Behavioral Health COVID 19 Department of Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health COVID 19 Department of Behavioral Health Response San Bernardino County V. Kelley Director June 15, 2020 www. SBCounty. gov
Partnership with Department of Public Health • We are members of the Medical Health Operational Area Coordination (MHOAC) Programs and Office of Emergency Services system • Natural partner • 1/25 advised of first repatriates - part of that response • Plane rerouted in air to March Air Force base in Riverside • Communicated with Secretary Ghaly and Dr. Pheifer about the process regularly Page 2
Stay at Home Orders • Advised County Executive Officer (CEO) Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) was essential- using the Governors own order as well as our local Department of Public Health (DPH) order • Immediately began telecommuting for all staff that managers determined were appropriate to do so; including those with childcare issues or other caregiving responsibilities • CEO advisement was to get as many telecommuting staff as possible- we were able to have 85 -90% of staff (1300 direct and 1500 contract staff) telecommute • Worked with unions who supported this efforts Page 3
New Way of Business Page 4 • Deputies came up with patient flow plan for the clinics that remained open- which were all Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) outpatient County clinics and the entire DBH crisis system of care. • Example • Worked with OES to get Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for us and partners hustled • Continued telecommuting and began to review Medi-Cal billing, using a real time view of contractors and county staff • Held weekly Facebook (FB) live town halls and Directors Minute to advise on Medi-Cal billing
Data • Used the data we were mining to support telecommuting, essential staff- so none of our staff were forced to take time- repurposed newer staff who had no time. • For Children's programs- kids known to us- increase in billing Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) for family, collaterals due to caregivers being present. • Took opportunity of press inquiries into why we weren’t providing service to highlight SUD System of Care- dispelling myths of being “closed” • Stood up crisis hot lines and added text – using data to help support a request for continued telehealth in this capacity with Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Page 5
Re-Opening of Business as Usual • I meet via zoom weekly with all contract providers to give a report and answer their questions. There is an existing monthly meeting, this was in addition to that. • DBH will remain telecommuting with open clinics at partial staff and are dependent on PPE for full return of staff • Learning from data that some positions can be done more efficiently from home and some cannot- more based on the position in program NOT the classification • Face mask issues • Temperatures are taken at all buildings for staff to be able to enter. Mitigation for symptomatic patients. Page 6
Leadership • This has been key • Fear breeds paranoia- need constant , multi media communication- Directors Minute, Townhalls, face time- not Face. Time - Burrito time! • Give credit- site examples of partnerships, draw upon other Counties creativity • Rely on each other- especially now Page 7
Questions? Dr. Veronica Kelley, DSW, LCSW Director, Behavioral Health Phone: (909) 388 -0820 Email: vkelley@dbh. sbcounty. gov Page 8
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