Title
Body
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Todd Metcalf, Behavioral Health Services Administrator
DATE: October 22, 2019
SUBJECT: (a) Approve Long Distance Travel for Kendra Boyce and Michael Mos to Attend Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training in Las Vegas, NV on October 28 through October 30, 2019; and (b) Approve Long Distance Travel for Carrie Manning to Attend Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training in Las Vegas, NV on November 17 through November 21, 2019.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Lake County Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS) mental health and substance use disorder staff has built an impeccable relationship with the community and organizations throughout the County in raising awareness around the importance of prevention around these behavioral health issues. Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA) is an evidence-based training program geared toward students in grades 10-12. Recognizing that this age demographic prefers to share issues and problems with peers, the TMHFA course teaches high school students how to provide mental health first aid to their friends. Students are taught to seek the help of a trusted adult(s) who can intervene and assist as soon as possible.
Students learn to recognize signs of developing a mental health and/or substance use disorder; knowing how to deal with crisis, particularly suicide, and engage a responsible and trusted adult to intervene as necessary. Middletown, Kelseyville and Clearlake High Schools have committed to participating in this project. Upper and Lower Lake High Schools are interested but have yet to commit to any training at the writing of this memorandum.
LCBHS applied in April, 2019 to become a pilot county for the TMHFA program. Lake County was selected among 34 other sites throughout the nation (and one of four in the State of California) to receive “train the trainer” training for TMHFA. The National Council for Behavioral Health and Born this Way Foundation are piloting the course in more than 75 high schools across the nation. Once implemented locally, the training will be supported and evaluated by John Hopkins University, and offered to local high schools.
TMHFA is an in-person training designed for high school students to learn about mental illness and substance use disorders to help them identify and respond to friends and classmates who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem. This training will empower our high school students to assist when a mental health and or substance use issue, including suicidal thoughts, are present.
FISCAL IMPACT: __ None _x_ Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost: $15,000.00
Amount Budgeted: $15,000.00
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): MHSA funds to be utilized.
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable): None
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION: (a) Approve Long Distance Travel for Kendra Boyce and Michael Mos to Attend Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training in Las Vegas, NV on October 28 through October 30, 2019; and (b) Approve Long Distance Travel for Carrie Manning to Attend Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training in Las Vegas, NV on November 17 through November 21, 2019.