Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UC Davis therapists and community groups press county for clarity, stable funding for youth services
Summary
Public commenters, including UC Davis therapists and representatives of Hooked on Fishing, Not on Violence, urged the board to clarify grant language and provide stable contracts for the CARE Center, saying funding uncertainty undermines treatment planning and staff retention; the board directed staff to follow up with the speakers' offices.
Several public commenters at the Feb. 10 Board of Supervisors meeting urged Sacramento County to clarify grant language for community programs and to stabilize funding for a longstanding child and adolescent mental-health contract.
Marvel (Marvell) Wilson of Hooked on Fishing, Not on Violence said the group expected a grant but had questions about whether the referenced TOT-related item required them to raise funds first or would be a reimbursement. County staff and supervisors responded that the deadline for the referenced application was extended to Feb. 14 and offered to connect Wilson with staff to clarify eligibility and application tracks.
Joseph Tanner, who identified himself during public comment, said Hooked on Fishing has worked in local communities for years and asked staff (Mr. Villanueva was referenced) to follow up to clear up confusing language in the referral.
Daniella Barrera Barajas, a mental-health therapist at UC Davis (speaking as a private citizen), and a colleague said the Child Abuse Resource and Evaluation (CARE) Center — which provides counseling for victims of crime, trafficking, exploitation and high-risk youth — was informed it would not be awarded a county contract. Barrera Barajas said the contract, in place since 1999, was extended for one year but that the funding uncertainty makes treatment planning and client rapport-building difficult and leads to staff turnover. She told the board, “We help people and save lives in the work that we do,” and asked supervisors to instruct the behavioral health committee to prioritize specialty programs and stable funding.
Chris Bennett, who identified himself as a candidate for Congress, spoke in support of the CARE Center and urged the board and Behavioral Health Committee to continue funding the program, emphasizing the need for resources to address child abuse and human trafficking.
Supervisors thanked the speakers and directed staff to meet with them and clarify the funding tracks and application details. Supervisor Serna specifically asked staff to brief him and his chief after the meeting and to have county staff provide follow-up details.
What’s next: Supervisors and county staff committed to follow-up meetings to clarify grant language, timelines and eligibility and to provide the speakers with additional information before the Feb. 14 deadline if appropriate.
