Committee forwards DPH JPA participation and $33.7M B‑CHIP grant terms for adolescent psychiatric unit

The Department of Public Health asked the committee to approve two related items: continued participation in the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) JPA and acceptance of B‑CHIP round 4 grant funding that funds construction of a 12‑bed adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit at Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG).

Marla Simmons, deputy director for behavioral health services, said the JPA allows counties to pool resources to implement behavioral‑health programs such as presumptive eligibility for foster children, peer certification pilots, and technology‑assisted warm line projects. She said the proposed resolution would allow the city to participate in future JPA projects without returning to the Board for each small project, with city attorney review of specific agreements.

DPH staff presented the B‑CHIP grant (advocates for human potential/AHP and the State Department of Health Care Services) approved in December 2022 for a not‑to‑exceed $33.7M to construct a 12‑bed adolescent inpatient unit at ZSFG. Staff explained the grant’s nonstandard terms require recording a declaration of restrictions on the sixth and seventh floors for at least 30 years, indemnifying DHCS, and allowing state receivership application if the city defaults. Staff characterized the agreement as consistent with prior rounds and requested retroactive authority to accept negotiated nonstandard terms.

Supervisors asked clarifying questions about whether the Board was waiving charter provisions (DPH said it was not waiving the charter) and confirmed the 30‑year use restriction and potential state remedies. The committee forwarded both resolutions to the full Board with a positive recommendation, 3–0.

Next steps: the resolutions will be considered by the full Board; staff indicated they will involve city attorney review for future JPA projects and seek to brief supervisors on implementation details.