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Building a Better Way for Behavioral Health Services


 

The Behavioral Health System in San Diego is broken. The services available are fragmented and not easily accessible. People with Behavioral Health struggles are ending up on the streets. We are seeing this in communities across our region every day. People are not getting the help they need. San Diego’s Behavioral Health System must be rebuilt. We’re Building a Better Way to provide Behavioral Health Services.

Our Vision: Patient-centered Care

Our vision is to improve the well-being of people coping with behavioral health issues using patient-centered care.

Patient-centered care directs more attention to the long-term needs of patients, enhances community level services, and creates less reliance on the reactive, crisis-focused care services. Patient-centered care is a better way to provide behavioral health treatment.

 

News: Behavioral Health

Adopted $7.23 Billion County Budget Supports Chair Nathan Fletcher's Framework for the Future

06/29/21

San Diego County’s unanimously adopted $7.23 billion Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget represents the new Board of Supervisors’ commitment to transform the County into a place that values fairness, equity and inclusion, and prioritizes community-centered policymaking.

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San Diego County supervisors approve $7.2B budget for 2021-2022 fiscal year

06/29/21

The budget includes money for programs aimed at reducing homelessness, environmental protection, governmental transparency and reforming the justice system.

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Supervisors Approve $7.2B County Budget with Increases for Mental Health, Environment

06/29/21

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to approve a $7.2 billion fiscal year 2021-22 spending plan for San Diego County.

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Our Newly-Adopted $7.2 Billion Budget Includes A Larger Focus On Mental Health

06/29/21

NBC 7's coverage of our historic County Budget.

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San Diego City, County Team Up On Latest Homeless Initiative

06/24/21

A joint effort by the city and county of San Diego to address homelessness in the area is set to begin next week.

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Shelters to expand, safe havens to open under new homeless strategy

06/21/21

Shelter beds will increase, safe havens for people with drug and mental health issues will be created and an intense outreach effort will be launched to address the growing number of homeless encampments on downtown San Diego streets, city and council officials announced Friday.

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Chair Fletcher, Mayor Gloria Detail Strategies to Address Pervasive Challenges Contributing to Chronic Homelessness

06/18/21

Recognizing the growing encampments of homeless people on the sidewalks of Downtown San Diego and the difficulty of placing unsheltered people suffering from addiction into existing programs, Mayor Todd Gloria and County Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher today detailed a new strategy to address the immediate and long-term challenges facing these vulnerable individuals.

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San Diego County announces first $5 million of $25 million in grants for mental health

05/24/21

Kicking off plans to invest $25 million in mental health care infrastructure in the coming years, San Diego County will announce a $5 million grant to community organizations on Monday.

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$5 Million from Behavioral Health Impact Fund to be Spent on 21 Transitional Housing Units, Crisis Treatment Vehicles, & Technology for Mental Health & Addiction Services

05/24/21

Twenty-one transitional housing units, 4 vehicles for crisis care teams and new technology for mental health and addiction services will be funded using $5 million of the $25 million County-City Behavioral Health Impact Fund.

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San Diego County To Make Overdose Reversing Drug Available In Community

05/21/21

San Diego County leaders Friday announced plans to increase community distribution of naloxone — an overdose reversal medication — at several community-based locations and clinics throughout the region following a spike in overdose deaths.

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Overdose Reversal Meds Soon to be Available at County Clinics for Anyone

05/21/21

The County of San Diego will soon make naloxone, an overdose reversal medication, widely available at several community-based locations and clinics throughout the county.

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Reaction to Ending Volunteers of America Southwest Contracts with County

05/04/21

There is a special place in hell for those who betray the public trust of the public by committing fraud with funds designated to help our veterans and the least among us. I applaud the whistleblowers who courageously spoke out and the county auditors whose relentless work has exposed the full scope of this fraud. We will continue our work to recover all mis-used funds and hope those responsible face the full weight of the law for their actions.

