Authorize the Chair to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Davis in the amount of $105,000 in revenue for the period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 to contribute funding to the Behavioral Health Receiving Center. (No general fund impact) (Morales)

Authorize the Chair to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Davis in the amount of $105,000 in revenue for the period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 to contribute funding to the Behavioral Health Receiving Center.

In partnership with local law enforcement agencies of the major cities of Davis, West Sacramento and Woodland, the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) manages the Crisis Now initiative. This partnership currently supports embedded crisis co-responders within the local law enforcement agencies, and other elements of the crisis care continuum. While these teams provide services in the field, Yolo County is lacking a short-term facility to transport individuals in crisis to receive services and stabilization.

This MOU will help establish and ensure the operation of a Behavioral Health Receiving Center to act as a “no wrong door” mechanism for those in crisis to receive immediate behavioral health support and offer our de-facto crisis responders (i.e., law enforcement, emergency departments) a more appropriate alternative to address crisis. Crisis stabilization services are designed to prevent or ameliorate a behavioral health crisis and/or reduce acute symptoms of mental illness by providing continuous 24-hour observation and supervision for persons who do not require inpatient services. Short-term crisis residential stabilization services include a range of community-based resources that can meet the needs of an individual with an acute psychiatric crisis and provide a safe environment for care and recovery.
 
Staff recommends the approval of the MOU to reduce the use of jails and emergency departments for behavioral health crises, to establish an alternative destination for crisis transportation by adding short term bed and chair capacity, and to better serve and support the mental health and substance use treatment needs for county residents.  

County Counsel has approved as to form

Not required for a revenue agreement.

Vendor Performance
Not required for a revenue agreement.