements affect the facility’s capacity and the county’s ability to treat individuals safely in a timely way. The board’s acceptance of the report signals support for continued work to secure step‑down placements and contain length of stay.
Next steps: Staff will continue to implement operational recommendations, work on interagency placement options, and report back as needed. The Board’s approval does not change policy or funding at this meeting; it constitutes acceptance of the facility’s annual report as required by the PUF bylaws.
Speakers: County Behavioral Wellness Director Tony Navarro presented the report during the administrative agenda; Supervisor Lee pulled the item and moved approval.
