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IPRTF calendar set; BCC work group, booking restriction briefing and finance scenario planning added
Summary
Task force staff proposed a draft 2025 calendar and members agreed to form a behavioral care center (BCC) work group, schedule a briefing on booking restriction reductions and plan scenario work with the Finance Advisory Board (FAB) to evaluate funding trade-offs.
Whatcom County's Implementation & Policy Reform Task Force reviewed a draft 2025 calendar of meetings and agreed on next steps to spin up work groups, schedule briefings and seek financial scenario planning.
Task force co-chairs and staff said March's meeting will include a vote to form a work group on the Behavioral Care Center (BCC) and that the committee intends to fold Link/diversion topics into that work group rather than create a separate body. One staff member said Eric (county civil counsel) had sent a trove of documents on BCC models to his civil department for legal review and that the work group would begin with stakeholders such as behavioral health providers.
The sheriff's office will present on booking restriction reduction and interim solutions at the March meeting; under-sheriff Harris or Chief Erickson were identified as potential presenters. Task force members asked Lifeline Connections and other jail reentry partners to share data showing changes in booking and release of people with serious mental illness.
Members also discussed the draft calendar's committee report schedule, including committee presentations in June and a May/June timing for joint reports by Behavioral Health and Legal & Justice. Staff said they will produce an annual report for review in April and May and approval by the task force in June.
Finance and feasibility: Several members urged scenario planning for the county's public health and safety tax funds and other revenue changes. One member asked for a pro forma funding profile for the 23-hour behavioral care model that would include how state and federal funding (including Medicaid changes) could affect viability and what lanes (who does what) are expected among partners. Task force members said the Finance Advisory Board (FAB) should be invited to provide scenario analysis to guide trade-offs.
Ending: Staff said they will update the draft calendar, coordinate presenters for March and work to gather the requested data and scenario analyses for upcoming meetings.