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Five Policies Chair Fletcher Introduced Were Passed at Tuesday’s Board Meeting

04/06/21

Five policies Chair Nathan Fletcher introduced or co-docketed during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting were supported during a marathon meeting that was still going after 10 p.m. The policies passed will address homelessness, the environment, behavioral health and support the event industry and denounce hate against the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

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Jewish Family Service of San Diego to host virtual behavioral health event

04/03/21

To promote mental health awareness, the Behavioral Health Committee of Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is hosting a virtual event on Thursday, April 29, from 12 -1 p.m., keynoted by fashion icon, author and mental health advocate Tim Gunn.

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Chair Fletcher Secures Board Support to Overturn Outdated County Policy on Needle Exchange Programs

01/26/21

Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, today received support from a majority of the Board, to create comprehensive substance use harm reduction and syringe services programs for San Diego County. The Board voted 3-2 in favor of the policy.

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Social Justice Leaders, Farmers & Retailers are High on New Equitable Cannabis Policies for San Diego County

01/25/21

Chair Nathan Fletcher & Vice Chair Nora Vargas’ economic access and social equity cannabis policies will expand farming, manufacturing and retail opportunities; and create good paying jobs in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

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Supervisors to consider needle exchange program, cannabis businesses

01/25/21

Excerpts from the entire article published by the San Diego Union Tribune: The San Diego County supervisors this week will consider allowing cannabis growers and sellers to operate in unincorporated areas and will vote on whether to support a needle exchange program for intravenous drug users.

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Commentary: San Diego County’s mobile crisis response teams will fill a gap in mental health services

12/02/20

It’s become nearly cliché to describe the United States as polarized, and recent public debate about the roles of law enforcement agencies and mental health care is an unfortunate example.

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Commentary: Here’s how we can improve encounters between police and civilians in San Diego

12/02/20

It’s time we change the way we look at mental health care in the United States and establish justice for our fellow community members.

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Commentary: Instead of focusing on police reform, invest in community organizations, create better alternatives

12/02/20

For many years, people have been focused on police reform as a way of trying to reduce the harm that police officers cause BIPOC rather than trying to eradicate it completely. The best way we can eradicate it is to invest in grassroots community organizing that is creating these alternatives to police.

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Supervisor Fletcher, Mayor Faulconer urge County Board to Allocate $5.4 million for Behavioral Health and Care Coordination Services at Converted Hotel Housing Projects

08/24/20

Working to end the cycle of homelessness for San Diegans during the COVID-19 pandemic, today County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer, along with Chair of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH), Councilmember Chris Ward, and San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff Jeff Davis unveiled a strategy to provide intensive behavioral health and care coordination services on-site to support up to 400 new units at upcoming rapidly-converted hotel housing projects.

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Supervisor Gaspar’s “Just Say No” Approach to Safe, Regulated and Legal Cannabis Operations Harms County’s Future

08/05/20

Today, the Board declined to move forward on Supervisor Nathan Fletcher’s common-sense approach to cannabis policy that would have allowed for safe, regulated, and legal cannabis - including allowing multiple zoning uses and a permitting program that puts social equity first. After today’s vote, Supervisor Fletcher released the following statement:

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Disappointing Decision to allow Sheriff to Proceeds with Privatization Efforts at County Detention Facilities

08/04/20

It is very disappointing we haven’t learned from the failures of other jurisdictions that have outsourced healthcare for incarcerated individuals to private, for-profit entities. My approach to pause outsourcing while exploring a different approach that holds great promise for better health outcomes for the incarcerated and better value to the taxpayers was soundly rejected.

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Privatizing Jail Medical Service is Bad for Care, Employees and Incarcerated Individuals

08/03/20

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher together with mental health experts, county workers and restorative justice advocates today announced a proposal to examine having the County’s Health and Human Services Agency administer medical and behavioral health services in jails; and prevent the San Diego County Sheriff from privatizing services.

