Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health Update topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Behavioral‑health leaders report progress on treatment beds, workforce and older‑adult suicide prevention
Summary
County behavioral health officials reported added treatment beds, progress on a 530‑bed target, UCSF workforce recommendations under implementation, and an early decline in older‑adult suicidality; the Board requested a one‑year update on the older‑adult plan and a six‑month workforce status report.
Behavioral Health staff told the Board they have added 273 treatment beds since July 1, 2022, and are on track to exceed the county goal of 530 beds when projects in process are completed. Officials outlined a contractor/developer model for converting county‑owned properties into treatment facilities and said additional beds will serve substance‑use, withdrawal management and psychiatric needs.
Staff also highlighted workforce efforts following a UCSF study and state workforce planning, including loan‑repayment incentives and aligned education cohorts. The department reported improved discharge outcomes for youth and an early decrease in older‑adult suicidality in five‑year aggregates; supervisors asked for continued monitoring and directed a one‑year report back on the older‑adult strategic plan and a six‑month update on workforce‑recommendation implementation. "We are on track to exceed that goal," a deputy director said of the bed target, and staff committed to quarterly updates on solicitation progress and workforce grant outcomes.
