Behavioral Health Director's Report -BHAB (PDF)

Page 1 of 2 Behavioral Health Director’s Report January 2026 Transitional Rent Beginning in January 2026, the new Transitional Rent benefit is available. California Managed Care Plans must provide up to six months of transitional rent to eligible members. During the first year, eligible individuals are those with significant behavioral health needs who also qualify for Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) funding. In Placer County, the Adult System of Care will serve as the provider of this benefit for both Kaiser and Partnership HealthPlan. Open County behavioral health clients are the first eligible group, and there is a requirement that Transitional Rent be used prior to BHSA funding. To streamline administration, the County elected to oversee the benefit directly to ensure its utilization is maximized. Due to delays in contracting and the development of necessary administrative structures, this benefit likely will not be fully operational until March or April. Staff are working diligently to bring the program online. While we do not anticipate being able to house significantly more individuals with this benefit, we hope it will extend our current resources, support longer stabilization for those housed, and improve overall outcomes. Behavioral Health Services Act We have hired a new BHSA Coordinator, Shannon McEuen. Shannon joins us from the State of California, bringing experience in enterprise compliance, Equal Employment Opportunity, and program funding. Their background in navigating complex regulatory environments and promoting equitable workplaces will be an asset to our team. A proud Sacramento State graduate, Shannon holds a degree in Health Sciences. This blend of health sciences

Page 2 of 2 education and high-level program management provides a perspective we are excited to integrate into our upcoming projects In addition, the BHSA planning process is nearly complete. We received community feedback requesting a new survey that better reflects the needs of culturally diverse and underserved populations within the county. The updated survey was released in early January and is now being integrated into the planning outcomes. Final decisions regarding funding changes and the new budget, reflecting the state’s new categories and priorities, will be finalized by March and brought to your board for review in April or May, prior to submission to the Board of Supervisors. SB 43 California Senate Bill 43 (SB 43), signed in 2023, expands the definition of “grave disability” under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act to include individuals who are unable to provide for their personal safety or necessary medical care due to a severe substance use disorder (SUD) or co-occurring mental health disorder. It also extends the ability to place an individual on a hold when they are incapable of seeking appropriate medical care. Placer County implemented this requirement on January 1, 2026. Throughout the fall, we developed and revised training for 5150-certified staff and local law enforcement to explain the expanded criteria for placing a 5150 hold. Some counties that opted to implement early on January 1, 2025 have not yet seen a significant increase in holds or conservatorships. Grave disability remains the most challenging type of hold to initiate and maintain, as determining the imminence of danger often involves professional disagreement and gray areas. While the definition has been broadened, reaching consensus on the necessity of a hold remains complex. Placer County is committed to working closely with partners to make appropriate use of this expanded authority in cases where individuals clearly need assistance but are unwilling to seek help voluntarily. However, there remain limits to our ability to compel treatment. Although early-implementing counties have not experienced drastic changes in 5150 or conservatorship utilization due to SB 43, every community is different. We expect to have a clearer understanding of the impact on Placer County after the first full year of implementation and will keep you informed