HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter - BH Director to Judge R GlusmanDepartment of Behavioral Health Dorian Kittrell, MFT, Director
109 Parmac Road, Suite 1 T: 530.891.2850 buttecounty.net/behavioralhealth
Chico, California 95926 F: 530.895.6549
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July 27, 2016
The Honorable Robert A. Glusman, Presiding Judge
Butte County Superior Court
One Court Street
Oroville, CA 95965
RE: 2015-16 Butte County Grand Jury Final Report - Homelessness in Butte County
FINDINGS
F1: The private service providers in Butte County offer shelter and food to various segments of
the homeless population in a compassionate way, despite their insufficient funds.
Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. It should be noted that, in FY 2016-17, the
Behavioral Health Department has funded additional supportive programming based on community
stakeholder input and assessed community needs. The additional funding will support:
New positions dedicated to outreach and engagement
• The newly established Crisis Residential Program (10 -bed program within Butte
County)
• An increase of $20,000 in the Torres Shelter agreement
(A total of $108,000 in FY 2016-17)
• Financial support of the Continuum of Care Coordinator position
($20, 000 in FY 2016-17)
F2: Over half of the homeless population suffers from mental illness, substance/alcohol abuse or
both.
Response: The respondent agrees with the finding.
F3: The federal and state funding for our local governmental agencies allows almost no local
flexibility in how the money is spent even though it appears to be spent appropriately on
housing assistance and supportive services.
Response: The respondent agrees with the finding
F4: Every professional interviewed who is knowledgeable about the homeless agrees that
providing housing is the overriding need.
Response: The respondent agrees with the finding.
RECOMMENDATIONS
R4: The Chico Police Target Team should work with Behavioral Health to add a professional
social services person to the team when they are calling on the homeless.
The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in FY 2016-17. The
Department has included two new Behavioral Health Counselor positions in the FY 2016-17 budget.
These new positions will be dedicated in support of outreach/engagement specific duties. The
Department has been in discussion with the Chico Police Target Team, in order to collaborate in
these outreach efforts.
R5: All of the service providers and local governments should explore the possible funding of a
day center.
The recommendation has been implemented. The Jesus Center currently provides day center
services to the homeless and is planning to expand these services. The Department of Behavioral
Health also has a day center, the Iverson Center, which serves individuals living with mental illness.
Respectfully Submitted
Dorian Kittrell, MFT
Director
Butte County Behavioral Health
Cc: Board of Supervisors
CAO