Mental Health Board Oversight

* The county Behavioral Health Department struggles continually to overcome the debilitating effects of multiple reorganizations. Chief Administrative Officer Harry Hufford works diligently to insulate the county from the worst effects of the Medicare billing scandal. The Board of Supervisors gets beaten up at almost every meeting by citizens, myself included, concerned about the unmet needs of the mentally ill and the problems in our mental health programs.

Under the circumstances, it is pretty easy to overlook the good things that go on in our county system. A wise man recently reminded me that in many other places the fate of the mentally ill is far worse.

We need to stop and appreciate what is right with things. If we do, we see that Ventura County time and again spends more than state law requires for mental health services. It may not be enough to meet the needs. In comparison to other, more favored programs, mental health programs may seem deprived. But this county and its representatives have consistently heeded the call for special attention for the mentally ill with compassion and consideration.

The Board of Supervisors has repeatedly acknowledged the needs for supported housing for the mentally ill and sought state, federal and private funds to rectify this problem. Perhaps most important, in every instance that I know of, when an individual has brought a specific human problem to the attention of the supervisors or the CAO’s office, that individual has been treated with respect, and an honest effort has been made to solve his or her problem.

There is one more thing that could be done to make it even better: Strengthen the ability of the mental health board to provide independent and objective oversight of the programs and services provided to the mentally ill. Today there are no funds designated for this purpose. The mental health board has requested $50,000 to accomplish this goal.

Many believe that this small investment would have returns many times over in increased potential funding for county programs from the state and federal governments, plus improved policy decisions, better understanding by the public of the complexities of the issues in mental health, greater public confidence in budget and program decisions, more responsive and competent services and more productive use of tax dollars.

NEAL ANDREWS

Chair,

Ventura County

Mental Health Board