Alameda County advisory board urges permanent site for Safe Landing, more beds and data transparency; supervisors move to refer recommendations to full board

The Mental Health Advisory Board told a joint meeting of Alameda County's Health and Public Protection committees that the county must move quickly to make several CareFirst, Jails Last Task Force recommendations operational, including a permanent site for the Safe Landing reentry hub and a countywide needs assessment for subacute and psychiatric beds.

The advisory board’s presentation, delivered by Brian Blum, highlighted county jail mental-health acuity data showing roughly 385 people nightly with serious behavioral-health needs and reported that the Safe Landing Project — a mobile RV-based reentry hub that has served almost 11,000 people — lacks accessible, confidential space. “Safe Landing needs a permanent home,” Blum told supervisors, adding that Roots Community Health Center has secured a modular unit and that county partners must identify a permanent site and integrate the program into CalAIM reimbursement pathways.

Why it matters: Presenters argued the jail remains the county’s largest de facto behavioral-health provider and said building capacity in the community and at diversion points is essential to reduce unnecessary incarceration, improve outcomes and use state and federal funding efficiently.

Other priority recommendations presented included: a thorough county assessment of subacute and psychiatric bed needs (Blum said current demand outstrips inpatient capacity and noted recent BCHIP funding and Villa Fairmont bed buybacks); increased use and referral to the CARES navigation center (presenters said some law enforcement agencies underutilize the point-of-arrest diversion option); and development of an African American Wellness/Resource Center with psychiatric and family/peer supports.

Presenters also pressed for greater transparency and coordinated fiscal reporting. John Lindsay Poland, a member of the CareFirst ad hoc committee, asked the CAO to publish a semiannual dashboard listing funds earmarked for CareFirst-related services, including CalAIM, realignment, reinvestment and settlement-related allocations, and to convene DA, Sheriff, Public Defender, Superior Court and Behavioral Health to ensure outcome data are shared where permitted.

Supervisors’ response and next steps: Committee members thanked the advisory board, sought written staff responses and asked for feasibility analyses. Chair Marquez moved to direct county staff to analyze and report back on nine prioritized recommendations (including Safe Landing, psychiatric bed assessments, CARES navigation center improvements, court-based diversion and the African American Resource Center) and to forward the results to the full Board. Supervisor Miley seconded the motion; the transcript records the motion and second but does not include a roll-call vote.

Public comment strongly urged faster action and Measure W funding allocation to housing and supportive services. Multiple family members and service providers recounted personal experiences and called for deep rental subsidies, licensed board-and-care preservation, and rapid housing pathways for people exiting jail.

What’s next: The committee asked staff to produce a joint board letter and cost/timeline analysis to be taken up by the full Board; presenters emphasized the need for benchmarks and regular public reporting to monitor implementation and outcomes.