Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
Project ID (if applicable): ARPA_BH
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval to extend two positions in support of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Behavioral Health program administration, including an increase in budget of $355,358.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Behavioral Health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been profound. Harris County residents have experienced an increase in stress, mental health crises, substance use-related deaths, suicides, and more. To begin to mitigate these impacts, the ARPA Behavioral Health focus area has invested in the following areas:
1. Behavioral health workforce programs: Enhance behavioral health educational tracks & develop a pipeline to increase the number of culturally- and linguistically-competent behavioral health providers
2. Counseling for youth & families: Expand behavioral healthcare services in socially vulnerable schools and/or neighborhoods for youth and their families
3. Substance use disorder: Support overdose prevention initiatives and expand access to treatment
The Behavioral Health Manager and Behavioral Health Coordinator positions manage programs with twelve Behavioral Health partners. An extension of these positions is needed to meet administration and reporting requirements for the duration of these programs.
Expected Impact: Maintain delivery of ARPA Behavioral Health programs to mitigate pandemic impacts on behavioral health for youth, families, and individuals affected by substance use; strengthen the behavioral health workfo...
Click here for full text