Behavioral Health Board Plans for Annual Report, and Three-Year Integrated Plan

Recent Changes in the Brown Act Allow Greater Public Review

The Annual Report/Integrated Plan Standing Committee of the Behavioral Health Board had its first meeting on January 6th, and agreed to conduct a three-month research project to acquire and publish all useful materials on what they are calling “The Health of Health Services” in Sonoma County. Preparing for their review of the County’s Three-Year Integrated Plan for the County Department of Health Services, effective beginning July 1, 2026, the Board feels it needs to gain the greatest insight into the capability of the County to provide an effective safety net of services. Recent cutbacks and indications of diminished federal and state funds for traditional safety net programs threaten to unravel existing support for most county services for low income residents. The Board believes that, in order to advise the Board of Supervisors on a prospective three-year plan beginning on July 1, 2026, it needs to know what damage to the current system will be done before then.

An online library of all reports from: 1) listening sessions and stakeholder meeting conducted by the Department of Health Services; 2) needs assessments gathered; 3) requests for funding submitted to any of the Department’s notice of funding available; and 4) comments and testimony from providers and recipients on their perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system of care will be made available to the public and Committee members.