Plumas County behavioral health reports audit progress, service counts and mobile-crisis planning

Gary, the substance-use administrator, reported that the Department of Health Care Services audit (conducted in April) produced a much smaller set of corrective action items than in prior years and that staff have resolved the outstanding corrective-action plans identified during the review.

"I received notification on about April 15 during my audit with the Department of Health Care Services that we have resolved all outstanding corrective action plans," Gary said, noting the department expects two or three findings for each program area compared with double-digit findings in past audits.

Gary gave April service metrics for the SUD program: 52 open treatment charts with 33 unduplicated clients served (63% penetration), four new intakes in April, two residential placements, and no open grievances during the reporting period. He attributed part of reduced penetration to seasonal work patterns and to the loss of an in-person drug- and alcohol-counselor position.

Jessica McGill, who gave the behavioral and mental health services report, described mobile crisis implementation work (next implementation meeting scheduled June 17) and said the county is recruiting for a peer position and working with partners to set rates and staffing. She also described the statewide consumer perception survey (UCLA-administered) scheduled for Aug. 18–22 and said past survey results show that while many respondents find county services accessible, they often report less improvement in measurable outcomes.

"A lot of people felt like the services are very accessible... but they don't find that they are having as meaningful outcomes as they would like," Jessica said.

Jessica and Gary invited commissioners to committee meetings (quality improvement and mobile crisis implementation) and asked for commissioner participation in reviewing surveys and quality data. Jessica said some reporting requirements (HSAG external quality review, BHIN reporting) are forthcoming and that the county must remedy interoperability and API requirements by October.

No formal votes were taken on program items at this meeting; staff asked commissioners to provide feedback on the annual report draft and to support preparation for the Board of Supervisors briefing on staffing and program needs.