BHS Special Edition March Newsletter

Up



What’s BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES


SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER



MARCH 2018




BHS


Director’s
Message









I’m excited that this special edition
of the “What’s Up” newsletter is
dedicated entirely to Behavioral
Health Services and we have the
opportunity to share the great The BHS O&E team were the recipients of the 2017 Steve Ambriz Team Excellence Award
things that we’ve been working
on this year. Much of our work Outreach and Engagement Team
has been on homelessness, crisis
services and the opioid crisis, three Builds Trust to Help the Homeless
topics that are top priorities at the You’ve likely seen our Be- of all ages to mental
national, state and county level.
havioral Health Services health and substance use
The number of homeless has Outreach & Engagement services, medical evalu-
become more visible within the last (BHS O&E) team throughout ation and treatment and
few years. While homelessness is
a complex problem, we’re fortunate Orange County who wear housing.
to have Mental Health Services ‘blue shirts’ as they reach “The O&E team has cre-
Act (MHSA) dollars to help expand out to the homeless popu- ated a strong and reli-
our programs and services. We’re lation to develop trusting able reputation within the
doing a lot of good things like that relationships, reduce barri- homeless community who are known
of our Outreach and Engagement ers to housing and facilitate linkage to as familiar and trustworthy people
. . . continued on page 2 resources and support services.
who can help,” said Jason Austin,
FEATURED ARTICLES The team provides these outreach BHS Homeless Coordinator Division

BH Crisis Services Are Expanding . . .2 services in multiple languages at any Manager, Navigation, Innovation and
Collaborative Court Programs Help public area like the Santa Ana Civic Training. “They have a strong passion
Our Clients Succeed .. . .. . .. . ..4 Center, cold weather armories and for helping others and are willing to do

Property in Orange Will Offer shelters, and at the Santa Ana River- whatever it takes to help the individu-
Co-Located BH Services . . . . . . . .6 bed to connect vulnerable participants als they serve.”

Peer-to-Peer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 . . . continued on page 8

Director’s Message
continued from page 1 Behavioral Health Crisis
team who don their ‘blue shirts’ as they reach
out to the homeless populations throughout
the county and link them to resources and Services Are Expanding

support services.
We’re also seeing more requests to respond

and assist individuals who are in psychi- In response to an increase in the
atric crisis. Within the last 10 years, we’ve number of requests to assist indi-
gradually increased these types of crisis

services with the addition of more staff to viduals who are in behavioral health
our Crisis Assessment Team and Psychiatric crises, Behavioral Health Services
Emergency and Response Team programs.
There’s more to come in 2018 with the addi- (BHS) is expanding crisis services
tion of more Crisis Stabilization Units and and programs in Orange County to

expanded In-Home Crisis services.
ensure that a person’s needs are
In partnership with the Alcohol and Drug
Advisory Board, we recently hosted a public met during a behavioral health crisis.
forum to address opioid addiction and
prevention to bring together people with

lived experience, family members and treat-
ment providers to discuss and learn about
a disease that crosses all socioeconomic

status. View the video here. Results from an
opioid survey and input received at the forum
will be used to identify gaps in services and
propose strategies to prevent addiction and
opioid overdose.

While so many of us are working diligently
Mia Andreani, PERT Clinical Social Worker I and Val Villarreal Jr., Tustin PD Master Officer talk
on these top three priorities, our regular work to a homeless individual. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC.
goes on behind the scenes. I encourage you
to read on to learn more about all the great CRISIS SERVICES EXPANSION INCLUDES:
things that our programs are doing to build a
Full-Time Positions Added to CAT/PERT:
healthy Orange County.
l Crisis Assessment Team (CAT) provides 24-hour mobile
Best, response services to any adult experiencing a behavioral

health crisis and conducts risk assessments, initiatives invol-

untary hospitalization when necessary and provides linkage,

Mary Hale, resources, and follow-up.
BHS Deputy Agency Director


2 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition

Behavioral Health Crisis




Services Are Expanding









l Psychiatric Emergency
Response Team (PERT)

members are behavioral health
clinicians who ride along with

assigned law enforcement offi-
cers to address behavioral health Renovation of the County-run CSU in Santa Ana is expected to
be completed at the end of July 2018.
related calls in the assigned
city. Learn how Milena (Mia)

