Report 2012-122 Recommendation 19 Responses
Report 2012-122: Mental Health Services Act: The State's Oversight Has Provided Little Assurance of the Act's Effectiveness, and Some Counties Can Improve Measurement of Their Program Performance (Release Date: August 2013)
Recommendation #19 To: Health Care Services, Department of
To help ensure county compliance with stakeholder regulations, Health Care Services should provide technical assistance to counties on the MHSA local planning review process and ensure that its guidance to counties is clear and consistent with state regulations.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From August 2019
Implementation of the MHSA program reviews commenced January 2019. The review protocol includes a review of the county's community program planning process along with technical assistance provided by DHCS while at the site. A Performance Contract Review report details any findings, recommendations, and suggested improvements found during the review. The county has 60 days after receiving the Performance Contract Review report to submit a corrective action plan.
- Completion Date: January 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented
Through its periodic program reviews, Health Care Services provides counties with technical assistance on the MHSA local planning review process.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2018
DHCS developed a protocol (evaluation tool) and review program and performed pilot reviews beginning in February 2018. The review protocol includes a review of the county's community program planning process. After each county review, DHCS will prepare a report of findings. Any county with findings will need to develop a corrective action plan. DHCS will approve and monitor the corrective action plan. DHCS piloted the review protocol in four counties and will fully implement the review protocol in January 2019.
- Estimated Completion Date: January 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2015
DHCS is planning to include training and technical assistance on the local planning in the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) contract in FY 2015-16. Once that is complete, this recommendation will be fully implemented.
- Estimated Completion Date: December 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Not Fully Implemented
1-Year Agency Response
The contract containing funding for MHSA training and technical assistance was fully executed in June 2014. The contract continues to include training to Local Mental Health Boards on their role in reviewing MHSA expenditure plans and annual updates and implementing the MHSA. Additional work orders will be developed during FY 2014-15 for county training specific to the stakeholder process.
- Estimated Completion Date: FY 2014-15
- Response Date: August 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented
6-Month Agency Response
Funding for training to counties on the MHSA local planning review process is included in the MHSA training and technical assistance contract. A detailed work order for this deliverable is in development. The contract will also provide training to Local Mental Health Boards on their role in implementing the MHSA. While DHCS expected to fully execute the contract in October, the contract was delayed due to necessary revisions to the Scope of Work. DHCS expects the contract to be fully executed during February 2014.
- Estimated Completion Date: Winter 2014
- Response Date: February 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
60-Day Agency Response
DHCS oversees the MHSA training and technical assistance contract that provides a variety of training options and technical assistance to county mental health plans and service providers. As part of this contract, DHCS will continue to work with the contractor and the Accountability Commission to develop training for counties on the MHSA local planning review process. This contract also provides training to Local Mental Health Boards on their role in implementing the MHSA. DHCS expects to finalize the contract terms in September 2013 and that the contract will be fully executed in October 2013.
- Estimated Completion Date: October 2013
- Response Date: October 2013
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2012-122
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.