Board unanimously approves staffing additions to implement Behavioral Health Services Act planning

The Board voted unanimously Oct. 21 to amend the county’s salary and position allocation resolution to support expanded Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA, Prop 1) planning and policy work. Ruby Imperial, the county behavioral-health director, told supervisors that Prop 1 (approved by voters in March 2024) replaces the Mental Health Services Act and expands county responsibilities for integrated planning, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

Imperial said the new BHSA framework requires an integrated three-year plan, a behavioral-health outcomes and accountability report, and annual updates across multiple funding streams (Medi-Cal, realignment, federal/state grants and settlement dollars). To meet the reporting, data and stakeholder-engagement demands, the department proposed adding two staff services analysts and one Accountant 3. Imperial estimated the annual cost at $358,417 and said the positions would be fully funded by the BHSA administrative allowance and offset by deleting three long-term vacant positions.

The presentation described timelines under BHSA (counties must identify approved practices by July 2026 and demonstrate fidelity by July 2029) and the need for greater fiscal, data and community-planning capacity. Board members asked clarifying questions about scope and underserved populations; Imperial said the changes strengthen capacity for data-driven performance monitoring and community engagement. The board approved the amendment unanimously.