Andreani assists the Tustin “ Input received from the community
Police Department in this Behind and our hospital partners also suggest a
the Badge article here. There are greater need for additional crisis services

currently 15 PERT teams who
partner with the Orange County given the size of our county. Expanding

Sheriff’s Department as well as the availability of our crisis response
police officers in the cities of programs is a vital part of our behavioral

Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa
Mesa, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, health service delivery system. ”

Garden Grove, Huntington
— Linda Molina, Division Manager, Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health
Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach,
Newport Beach, Orange, Santa rehabilitation services with a run CSU in Santa Ana is being

Ana, Tustin and Westminster. focus on maintaining stabiliza- renovated to increase the

To learn more about the teams, tion and preventing hospitaliza- average daily census from 16 to
click here. tion or out-of-home placement. 22 with expected completion at
Expected to begin providing the end of July 2018.
New Adult In-Home Crisis
services July 2018.
Stabilization program: l A CSU provides emergency

l Family stabilization teams Expansion of Crisis Stabilization psychiatric and crisis stabiliza-
will provide 24-hour intensive Units (CSU): tion services to adults including
in-home crisis stabilization l There are three sites currently crisis intervention, medication

services, short-term in-home under consideration for new evaluation, counseling/therapy,
therapy, case management and CSUs. In addition, the County- . . . continued on page 15




MARCH 2018 3

Collaborative Court Programs





Help Our Clients Succeed








With a strong determination to make a positive and option for a select group of

healthy change in her life, Sharyl Vanleer shared a offenders who have legal

moving poem she wrote about her perseverance charges related to substance
use issues. The five-phase,
to reach a significant milestone and graduate from 18-month program includes

the 18-month Drug Court program despite all the intensive supervision by a

challenges she faced. drug court Probation Officer,

individual and group coun-
On February 16, staff, friends and
family packed Commissioner Ronald “ My life is nowhere seling provided by Adult and

E. Klar’s North Justice courtroom perfect, but so much more Older Adult Behavioral Health
in Fullerton to congratulate Sharyl than I had. Drug Court (AOABH), and frequent court
along with two other graduates saved my life and for this I appearances to discuss prog-
am glad. ress. The program also recom-
Gazawan Mati and Dana Arlington mends that participants earn
for completing the Drug Court I never thought I could their GED (if needed) and obtain

program. stay sober and clean, I
don’t ever want to go back, or maintain employment.
“It is truly amazing to watch our partic-
if you know what I mean. ■ DUI Court: Voluntary, court-
ipants enter the program broken and
Some things I have gained supervised, comprehensive treat-
emerge as successful and produc-
from this program thus ment for non-violent offenders
tive citizens of society,” said Diane who have had two or more
far, can’t be purchased in
Holley, Administrative Manager II, a store, street or bar. DUI’s in the last 10 years. The

Collaborative Courts Services. ”
– Excerpt from Sharyl Vanleer’s three-phase program focuses
Orange County’s Collaborative 11-page poem on weekly group and individual
Courts (also known as problem- sessions with an assigned

solving courts) are a joint partnership tion services focused on recovery to HCA therapist, regular meet-
between HCA, Orange County Supe- offenders whose needs are better ings and testing with Probation,
rior Court, Probation Department, met through treatment intervention and regular court appearances

Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s rather than incarceration. to ensure sobriety. Participants
Department, District Attorney’s Collaborative Court programs also attend weekly self-help

Office and other community and include: meetings and must enroll in a
local law enforcement agencies that ■ Drug Court: A voluntary DMV approved multiple offender
work together to provide rehabilita- program that provides a viable program. Learn more here.


4 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition

Collaborative Court Programs ■ Mental Health Court (Assisted



Intervention, Whatever It
Help Our Clients Succeed Takes, Opportunity Court and

Recovery Court): These courts
serve individuals with severe

mental illness who have misde-
meanor or felony charges that
1
are related to their mental health
condition, and provide an alter-

nate approach to incarceration
by steering mentally ill offenders

from jail and prison into judicially
supervised treatment. Participa-

tion in the program is voluntary
and involves community-based
2
treatment, supervision and active
judicial monitoring with frequent

court appearances. Referrals to
a mental health court program

usually come from defense attor-
neys and judges.

HCA Mental Health Collaborative

Court staff have recently started
3
visiting clients while they are

incarcerated to provide assess-
ments and begin engagement.