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Dueling paths for inmate healthcare proposed by sheriff, county supervisor

07/31/20

Sheriff Bill Gore wants to explore outsourcing the jail medical and mental health services that are not already privatized. Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is looking in another direction: switching responsibility for inmate care to the county Health and Human Services Agency.

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Commentary: San Diego County’s inmate health care has challenges. Why not have another county agency oversee it?

07/31/20

Inmates in our county’s detention facilities receive inadequate medical care because of a disjointed care system architected by Gore that includes both private contractors and public county workers. The failures of this system have been well-documented, and we all agree on the need for change.

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Supervisor Fletcher pushes back against outsourcing at Jails

07/06/20

“Addressing the poor quality of behavioral health and medical treatment in our jails will not get better by turning it over to private contractors,” said Fletcher, who has endorsed the idea of moving responsibility for inmate health over to the Health and Human Services office.

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San Diego city and county partner on $25M behavioral health impact fund for service providers

04/08/20

San Diego County supervisors gave final approval Tuesday to an agreement reached with the City of San Diego to establish a $25 million behavioral health impact fund, which will pay for capital projects for mental health and substance abuse service providers

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How to Manage Your Mental Health and Cope During COVID-19

03/31/20

It’s important during times like these to monitor your own physical and mental health, as well as safely stay connected to your community. Know the signs of stress and when and how to seek help for yourself, as well as loved ones.

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Board Supports Supervisor Fletcher’s Policy for Syringe Services Program

03/10/20

Today the Board of Supervisors heard the overwhelming medical, scientific, and community support for syringe services and the Board voted to move forward with creating a syringe services program to be brought back within four months for adoption.

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San Diego County Board of Supervisors votes to move forward with syringe service program

03/10/20

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 today to move forward with developing a syringe service program, as part of the county's harm-reduction strategies for public health.

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Supervisor Nathan Fletcher Presents Policy for Syringe Services Programs at County

03/06/20

“The evidence is clear, Syringe Services Programs are a medically supported best practice that protects public health, saves lives, and puts people with substance use disorders on a path to recovery,” said Supervisor Fletcher.

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Supervisors Fletcher & Cox Announce County Adds Substance Abuse Treatment to Psychiatric Hospital

02/26/20

“We are taking bold action and changing how we operate to ensure better outcomes for the patients who visit our psychiatric hospital. By taking the unprecedented step of co-locating mental health and substance abuse treatment we are better equipped to provide vital services to a hard to reach group of people, many of whom are experiencing chronic homelessness.”

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County Announces High-Intensity Drug Rehab Program for Frequent Mental Health Patients

02/26/20

At a news conference Wednesday, county supervisors Greg Cox and Nathan Fletcher announced what they’re calling the “Accelerated Connections to Treatment” program, saying that it is intended to break the cycle of readmission for a relatively small group of residents who often have co-ocurring mental health needs and substance abuse disorders.

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Supervisor Fletcher Supports Co-locating Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services; Board Vote is Supportive

02/25/20

The Board’s vote on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) facilities today ensures better attention to community concerns about safety surrounding MAT facilities are addressed, accountability is upheld and enforcement can be carried out.

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UT: County approves Third Avenue mental health hub agreement, but Scripps bows out

01/28/20

Jacob commended her colleague, Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, for pushing to have the Third Avenue property used for mental health rather than residential redevelopment and for sinking a large amount of political capital into pushing for changes that go deeper than merely building a few additional buildings with enough beds to replace those that will be lost in coming years.

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County to Enter Historic Partnership UCSD Health on Regional Behavioral Health Hub

01/28/20

"I am thrilled to announce we reached a historic agreement with UC San Diego Health on our journey to building a better way for delivering behavioral health services," said Supervisor Fletcher.

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County Wants Your Input on Mental Health, Substance Use Issues

01/17/20

This month, San Diego County HHSA is hosting forums around the County to gather public input on how we can improve our services surrounding mental health and substance abuse.

