Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: June 25, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Agreement No. 2025-109 Between the County of Ventura on Behalf of its Behavioral Health Department and the City of Camarillo for Intensive Services Coordinator Services
BACKGROUND
On January 2019 the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office began partnering a Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) Department Community Services Coordinator with a Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) deputy assigned to the Helping Our Community Progress Efficiently initiative, also known as Project HOPE. The coordinator is part of the County’s Rapid Integrated Support and Engagement program (RISE). At the time the position was grant funded and covered 20 hours of the coordinator’s staff time each week at no cost to the City of Camarillo.
When the grant funding ended in late 2021, the City of Camarillo entered into Agreement No. CC 2022-13 with the County of Ventura to cover half (.50) of the full time equivalent of the position, which dedicates 40 hours per week to the City of Camarillo. The remainder of the position is covered by VCBH. This position was renewed for two additional years, with the most recent contract ending June 30, 2025.
Recognizing the significant benefits this partnership has provided to the Camarillo community, the City of Camarillo, Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Project HOPE, and VCBH see the value of continuing this collaborative relationship by entering into a new agreement to maintain the RISE position, recently reclassified as Intensive Services Coordinator, beyond the current contract term.
DISCUSSION
The Intensive Services Coordinator goal is to assist Camarillo’s homeless and mentally ill population with services offered through VCBH. Additionally, the position helps to lessen the calls for service to high-volume consumers. Together with the Project HOPE
Agreement No. 2025-109 County of Ventura Behavioral Health June 25, 2025
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deputy, the coordinator self-initiates contacts with persons of concern by visiting various areas throughout the City. Once contact is made, the coordinator helps in connecting clients with various resources, including housing, mental health services, substance abuse support, and more.
In FY 24/25, Project HOPE made 2,247 contacts with 189 homeless individuals. Most of these contacts were repeated, with the several individuals having over 30 contacts with Project HOPE. The services offered by Project HOPE included emergency shelter, food assistance, medical assistance, transportation, and relocation. Of those contacted by Project HOPE, 83% accepted some type of service. The VCBH Intensive Services Coordinator served 33 behavioral health clients in Camarillo and assisted the Crisis Intervention Team with over a dozen behavioral health related calls.
The VCBH Intensive Services Coordinator position has proven essential to the success of the Project Hope team and the City's broader initiatives supporting vulnerable populations. Based on these demonstrated results and the critical role this position plays in connecting vulnerable residents with needed services, staff recommends moving forward with a new contract to continue this vital partnership.
The City currently pays $71,916 under the most recent amendment, which covers half of the coordinator's salary and benefits. The proposed new agreement would increase this amount to a maximum not to exceed amount of $96,425 annually. This increase reflects several factors: a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for Fiscal Year 2025/26, plus additional costs for supplies (10%) and administrative overhead (15%). The City will continue to cover half of the total salary and benefits cost, with VCBH covering the remainder.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for Agreement No. 2025-109 for the Intensive Services Coordinator position are included in the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget for Community and Human Services Professional Services/Administrative Account No. 101-4340-446.32-01.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff determined, in accordance with Section 15061 (b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that these services are not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that these services may have a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 2025-109 with the County of Ventura, for a Ventura County Behavioral Health Department Intensives Services Coordinator position, for an amount not-to-exceed $96,425 for FY 25/26.
Agreement No. 2025-109 County of Ventura Behavioral Health June 25, 2025
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement No. 2025-109 – County of Ventura Behavioral Health REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None