This new process helps to
improve collaboration with Correc-

tional Health Services staff and
move clients through the evalua-

tion process more efficiently.
4
To learn more about Collaborative
1. Commissioner Ronald E. Klar congratulates Drug Court graduates during a ceremony held on
February 16 at the North Justice Center in Fullerton. Pictured (left to right) Gazawan Mati, Dana Courts, visit www.occourts.org/directory/
Arlington, Sharyl Vanleer and Commissioner Ronald E. Klar; 2. Sharyl Vanleer shares a moving
poem to a packed courtroom audience; 3. Pictured (left to right): Jan Amick, Drug Court Clinician, collaborative-courts/ or read the 2016
Diane Holley, Administrative Manager II, Nicole Purcell, Drug Court Clinician, Tracy Ernt, Service
Chief II DUI/Drug Court and Kelly Coburn, Drug Court Clinician; 4. Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Orange County Superior Court Collab-
Health staff (pictured left to right) Heather Rink-Rosas and Ashely Hutton collaborate with Public
Defender Christopher Strobel at the Whatever It Takes Court. orative Courts Annual Report here.

MARCH 2018 5

Property in Orange Will


Offer Co-Located



Behavioral Health Services





The Orange County Board of Supervisors recently

approved the purchase of 265 South Anita Dr., a

44,556 square foot building in the City of Orange to


provide a campus-like center where mental health

and drug treatment services will be offered near the

Santa Ana River. Read the press release here.


With a shortage of mental health
treatment beds, the purchase of the

building is part of the County’s plan
to provide a 24/7 facility that treats

people experiencing a psychiatric
emergency and where behavioral

health services are co-located.

Proposed programs include:

■ Triage: Receiving program for

walk-in/drop-offs that provides
screening and a determination if mental health evaluation, basic ■ Residential Treatment: Per-
onsite programs are appropriate; medical and medication services, sons living with a Serious

and referrals and transportation therapy, crisis intervention, edu- and Persistent Mental Illness
services. cation, nursing assessment, and (SPMI) and co-occurring SUD.

referral and linkage to appropri- Specialized services include
■ Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU):
ate level of care. assessment, individual and
Persons needing walk-in/drop-off
group counseling, monitoring
services for emergent behav- ■ Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

ioral health issues or emotional Intake/Referral: Persons need- psychiatric medications, sub-
stance abuse education and
disorders who are at risk of ing walk-in/drop-off services for

hospitalization and present on SUDs. Services include voluntary treatment, and family and sig-
nificant other involvement.
a voluntary or involuntary basis. screening, assessment and refer-

Services include psychiatric and ral to appropriate level of care. ■ Crisis Residential: Persons liv-


6 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition

“
While many


of the services

identified for inclusion

at the Anita Street

facility already exist

in the community, the

co-location of these

services at a single site


would result in improved

outcomes due to better

integrated services and

community relations.

This is a national best-

practices model and we

are very excited to have

the opportunity to bring

this project forward. ”


Mary Hale,
BHS Deputy Agency Director


ing with SPMI. Services include other drugs. Services include ment (office visits).
assessment, individual and counseling, withdrawal monitor- The building is housed on 2.10

group counseling, monitoring ing and support.
acres of land north of where
psychiatric medications, sub- ■ Federally Qualified Health Interstate-5 and the 57 freeways

stance abuse education and Center: Persons who have meet close to the County’s Theo
treatment and family and signifi- limited access to health care. Lacy (jail) facility and the University
cant other involvement. Provides primary health care of California, Irvine Medical Center.


■ Withdrawal Management: services (office visits). It features a large atrium courtyard,
Provides a safe and supportive ■ Open Access/Clinic: Provides two-story exterior walkway
community/residential environ- assessment for programs co- connecting two buildings and a

ment for people who can safely located at the Anita Dr. property 155-space parking lot.
withdrawal from alcohol and/or and short-term outpatient treat-



MARCH 2018 7

Outreach and Engagement Team Builds Trust to Help the Homeless part of this person’s journey,” said
continued from page 1
Armin Salamati, Mental Health

This past year, O&E has developed new services Specialist. After Armin helped a
participant get into a place, he/she
and opportunities to reach the most vulnerable shared: “I got my place, look this

homeless individuals who are experiencing is my bed, this is my kitchen, I can
cook in there. Can you believe
barriers to accessing needed services. that this was my dream? Now, I

have my dream and it’s real!”
HERE’S AN OVERVIEW: ■ Whole Person Care (WPC):

