DATE: June 18, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $1,212,000 in State Legislative Directed Spending From the California Department of Health Care Services for the Hayward Evaluation and Response Team’s Program Operations.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate $1,212,000 in State funding from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to State Grants Special Revenue Fund 230 for the Hayward Evaluation and Response Teams (HEART) pilot program operations.
SUMMARY
In January 2023, staff worked with the City’s legislative partners to request funding from the Office of Aisha Wahab. In March 2024, DHCS distributed $1,212,000 in State Legislative directed spending to support continued operations and personnel of the Hayward Evaluation and Response Teams (HEART) pilot program.
Council approval is requested to authorize the City Manager to accept and appropriate $1,212,000 in funding from the California Department of Health Care Services to continue the important work of improving the City’s capacity to respond to people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The HEART program was originally developed from recommendations made by the Public Safety Policy Innovation Workshops that took place in Spring 2021 following deep engagement with the community about public safety and policing in Hayward. Updates on the Public Safety Policy Innovation Workshop Projects can be found here: Public Safety Project Implementation.
The HEART program is a cross-departmental and inter-agency program between the City Manager’s Office, Police and Fire Departments, and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services developed to improve access to medical, mental health, and other support services. Additional information of the HEART Program’s goals and referral procedures can be found on the City’s webpage: https://www.hayward-ca.gov/services/city-services/HEART-program.
On December 5, 2023, staff provided Council an update on the HEART program and how it has evolved in response to community needs since its inception in the Public Safety Policy Innovation Workshop. In its current iteration, the HEART Program consists of three distinct co-responder teams which include:
The Mobile Integrated Health Unit (MIHU) which includes Hayward Fire Department Community Paramedics to provide medical attention to those experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and/or substance use.
The Hayward Mobile Evaluation Team (HMET) which pairs Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained Hayward Police Officers with behavioral health clinicians from the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services to address active crises.
Case Management & Mental Health Linkages Team (LINK) which includes a Behavioral Health Coordinator, Lead Program Assistant, and Mobile Mental Health Clinicians that receive referrals from HMET and MIHU to provide on-going follow up and connect those in need with continuous care options available Countywide.
Staff worked with the City’s legislative partners to request funding from the Office of Aisha Wahab back in January 2023. Later in March 2024, DHCS distributed $1,212,000 in State Legislative directed spending to the City to support the continued operations of HEART and meet the City’s goals to provide the appropriate response to community members experiencing mental illness, substance use and homelessness.
Staff recommend that Council adopt a resolution (Attachment II) to accept and appropriate $1,212,000 from the California DHCS to support continued operations and personnel of the Hayward Evaluation and Response Teams (HEART) pilot program for Fiscal Year 2026.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item supports the Strategic Priority of Enhance Community Safety and Quality of Life. Specifically, this item relates to Project Q1: Continue to implement and measure the HEART Pilot Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
In FY 2024 and FY 2025 combined, Staff has secured $1,292,049 in grant funds for the HEART program from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Behavioral Health Justice Intervention Services (BHJIS) and the Office of Justice Program’s Byrne Grant. The additional $1.2 million in State directed funds from the DHCS will be used to support HEART program continued operations and personnel costs in FY 2026 to provide critical bridge funding to offset the cost to the City’s General Fund while the pilot implements, and permanent fund development continues.
Staff will continue to work with the City’s legislative partners to identify additional grants to support the HEART program ongoing operations especially for when the HEART program’s current grants conclude.
PUBLIC CONTACT
The HEART Program was created as a recommendation following the City’s Public Safety Innovation Workshops in 2021. Updates on the Public Safety Police Innovation Projects can be found here: Public Safety Project Implementation.
NEXT STEPS
If the Council authorizes this action, staff will 1) accept and appropriate $1,212,000 to the State Grants Revenue Fund 230 and 2) continue developing and implementing the HEART program to provide essential mental health, medical, and other social services to the Hayward community.
Prepared by: Emily Hwang, Management Analyst
Recommended by: Carol Lee, Acting Community Services Manager Regina Youngblood, Assistant City Manager
Approved by:
__________________________________________
Dustin Claussen, Interim City Manager
www.hayward-ca.gov/haywardsafe
December 5, 2023 Council Work Session on Implementation Updates for the HEART Program: https://hayward.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6439964&GUID=16D19787-E2B4-4CE6-AED4-2C69D4646D48&Options=&Search=