Plumas County behavioral health department reports housing setback, staffing churn and budget turnaround

PLUMAS COUNTY, Calif. — County behavioral health officials on Aug. 6 told the Plumas County Behavioral Health Commission that the Rural Community Housing Development Corporation (RCHDC) has decided not to proceed with a planned memorandum of understanding for a proposed Plumas County multifamily project, and that the department is reassessing housing approaches while continuing to recruit key staff.

A letter from RCHDC read during the meeting said, in part, that "after careful consideration, RCHDC has decided not to move forward at this time with executing a memorandum of understanding... This decision is largely due to the current uncertainty in the affordable housing sector, driven by reductions in federal funding under the current presidential administration." The letter was signed by a project contact named Ryan.

Commission staff reported the department is continuing to post for a continuing care coordinator who would manage housing‑related work for behavioral health and navigate partnerships for permanent supportive housing. The department also reported a successful hire for a nursing position pending fingerprint and background clearance, and noted the resignation of a social services director that affected plans to host practicum students who had been expected to support programs.

Officials said the Quincy Wellness Center was closed and the department now partners with public health to use opioid settlement funds to support the Chester and Portola wellness centers. Department staff noted these settlement funds are separate from federal grant sources and are an ongoing funding stream in the county.

On budget matters, staff reported they submitted a preliminary behavioral health budget on July 7 showing a $4.5 million deficit, but after contracting with consultant Shelly Evans to rework line items and apply accounting adjustments, the department submitted a final budget on July 25 showing a $1 million surplus. Department staff said part of the surplus is intended for the prudent reserve to cover high‑cost placements such as out‑of‑county hospitalizations, and that the director plans to ask the Board of Supervisors to use some of the surplus for recruitment incentives and wage adjustments for therapists.

Staff emphasized ongoing critical staffing shortages that limit the department's ability to staff a mobile crisis unit; they said the department has not yet been able to staff that unit because of resignations and recruitment gaps. Commissioners and staff discussed the need to support recruitment and retention, and noted the county has contracted an outside firm to perform a county‑wide salary study that will include health care minimum wage requirements.

Next steps: the department will continue recruiting for the continuing care coordinator and nursing roles, evaluate housing options in light of RCHDC's decision, pursue Board of Supervisors approval for use of surplus funds for recruitment and retention measures, and continue strategic planning to align services and mandates.