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Plumas County behavioral-health leaders report staffing losses and wage-study plan to boost recruitment
Summary
County behavioral-health leaders reported recent resignations, vacancies and plans for a salary survey to inform the next fiscal-year budget. Commissioners noted the impact on mobile crisis implementation and service access and were told peer support and case-manager job descriptions will go to the board.
Plumas County behavioral-health leaders told the commission on March 4 that staffing shortages and turnover are hampering service delivery and the launch of new programs.
The behavioral health director, Sharon, reported several recent departures, including the resignation of a long-term licensed therapist and notice from the only in-person clinician in Portola. Sharon said the county is down to three case managers while the allocation is for 13 positions: "We're down to 3 case managers right now, but then we're supposed to we are allocated for 13," she said. She added that some allocations may be repurposed to peer-support specialist roles and that job descriptions for peer support specialists and case managers have been approved by the union and will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors.
Commissioners and staff described active recruitment for substance use disorder counselors, a systems analyst, a part-time clerical position and other vacancies. Gary Sanderson, in the substance-use report, said his team lost one of two SUD counselors in mid-February and is providing direct services as an interim measure while continuing recruitment.
County leaders described a commissioned salary survey covering health, human services and public works positions; the results will be used to propose pay adjustments in the fiscal-year budget starting July 1. Sharon said the board will receive an initial review of survey results this spring and the county intends to use the findings in next year's budget planning to address off-market wages that complicate hiring and retention.
Jessica McGill updated the commission on mobile crisis implementation, saying the next implementation meeting is scheduled for June 17 and that contracting conversations are underway with local agencies, including exploratory roles for the fire chief and other first-responder teams as community health workers. McGill also said the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to review and approve a peer position at its April 14 meeting and that a consumer perception survey (2,025 responses) will be posted on the county website.
Directors stressed operational limits for telehealth in serving severely mentally ill clients and the need for in-person clinicians for high-need populations. Sharon also said she plans to retire next year.
No formal board action was taken; staff said the wage study and recruitment efforts will inform budget proposals to the Board of Supervisors.
