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Sonoma County officials outline steps to sustain mobile crisis teams and prepare a $10M Measure O NOFA
Summary
County staff told the board they will release a $10 million Measure O NOFA to shore up mobile crisis services and pursue longer-term Medicaid billing for sustainability; labor groups and community speakers urged continued support and transparency on funding distribution.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on July 22 heard public comment and staff updates about mobile crisis teams funded in part with Measure O proceeds and approved related consent items as part of the consent calendar.
Labor and community representatives — including Ryan Williams speaking for SEIU and allied unions — urged the board to maintain and expand funding for mobile crisis teams that respond to behavioral health and homelessness-related calls. "These are fantastic programs... These are essential to the regional system of care," Williams said in support of item 14.
Director Nolan Sullivan and Health Services staff briefed the board on immediate steps to sustain partners through the coming fiscal year and to pursue longer-term revenue via a mobile crisis Medi-Cal benefit. Sullivan said the county intends to enter into one-time agreements to keep services running while pursuing three- to five-year contracts that emphasize financial sustainability and equitable geographic distribution. He said the county will release a $10,000,000 Measure O Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) in roughly two to three weeks for existing behavioral health, bridal and homeless programs that lost funding, with an objective of issuing checks by October.
Several members of the public, including Janice Carmen, asked for clarity on what the county had already paid for mobile crisis units (real estate, staffing and training) and where services are currently deployed. Staff responded they will provide a more detailed breakdown and that Measure O ad hoc work is underway to improve transparency.
The consent calendar (items 6—44), which included the mobile crisis agreements, passed in a roll-call vote. County staff emphasized that pursuing Medi-Cal billing and the NOFA are the top near-term priorities to avoid service disruptions while a longer-term, sustainable funding model is developed.
