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County officials say California waiver and new stabilization program are on track; board asks for standard metrics
Summary
County staff reported progress on a justice‑involved services initiative and a new Early Access and Stabilization Services program reimbursed by the Department of State Hospitals; the board requested standardized year‑over‑year metrics and an off‑agenda update on a CMS waiver renewal.
County staff presented highlights of the justice‑involved initiative known in the report as the California advancing and innovating justice‑involved services program and fielded questions about data, reimbursement and capacity.
Michelle, who said she oversees the justice‑involved initiative, told the committee the county is participating in a CMS waiver renewal process and is among the early implementing jurisdictions. “The report is before you...we are really proud of the work we do,” she said, noting the county awaits CMS approval for the waiver renewal.
Dr. Daly (medical director of psychiatry for the initiative) described the Early Access and Stabilization Services (EASS) program, which began reimbursing the county through a partnership with the Department of State Hospitals in March 2025 for patients on the state hospital competency restoration waitlist. Linda Rodriguez, director of behavioral health operations, said the county has added social workers and multidisciplinary staff to improve care quality and that positions have been filled to support the program.
The public defender and other board members praised the county’s leadership and asked for clearer, standardized year‑over‑year metrics — including distinct counts for adults versus juveniles and measures that would allow assessment of outcomes such as recidivism. Board members also raised concerns about statewide shortages of court‑appointed competency evaluators and asked staff to report back on whether the county can expedite or expand local evaluator capacity. Staff agreed to work with the office of the supervisor to develop standardized metrics and provide an update on the waiver renewal when it is available.
The board voted to receive the report and directed staff to return with a follow‑up in a year that includes standardized metrics developed in coordination with the supervisor’s office.