■ Motel Assistance: O&E team ■ Assessment Tool for O&E staff serve as an access
identifies homeless participants Housing Opportunities: point for individuals to enroll and
who are working toward their O&E staff complete a VI-SPDAT receive Whole Person Care
behavioral health goals and co- (Vulnerability Index - Service services that focus on the coor-
ordinates with contract providers Prioritization Decision Assistance dination of physical, behavioral

to place them in a motel for up to Tool), an assessment tool used to health, and social services in a
seven days to support and stabi- match chronically homeless to a patient-centered approach with
lize their housing prior to moving housing opportunity through the the goals of improved health and
into a more permanent option as Coordinated Entry System. Staff
part of their housing plan. Motel also help the individual obtain
housing is also used to support the documents they need to link

the individual while linking to to housing. To date, the team
behavioral health services and for has assessed 477 individuals in
before/after a medical procedure. which 136 have been matched to
permanent housing.
A participant, who’s also a new
mom, shares how the program The saying that ‘helping others
helped her and her new baby: helps me’ is evident as O&E team
members share their uplifting sto-
“Because of BHS O&E team ries of how helping people connect
members Tammy Waitman and with services is an inspiring experi-
Araceli Vidales, I was able to stay ence. View the full video here.

in a motel room to recover from
my emergency c-section and be “The best part of the day is when
close to the hospital to see my you hand participants the key,
daughter. They got me a week’s they open up the door to their
stay, which was perfect timing new place and just stand there in
because on my sixth day, my complete joy with tears coming
new apartment was ready and I down their faces, said Tammy
Waitman, Mental Health Special-
moved in. This was such a bless-
ing because if it hadn’t been for ist. “And, more often there’s tears
the motel stay, I would have been coming down my face as well.”
back on the streets.” “It’s rewarding when I feel that I’m



8 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition

well-being for Medi-Cal benefi- priate and available resources.
ciaries who are struggling with ■ The work currently being
homelessness. The O&E team conducted at the Santa Ana
conducts outreach, referral and Riverbed for the Santa Ana River
linkage services with hospital Trail Environmental Remedia-
emergency rooms and also tion Project is a great example
serve as a point of entry for of the collaboration among many
recuperative care facilities for service providers that includes
acute and post-acute medical the OC Sherriff’s Department,
care in a supportive transitional OC Public Works, OC Commu-
housing environment for eligible nity Resources and OC Animal
participants. To learn more, Care to address the multi-faceted
click here.
needs of the individuals resid-
■ Homeless Court: The ing there. Together, the O&E
purpose of homeless court is team has had access to link and
to engage homeless individu- transport individuals immedi-
als who have homeless-related ately to shelters, offer storage for
offenses like vandalism, loitering personal items, and access to
or theft, by offering opportunities temporary boarding of pets while
to change their circumstances to owners re-locate. Community
address and end their cycle of legal is- collaboration has since grown
sues. The O&E team works with court with other providers to offer
staff to identify homeless individuals creative and timely solutions for
with behavioral health issues who may complex cases.
benefit from O&E support and ser- The BHS Outreach & Engagement
vices.
team continues to strive toward
■ Outreach Connection in Jails: addressing the needs of homeless
The O&E team meets with incarcerat- individuals with a behavioral health
ed individuals with a behavioral health issue in creative and responsive
issue who are soon to be released ways. To learn more about the great
to create a housing plan and provide work being done by the O&E team,
resources. Staff work weekly at the visit their website here or call 800-
Men’s Jail in Santa Ana and Theo 364-2221.
Lacy facility in Orange.
To learn how the County of Orange
■ Collaborative Efforts: is building a system
O&E staff regularly of care to prevent and
collaborate with cities, address homeless-
homeless liaison offi- ness, visit the Office
cers, housing providers, of Care Coordina-
County operated and tion website at www.
contracted programs, ocgov.com/homeless-
and community based ness or read their
organizations to ensure monthly Care Coor-
that homeless individu- dination newsletters
als are linked to appro- here.


MARCH 2018 9

Prop. 47 Grant Funding Aims prisoners live again on the outside.