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Mental Health Care Finally Got County’s Attention in 2019

01/06/20

From the biggest rethink of mental health care in decades to caring for the smallest baby in the world, 2019 was a particularly eventful year in San Diego County health care.

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Fletcher Succeeds in Increasing County Spending on Behavioral Health

01/05/20

KPBS News' Mark Sauer and the Union-Tribune's Charles Clark discuss some of Sup. Fletcher's landmark accomplishments of 2019, including a focus on patient-centered care in our Behavioral Health System.

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San Diego County Supervisor Fletcher eyes large behavioral health initiatives in 2020

12/26/19

"Nathan Fletcher is focusing on behavioral health, transit, and environmental protections after his freshman year."

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Editorial: Needle exchange program would bring San Diego County into 21st century

12/17/19

"If the county wants to keep improving both public health and its reputation, it should heed Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and start clean syringe exchange and condom distribution programs to limit the spread of diseases."

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Syringe exchange floated as possible way to fight STD increases in San Diego County

12/12/19

"Fletcher calls for his colleagues to discuss options in coming year"

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County Moves Forward With Plan for Behavioral Health Hubs

10/29/19

“It’s not just one new facility or another facility, it is a reimagining of the entire system,” said County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, who persuaded the county to proceed with a new multi-service hub in Hillcrest on a plot once eyed for condos.

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Board of Supervisors Votes to Partner with Health Systems on Central Region Behavioral Health Hub

10/29/19

The Board of Supervisors today voted to accept the feasibility report on the Central Behavioral Health Hub.

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Conservatorship is a tool, but we must continue with other efforts

10/29/19

Conservatorship is a tool, but we must continue with other efforts

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UC San Diego Health & Scripps Health Partner for Supervisor Fletcher's Regional Behavioral Health Hub

10/28/19

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher today announced the dilapidated County property at 4307 Third Avenue in Hillcrest has been deemed appropriate to build his vision for a Central Region Behavioral Health Hub and that UC San Diego Health and Scripps Health are working on a partnership agreement with the County of San Diego to jointly invest and provides services at the site.

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The County of San Diego is Evaluating Conservatorship

10/08/19

We must seriously scrutinize every viable option to help address the homeless epidemic in San Diego and throughout California.

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What San Diego County is doing to prevent suicide by first responders

09/17/19

More first responders lose their lives to suicide than in the line of duty. We’re doing something about it. Last week, our country remembered the first responders and innocent Americans who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America.

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Board Approves Free, Confidential Mental Health Services for First Responders

09/10/19

Excerpts from NBC 7 San Diego story: The County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve a program that would provide free and confidential mental health services to San Diego's first responders.

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County supervisors greenlight mental health program for first responders

09/10/19

Excerpts from San Diego Union-Tribune article: On Tuesday the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously backed a proposal creating a new behavioral health program that will provide confidential mental health services to all first responders in the county, even if they are retired.

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Board Approves Tri-City Deal

09/10/19

This action to bring back mental health services at Tri-City hospital, that have been offline for almost a year, is a step in the right direction. However, we have a long way to go in order to ensure we build an integrated, coordinated and effective regional behavioral health system in San Diego.

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Supervisor Fletcher Announces Program to Help First Responders with Mental Health

09/09/19

To combat the statistic that more first responders die from suicide than in the line of duty, Supervisor Nathan Fletcher announced a new policy proposal today for a confidential, stigma-free program to help first responders who are going through a mental health crisis.

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County, Tri-City Medical Center Reach Deal to Reopen Critical Psychiatric Unit

08/28/19

Excerpts from Times of San Diego article: County officials and Tri-City Medical Center reached an agreement in principal Tuesday to reopen a psychiatric unit closed since last year.

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Statement: County Increases Investment in Behavioral Health

06/25/19

Today the County of San Diego increased its commitment to behavioral health primarily in north county.

