Behavioral Health approved for 35 new positions

EL CENTRO — After Imperial County Behavioral Health Services was told in early September that its three budget augmentations were not going to be recommended for approval, it looked at reducing its request.

Andrea Kuhlen, director of Behavioral Health Services, initially asked for 50 new positions, 212 increases in pay for under hires and for 81 bilingual pay.

After being told the augmentations were not recommended, Behavioral Health Services staff looked at the 50 positions and determined it could get by with 35.

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the augmentation requests after that adjustment.

“I know 35 positions is still a lot, but these positions will not only affect our department (but other departments),” Kuhlen said. “I think we are all aware Behavioral Health pays over time.”

The projected cost of the 35 new positions is $2.3 million, down from the $3.6 million request for 50 positions.

The funds to pay for the positions would come from other sources, not the general fund.

“Behavioral Health is willing to support the general fund,” she said.

Kuhlen said the department has visited 21 local schools, Imperial Valley Community College and the San Diego State University-Imperial Valley to help on mental health-related matters, including stress, anxiety and suicide prevention.

Of the 35 positions, 21 would be for children and the other 14 would be for triage.

“We need to have staff to fill in the gaps,” she said.

A $496,000 augmentation request would promote or reclassify 212 employees to a higher grade and another $42,000 was asked to fund 81 workers who use their bilingual skills to help the department.

Board Supervisor Ray Castillo supported the request, saying it does not impact the general fund and if a child has a mental-health issue, it could be nipped in the bud with wider access to care.

County CEO Tony Rouhotas Jr. said no one doubts what Behavioral Health Services brings to the table, but thought, because of the high amount, this needed to be brought to the supervisors.

“I don’t doubt everything they do in this is a good thing,” he said.

The concern for Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar is that the department has continued to grow with 55 positions being approved in 2018 and now another 35 are being requested.

“My worry is we are (gradually) increasing behavioral health,” he said.

Supervisor Mike Kelley said he supported the requests because he sees the need.

Supervisor Luis Plancarte said he agrees with Escobar on this matter going forward.

“It’s a matter of when the recession begins,” he said, “I see a lot of bilingual pay. How do we work those? Do we have a number?”