As the lead agency, HCA admin-
to Reduce Jail Recidivism isters the $6 million in grant funds

available to spend over a period of
The County of Orange was awarded The plan includes in-reach and 38 months in collaboration with the
$6 million through a Proposition 47 re-entry planning, and immediate OC Sheriff’s Department, Proba-

grant to reduce recidivism (person’s linkage for individuals who are be- tion Department, Public Defender’s
relapse into criminal behavior). ing released from the Intake and Office, District Attorney’s Office and
members of the local Prop. 47 Com-
To do this, Orange County’s Prop. 47 munity Advisory Committee.
Advisory Committee created a plan The grant awarded by the Board of
to close the gap between incarcera- State and Community Corrections
tion and behavioral health services (BSCC) was signed into contract
upon release. Read the OC Register October 2017. To learn more about
article here. the grant, visit the BSCC website

“This funding has provided us with here. If you’re interested in par-
a unique opportunity to collaborate ticipating in the Prop. 47 Advisory
with other County agencies and Committee or have questions about

community partners to reduce recidi- Release Center to behavioral health the grant, email Prop47community-
vism, particularly among individuals services, community based servic- [email protected].
with behavioral health issues,” said es, and resources such as trans-
Jenny Hudson, Division Manager, portation and housing. Read this
Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Huffington Post article here to learn
Health Services. how re-entry programs are helping



5 Things You Need to Know


About the Office of the Public Guardian




The Office of the Public A conservatorship is es- LPS referrals come from
Guardian (PG) provides tablished through a court designated acute psychiat-

1 for the needs of Orange 2 proceeding where a judge 3 ric facilities and treatment
professionals for persons in crisis
County’s most vulnerable population appoints a responsible person
undergoing mandated hospitaliza-
including individuals who are persis- called a conservator to care for
tion and treatment via an involun-
tently mentally ill, elderly or medi- another adult who cannot care for
tary psychiatric hold under Califor-
cally disabled and unable to provide themselves or their finances. PG nia Welfare and Institutions Codes
for their own basic personal needs is often involved in cases where (5250 or 5270). Services are also

through Lanterman-Petris Short these individuals have been victim- provided to the elderly and medi-
(LPS) Act (LPS) Conservatorship or ized through fiduciary and physical cally disabled population in need of
Probate Conservatorship. abuse or neglect. a surrogate decision maker through
Probate Conservatorships.


10 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition

NEW “IDEA GENERATION” WEBSITE


SET TO LAUNCH THIS MONTH




Community members will soon Behavioral Health Services’ Naviga- approaches and practices in mental
have an opportunity to submit their tion, Innovation and Training team health.

innovative project ideas online to created the new site to provide an The Innovation project team shares
address mental health needs in Or- interactive opportunity for the pub- that they “hope this will be an easy
ange County through a new “Idea lic to participate in the community way for the community to learn more

Generation” website set to launch planning process by submitting their about Innovation Projects, and are
this month. ideas about new and/or changed excited to see the idea submissions

























PG investigates a The Orange County Board and responses on the site.”
person’s total needs of Supervisors separated the After viewing a brief video that
4 including the need for 5 Office of the PG and Public identifies specific requirements
conservatorship, appropriate party Administrator (PA) in 2014. Over- for an Innovation project, visitors
to act as conservator and possible sight for the PA (who handles the may access the Idea Generation
alternatives to conservatorship administration of decedent’s estate form to submit their idea. The form
with no executor or will) was trans-
that allow for the safe provision ferred to the District Attorney’s office asks five questions to help folks
of basic needs such as food, while PG (handling LPS and Probate
shelter, clothing, medical and conservatorship investigation and describe their proposed project

psychiatric care. If no alternative case administration) was transferred in detail. After a submission, visi-
to conservatorship is found, PG to the Health Care Agency Behav- tors have the opportunity to view
may recommend a private or ioral Health Services division. Public all ideas and provide comments,
public conservator and when court Guardian deputies and staff are com- feedback or ask questions via the
appointed, provides conservatorship mitted to ensuring that individualized Community Forum section, as well
case administration services, personal treatment, supervision and as view a calendar of upcoming
fiduciary management and an financial oversight is provided so that meetings and special events.
conservatees achieve their highest
individualized treatment plan to level of self-determination, autonomy For more information about Inno-
provide for these needs. and independence. To learn more, vation Projects, please visit their
visit the PG webpage here. webpage here.


