Receive presentation regarding progress of Pine Tree Gardens, North Valley Behavioral Health contract for operations at Pine Tree Gardens, and ongoing Board and Care work conducted by the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency. (No general fund impact) (Larsen/Evans)

Receive presentation regarding progress of Pine Tree Gardens, North Valley Behavioral Health contract for operations at Pine Tree Gardens, and ongoing Board and Care work conducted by the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency.

Thriving Residents

On January 26, 2021 the Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement between the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and North Valley Behavioral Health (NVBH). The agreement specifies that NVBH will provide the 24/7 operation of both Pine Tree Gardens homes, including the following daily activities: 24/7 staffing, food preparation, medication administration and support of residents’ activities of daily living. Further, NVBH as housing operator, will be responsible for ensuring both houses are appropriately stocked with food, activity supplies, housekeeping and office supplies, and hygiene supplies. 

These services aim to restore, maintain, or improve the personal independence and functioning of residents consistent with requirements for learning and development. Services are patterned upon evidence-based or best practice-based models of treatment incorporating principles of “recovery” from symptoms of mental illness and are provided in a less restrictive environment, allowing consumers to receive appropriate level of services.
 
This agreement was entered into after months of collaboration between the County, the Save Pine Tree Gardens Ad Hoc Committee, Yolo County Housing/New Hope, and North Valley Behavioral Health. At the time the Board of Supervisors approved the agreement they requested that all parties continue working together to determine ongoing needs of both houses and that HHHSA return to the Board with an update on staffing, capital improvements, and outcome measures. 

This collaboration to maintain and improve both Pine Tree Gardens properties began in earnest after Yolo County conducted a Board and Care study in 2019 as part of the 2017-2020 MHSA Innovation Plan. At the time of the study, Board and Care homes throughout California were closing, many were concerned about the financial stability of Pine Tree Gardens, and there have historically been a number of Yolo County clients residing in Board and Care facilities outside of Yolo due to the lack of available beds within Yolo County. Two of the main recommendations from this Board and Care Study were to support existing Board and Care home operations, which has been accomplished through the Pine Tree Gardens work to date and upcoming, and to capture data about the need for additional Board and Care beds to allow Yolo County residents needing this level of care to receive it within Yolo County, which is being accomplished through ongoing efforts of HHSA staff and CARE Consulting.

Save Pine Tree Gardens Board Ad Hoc Committee
North Valley Behavioral Health
Yolo County Housing Authority/New Hope
Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency