Fullerton Police Department
Behavioral Health Clinician Pilot Program
BHC Program Background
On June 28, 2022, the Orange County Board of Supervisors authorized the allocation of County discretionary funds under Government Code section 26227 for District Discretionary Projects benefitting County residents.
Utilizing a $1,000,000 allocation of these County discretionary funds, Fullerton Police Department, in agreement with Orange County, has created a two-year pilot Behavioral Health Clinician (BHC) program which integrates two Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) into the Fullerton Police Department.
What the BHC Program Does
These Licensed Clinical Social Workers in the Behavioral Health Clinician Program can:
Provide services to individuals experiencing trauma and, when appropriate, provide viable alternatives to incarceration.
Offer counseling, crisis response, mediation, and community referrals.
Address mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders, develop treatment plans, and conduct follow-up evaluations to ensure effectiveness.
Provide mental health training and consultation to Fullerton police officers.
Challenges
Changes in classification requirements from the Orange County Health Care Agency resulted in delays for position creation and recruitment.
July 24, 2023, agreement between City of Fullerton and Orange County executed.
August 2023, City Council approved a Behavioral Health Clinician Series classification plan presented by the Human Resources department.
November 2024, the two Behavioral Health Clinicians began employment.
The Behavioral Health Clinicians successfully completed their training program and were deployed in the field on February 25, 2025.
BHC Services Provided to Community
43% of Mental Health Calls for Service responded to by the BHCs have resulted in a Mental Health Evaluation being conducted- ensuring more people are getting the immediate treatment they require in the event of a crisis. 12% of such calls have resulted in a hospital hold.
Funding Analysis
Allocation from Orange County: $1,000,000
FY23-24 expenses: $91,007
FY24-25 expenses: $259,151
FY25-26 YTD expenses (12/1/2025): $106,197
FY25-26 monthly cost $28,961.83/mo
Program Funding Balance Remaining (as of 12/1/2025): $543,645 Estimated balance at FY25-26 year-end: $303,768
Estimated FY26-27 total cost: $356,337 ($29,694.75/mo)
FY26-27 funding shortfall: $52,569
Program funds will be depleted by May 1, 2026
Estimated FY27-28 funding shortfall: $363,197
Any Questions?