MARCH 2018 11

Behavioral Health Services Committees


Foster Communication and Collaboration




ing program managers, and staff
in certain classifications including
Marriage Family Therapists, Clinical

Social Workers and Psychologists.
The BHS Director’s Advisory Group

(DAG) was implemented in 2014 to
increase two-way communication
between employees and the BHS
Director’s Office to obtain a variety
of perspectives regarding issues
that impact BHS as well as explore
opportunities and challenges within
programs. This group is comprised
of a broader membership that

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) tiveness and efficiency of current includes all levels of BHS staff, su-
formed two committees to identify operational practices and service pervisory and non-supervisory.
and implement best practices as well delivery. Committee members To learn more about the committees
as create two-way communication include Mary Hale, BHS Deputy or if you’re a BHS employee inter-
between the BHS Deputy Agency Agency Director, representatives ested in joining, please email Cenia
Director’s Office and employees. from OCEA, Human Resources Robinson or reach out to one of the

“I am committed to finding new and and all BHS functional areas includ- committee members!
improved ways of providing our
services, supporting our staff, and Best Practices Committee: BHS Director’s Advisory
Group:
serving our customers,” said Mary Sylvia Cote
Hale, BHS Deputy Agency Director. Sheryl Curl Karin Celosse
Robin Ciafone
“These committees are a great oppor- Allyson Palas Victor Cota
Mary Hale
tunity to tap into the wealth of knowl- Diane Holley John Crump

edge and experience of our staff for Jeannie Huynh Nicole Gomez
bringing about meaningful change.” Ian Kemmer Diane Hannaford

The Best Practices Committee Caroline LeQuieu Charles Huffman
(BPC) was established in 2004 Michelle Menke Diane Martin
Diane McDowell
Rosie Morales
as a result of the Orange County Jenny Ramirez Adrian Morales
Employees Association (OCEA) Veronica Rodarte Nelda Owens
and County negotiations to review Dawn Smith Kelly Sabet
current client services practices and Kim Till Raquel Tellez
explore potential improvements. Marnel Tucker Gloria Trejo
The goal of the BPC is to reduce Bridgette Washington Vicki Wheeler
duplication and increase the effec- Kate Wolfe


12 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition

OC4Vets Program Goes Digital






Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Links information and referral line. free app on iTunes or Google Play
for Veterans OC4Vets program went “With more than 130,000 Veterans called “HealthLife”) or easily on a

digital in January with the simul- who call Orange County home, the computer. Since the portal’s launch
taneous launch of its Electronic portal provides our military-connect- June 2016, more than 1,030 email

Health Record (EHR) and “HCA ed clients and their families with a invitations have been sent to BHS
Portal” providing clients with a more user-friendly way to access their clients to join.

streamlined approach to accessing personal health information,” said The OC4Vets program provides
their personal health information Teresa Renteria, Service Chief II, behavioral health services to all

both instantly and securely. Behavioral Health Services Naviga- Veterans and their family members

Clients served by the program now tion, Innovation and Training. “Hav- regardless of discharge status, era

have 24/7 secure online and mobile ing access to the EHR where we or branch of service. During Fiscal
access through the “HCA Portal” to can view patient records electroni- Year 2016/17, the program served
view personal health information, cally and in real-time helps us to approximately 200 clients. To learn

visit summaries, request routine ap- effectively provide continuity of care more, visit OC4Vets online or view

pointments, exchange secure non- to our clients.” this video here.
urgent messages with their clinic Clients can access the “HCA
and providers and access helpful Portal” right in the palm of their

resources and tools like the OC hand via mobile device (using a



MARCH 2018 13

Peer-to-Peer




AQIS Staff Assistant



Embodies Enthusiasm and


Encouragement Every Day



“Be kind to people on the way up because you’ll meet

them again on your way down.” This famous Jimmy


Durante quote is how Roslyn Walton, Authority and

Quality Improvement Services (AQIS) Staff Assistant

has approached her career here at the Health Care

Agency (HCA) and previously as a Finance Director

in the private sector. No matter the task, she lives

by that golden rule in performing her role with the

Behavioral Health Services team.