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Statement: Supervisor Fletcher’s Reaction to Board’s Tri-City Vote

06/25/19

I will never waiver in pushing for solutions that meets our regional behavioral health needs.

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Editorial: Tri-City needs to make clear its plans on psychiatric care

06/20/19

Excerpts from the San Diego Union-Tribune: ...the first-term Democrat said the focus should be on Tri-City’s obstinate refusal to recognize its obligations as a public hospital, which is “having huge impacts across the county already.”

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Statement: Supervisor Fletcher’s Reaction to Tri-City’s Response Letter

06/19/19

Tri-City’s erratic response is disappointing, but not surprising. It is consistent with their year-long approach of repeated denials, delays, distractions and disinformation but not a plan to bring back their services that are critically needed by the residents of San Diego County.

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Leaders threaten state audit if Tri-City doesn’t provide plan to re-open psychiatric units

06/10/19

Excerpts from San Diego Union-Tribune article: A letter sent by two local leaders that demands Tri-City Medical Center come up with a plan to re-open its shuttered psychiatric units or face a possible state audit encountered immediate pushback Monday.

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Statement: We’ve been waiting, how much longer do we have to wait?

06/10/19

For over a year, Supervisor Gaspar has been more interested in standing with Donald Trump than solving our regional mental health problems. It’s time to get the in-patient beds back online.

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Statement: Supervisors Support Funding for Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Treatment

06/04/19

Today the Board of Supervisors voted to support the behavioral health needs of children, adults and seniors in San Diego County.

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Statement: Supervisor Fletcher Responds to Grand Jury Report on Psychiatric Services’ Needs

05/22/19

Behavioral Health is my highest priority and today’s Grand Jury report accurately identifies the need for greater commitment to our regional behavioral health system.

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San Diego County Supervisors OK Creation of Behavioral Health Facility

03/27/19

Excerpts from Times of San Diego article: The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to move forward with a plan to turn a dilapidated facility in the Hillcrest neighborhood into a behavioral health center.

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Statement: Board Supports Behavioral Health Hub at Hillcrest Site and Expands Scope

03/27/19

Today the board prioritized our public land and public resources for the greatest public good. The unanimous decision to use the Hillcrest site as a behavioral health hub — and the expansion of our initial proposal to find other locations throughout San Diego County will ensure we create a world class regional system of integrated behavioral healthcare

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Nathan Fletcher: Fletcher calls for about-face on plans for Hillcrest property

03/25/19

Excerpts from San Diego Union-Tribune article: On Wednesday, County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher will ask his colleagues to kill current plans to build condominiums on an out-of-the-way piece of government property in Hillcrest and instead build a new structure that could house much-needed behavioral health services.

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Supervisor Fletcher Pitches Plans for Regional Hub for Behavioral Health

03/25/19

Councilmember Chris Ward and UC San Diego Health Stand in Support of the Proposed Project Board of Supervisors to Consider Proposal Wednesday for Vacant, Dilapidated Property

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Statement: Supervisor Fletcher’s response to Mayor Faulconer Challenging County on Mental Health

01/15/19

The County is committed to aggressively addressing the mental health crisis in our region. I am encouraged the Mayor shares that same commitment. We are going to need the City to be partners as we come together as a region to make continued progress.

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Our Progress   

Reached Agreement for $25M Behavioral Health Impact Fund - April 7, 2020

Passed Board Letter for County to Adopt Syringe Services - March 10, 2020

Reached Agreement for Behavioral Health Hub for Youth & Children - March 10, 2020

Passed Board Letter for new conservatorship tool - Oct. 29, 2019

Passed Board Letter to negotiate agreements on Regional Behavioral Health Hub - Oct. 29, 2019

Passed Board Letter for first responder behavioral health support program - Sept. 10, 2019

Passed Board Letter to establish a Regional Behavioral Health Hub - March 26, 2019  

 

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