Hanford, California – The Kings County Board of Supervisors has approved the county’s responses to two significant Grand Jury Reports, one focusing on the urgent need for a mental health facility and the other concerning the Home Gardens Community Services District.
During a meeting on Tuesday morning, Administrative Analyst Alex Walker outlined the findings of the Grand Jury, emphasizing the necessity of a mental health clinic. The county received the Grand Jury’s recommendations in March and is required to respond by June 12.
The Grand Jury made five recommendations aimed at improving mental health care services in Kings County, highlighting the insufficiency of the current Behavioral Health mobile crisis unit. They urged the establishment of a dedicated facility to complement the mobile unit, as it cannot meet the county’s comprehensive mental health needs.
Walker acknowledged that the mobile crisis teams, which are set to launch in late 2024, can manage about 70% of mental health-related calls. However, he noted that the remaining 30% require a higher level of care that the unit cannot offer. Individuals needing more intensive assistance are often transferred to facilities that can accommodate them for up to 23 hours for further evaluation and care. Those requiring ongoing support are referred to psychiatric facilities.
In addition, Walker mentioned that Good Samaritan Hospital is pursuing a grant aimed at funding mental health care facilities and is planning to develop a comprehensive campus to address deeper mental health needs. Although this facility will not be county-operated, it is expected to offer a crisis stabilization unit, a psychiatric health facility, and a crisis residential treatment center.
“If the grant is approved, the scheduled construction will provide specialized care for adults, including county residents, in crisis situations, while relieving pressure on local emergency rooms,” Walker stated. He also assured that the county will continue to assess its mental health service capacity and explore future partnerships that could benefit Kings County residents.
Following the discussion on mental health services, Walker shifted focus to the Home Gardens Community Services District (HGCSD). The Grand Jury identified shortcomings in the district’s compliance with annual audit requirements, which have not been met since 2013, hindering its ability to secure grants and funding.
The county confirmed that HGCSD officials understand their obligation to submit the overdue audit reports and reached out in August 2024 for guidance. However, despite receiving several firm recommendations, the district has struggled to engage an auditing firm due to lack of response.
Walker proposed that the county could issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to bring the audits up to date. However, he indicated that the extensive work required would mean the audits would not be submitted by the upcoming June 1 deadline.
It was noted that the Department of Finance is available to assist HGCSD in completing its audits and has a specialized tracking system to help districts avoid compliance issues. Nevertheless, Walker emphasized that the county is not solely responsible for ensuring the district’s compliance with audit requirements.
This response from the Kings County Board of Supervisors reflects ongoing efforts to enhance mental health services and improve operational compliance across its special districts.
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