Roslyn began her career with the sending surveys to the State; and Quality Assurance Activities (QAA)

County of Orange 14 years ago, providing customer service to all ensuring they are adequately

after leaving her high-pressure inbound callers. Urgent issues documented and coded for Agency

finance job to focus more time arise often in her department and reimbursement.
and energy raising her family. She Ros’ years of experience and The AQIS department recently un-

began her County career with the problem-solving skills have made derwent an office remodel and Ros

Custodian of Records Office before her an invaluable jack-of-all-trades played an invaluable role ensur-

joining the AQIS team. for the AQIS team. Her ongo- ing there was no disruption in the

Arriving to work early, Ros ensures ing role includes supporting the team’s ability to complete their work,

that day is prepared to run smoothly Pro-Care program, which helps coordinating many of the logistics

for her team. She is responsible manage patient pharmaceutical of the move. She is also very proud

for a variety of tasks, including benefits with pharmacies. She is to serve as the department’s safety
representative.
travel planning and arrangements; also in charge of collecting and
compiling, logging, sealing and reviewing timecards for County “My favorite part of my job are the




14 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition

people I work with,” said Ros. “I am States for a career opportunity. She to cook and often creates exciting
a team player and am always willing maintains her dual citizenship and international dishes to share with
to help anyone in any way. Helping loves visiting her homeland to see friends, family and her co-workers.

is part of my nature and that is what family and vacation with her hus- Thank you Roslyn for your commit-
my role is all about.” band. Her lovely Australian accent ment to excellence, integrity and

Born and raised in Queensland, has even been used for voiceovers service!

Australia, Ros came to the United in HCA training videos. Ros loves


WHAT IS AQIS?


Authority & Quality Improvement Services (AQIS),
formerly known as Quality Improvement and Program
Compliance, participates in a variety of quality
improvement and compliance activities across all divisions
of BHS. One of AQIS’s responsibilities is to assist with
the implementation of the BHS Quality Improvement plan

after its approval by the California Department of Mental
Health (DMH), as well as implementing Performance
Outcome Measures mandated by DMH and coordination
of the annual DMH Medi-Cal audit. To learn more about
AQIS, click here.



Behavioral HealthCrisis Services Are Expanding
continued from page 2
Mia Andreani, PERT Clinical Social Worker I and Val Villarreal Jr.,
Tustin PD Master Officer respond to a mental health call during their
consultation with family members expected to start shift. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC.
and outpatient providers, as well by April 2018.
as referral and linkage. l Crisis residential programs tation services for persons

Newly purchased property are voluntary, short-term and whom the County has statu-
on Anita Dr. in Orange is a designed to provide crisis tory obligations to deliver
proposed CSU site for both intervention, education and medical care, such as those

adults and children. Read more rehabilitation services to avoid who are arrested, incarcer-
on page 6. hospitalization. ated, juveniles, or persons

Expansion of Crisis Residential Crisis Medical Transportation detained by HCA Behavioral
Units: Services: Health Services.

l A new 6-bed home in Mission l An agreement with ambulance For crisis and support informa-
Viejo opened for services companies was restructured to tion, call OC Links at (855)
August 2017, while a 6-bed allow the response time to be 625-4657 or live chat online at
home in Anaheim has been under 45 minutes to provide www.ochealthinfo.com/oclinks.
purchased and the contract is prompt crisis medical transpor-




MARCH 2018 15

Search and Download Images from

HCA’s Stock Library




Need a photo or image to add to your PowerPoint ployees have rights to view and save any photos or
presentation or flyer? Look no further! Check out our images directly to your own computer. Watch this IT
searchable “Stock Images” shared folder that’s acces- Self Help video to learn how to map a drive or con-

sible to all OC Health Care Agency staff by mapping tact the HCA Service Desk for additional assistance.
the following network drive to your computer: \\ochca\ For tips and guidelines on how to select and use
hcashares\StockImages. photos and graphics in your materials, click here or
Because all images have already been purchased by contact the HCA Communications team at (714) 834-

or were taken by HCA Communications staff, all em- 2178 or [email protected].









MISSION


In partnership with the community, protect and
promote the health and safety of individuals and
families in Orange County through:
2018 • Assessment and planning
• Prevention and education
• Treatment and care

SOAR





Service & Outstanding Achievement Recognition
SOAR Beyond Expectation


Next Week! Connect with Us




Thursday, March 8, 2018



HCA’s annual Service and Outstanding Achievement

and Recognition (SOAR) and Years of Service
25+ Recognition Awards will be held at the Hall of

Administration in Santa Ana next week. For more

information, email the HCA Employee Recognition The What’s Up newsletter is created and
Program or click here. distributed monthly by HCA Communications.
Please call (714) 834-2178 with any
suggestions or comments.

16 Behavioral Health Services Special Edition