Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves $5.55 million appropriation modification for veteran suicide-prevention program; asks BHSD to assist and for quarterly reports
Summary
Supervisors approved an appropriation modification of $5,551,358 to fund a veteran suicide prevention grant and directed Behavioral Health Services Department to assist the Veterans Services Office with program development and to report quarterly on implementation.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on April 22 approved a consent-item appropriation modification of $5,551,358 for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program in the Social Services Agency's Veterans Services Office (VSO). The board also requested Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) participation in program development and quarterly reporting on implementation.
Background: the appropriation modification increases estimated revenues and expenditure appropriations in the VSO budget to accept and implement the grant. The grant-funded program is designed to provide screening, outreach and a wraparound set of suicide-prevention activities targeted to high-risk veterans; staff said the initial award will serve up to 100 veterans at highest risk.
Public and stakeholder input: veterans' organizations and commissioners spoke in support of the funding and urged rapid implementation; several community speakers described outreach capacity and clinical partnerships that could support the program.
Board instructions: Supervisors asked that BHSD play a direct role in assisting VSO with program development and implementation to ensure that clinical and crisis resources are in place and that veterans are not left without care if the VA route has access barriers. The board directed BHSD and VSO to return with quarterly implementation reports and confirmed the county's commitment to using federal and local clinical resources to support veterans.
Vote and next steps: the board approved the appropriation modification and directed BHSD to coordinate with VSO and to report back to the Board (rolled into the consent calendar removal and later approval). The vote was unanimous.
Ending: supervisors and veterans' groups said they will monitor program start-up and expect quarterly updates on outreach, enrollment and clinical outcomes.
