Approval of Expenditure of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Mental and Behavioral Health Services 

Approve the expenditure of ARPA funds in the amount of $406,590 to support mental and behavioral health programs for Rocklin residents, and:

A. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Rocklin Approving Expenditure of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for the Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center's Provision of Mental and Behavioral Health Support Services, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center; and

B. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Rocklin Approving Expenditure of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for the Rocklin Unified School District's Provision of Mental and Behavioral Health Support Services, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the Rocklin Unified School District. 

As of August 23, 2022, the City of Rocklin has received $7,039,025 in ARPA funding. At the September 21, 2021 Council Meeting, staff proposed an ARPA project list that included spending for community support, internal support, and revenue loss. At the February 22, 2022 City Council meeting, the City Council received an update on the feasibility of ARPA programs and provided further direction to staff to move forward with phase one and phase two of ARPA spending. At the May 10, 2022 City Council meeting, the City Council voted to reallocate $400,000 worth of funding that was originally planned for façade improvements to mental health support for Rocklin residents.

On June 1, 2022 staff released a Notice of Grant Availability for Mental Health Services for Rocklin residents. The application period closed July 1, 2022 and the City received six applications for a total of $1,161,590 in requests (Exhibit 1).

Table 1

Staff have compiled a list of proposed funding amounts that stay as close to the original budget of $400,000 as possible. The recommended funding amounts and revised programs are listed below.

Table 2

Proposals

All of the recommended programs below are eligible for ARPA funding under the Responding to the Public Health Emergency category of use, which includes the subcategories Behavioral Health Care and Preventing and Responding to Violence. 

Child Advocates of Placer County - $45,692

Staff recommends fully funding The Child Advocates of Placer County proposal in the amount of $45,692 to fund two programs for foster youth and families in Rocklin: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Family Mentors program. The CASA program will provide funding for court-appointed volunteers to provide support and advocacy for approximately 42 Rocklin youth in the next year. The Family Mentors program will offer life skills and parenting support to approximately 8 Rocklin families who have experienced reunification or are attempting reunification in the next year.

Lighthouse Counseling - $215,000

Staff recommends funding Lighthouse Counseling at $215,000. Lighthouse originally requested $400,000 to open and operate a Rocklin-based counseling center for three years. Staff recommends partially funding a two-year program with $125,000 of funding for the first year of operation and $90,000 of funding for the second year.  The Rocklin branch of Lighthouse Counseling will offer individual and group counseling sessions, therapeutic groups, educational classes, and case management services for clients. Services would be open to the public, not limited to Rocklin residents. Currently, 3-5 % of Lighthouse’s clients are Rocklin residents. They anticipate this number increasing with the inclusion of a Rocklin branch. Lighthouse is interested in exploring other sources of funding and does not plan to close the Rocklin location after the one-time ARPA funds are expended.

Placer Law Enforcement Chaplaincy - $30,000

Staff recommends funding the Placer Law Enforcement Chaplaincy (PLEC) at $30,000. PLEC originally requested $50,000 in funding to offset revenue loss and recruit new volunteers. PLEC offers support to victims of crime and law enforcement officers. They also provide on-site assistance at emergency scenes. Within the first 6 months of this year, they have assisted 32 Rocklin residents and 27 Rocklin law enforcement personnel at emergency scenes. Staff recommends partially funding this program at $30,000, which would assist with the recruitment and training of new volunteers to increase services to Rocklin.

Rocklin Unified School District - $115,898

Staff recommends fully funding the Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) proposal in the amount of $115,898 to fund three programs for RUSD students: a 0.3 FTE Mental Health Specialist Contract, an additional day of on-site mental health counseling, and a contract with Care Solace for case management services. All proposed programs will run for one school year, however if the programs are successful RUSD would look for alternate sources of funding for the programs after the expiration of one-time ARPA funds. The 0.3 FTE Mental Health Specialist contract would supplement an existing 0.7 Mental Health Specialist and would make the position a full-time employee contracted through the Placer County Office of Education. This position would offer mental health support to students at Victory High School and offer support to homeless and foster youth students navigating their mental health needs. On-site counseling sessions are currently offered in RUSD four days (42 hours) per week with a contract through Wellness together. ARPA funding would provide for an additional day of on-site services (32 hours) per week. On-site counselors offer individual and group counseling sessions, family support, and crisis intervention for no cost to the student or their families. Care Solace is company that provides mental health care coordination for students and families. They can assist students, families, and employees in removing barriers to mental health assistance by navigating the insurance process, scheduling counseling sessions, and connecting people to available resources.

Unity Care Group - $0

Given limitations on amount of available funding, staff does not recommend funding the Unity Care Group proposal. Unity Care Group’s original proposal requested $152,000 in funding for staffing and operating costs to expand mental health services for the 20-30 foster youth living in Rocklin transitional housing. This program would offer treatment for mental health disorders and behavioral conditions. Currently, only mental health crisis response is offered to these clients. Staff does not recommend funding this request.

Wellness Together - $0

Given limitations on amount of available funding, staff does not recommend funding the Wellness Together proposal. Wellness Together proposed a program that would offer approximately 3,700 counseling sessions free of cost to Rocklin residents. $350,000 in funding was proposed to offset the cost of the counseling sessions and $50,000 was proposed for marketing through the Latino Leadership Council. Wellness Together has an established Rocklin location that offers low cost counseling sessions to residents. Wellness Together is also receiving indirect funding through the Rocklin Unified School District’s proposal to increase in-school services. For those reasons, staff does not recommend funding this request .

Next Steps

Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed programs and funding amounts in Table 2 and approve the attached resolutions which authorize the City Manager to enter into agreements with Lighthouse Counseling and Rocklin Unified School District. If approved, staff will execute contracts with Child Advocates of Placer County, Lighthouse Counseling, Placer Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, and Rocklin Unified School District.

Alternatively, the City Council can:

1. Fully fund some or all proposals and reallocate ARPA funding to cover the additional expenses over the initial $400,000 allocated; or
2. Take no action and direct staff to return with additional information.

There is no direct fiscal impact to the City's General Fund. ARPA funds are received in and will be administered from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund (Fund 266). Sufficient funds are available in Fund 266 for the grant awards.