Mental Health Program Specialist - SB Promotional

San Mateo County Health – Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division (BHRS) – SB43 Program Specialist

San Mateo County Health’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division (BHRS) is excited to launch a new and innovative role supporting individuals newly eligible for services under Senate Bill (SB) 43. This position is part of a brand-new team created specifically to serve a historically underserved population, expanding access to care for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) and/or severe substance use disorder (SUD).

This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape how SB43 is implemented locally, from building systems and partnerships to developing policies, procedures and outcome measures that will define success for this pilot program and beyond.

The SB43 Program Specialist will work collaboratively with the Facilities Utilization Management, Collaborative Care teams and partners across San Mateo County Health, including Aging and Disability Services, San Mateo Medical Center and regional hospitals and licensed facilities. This position requires strong clinical judgement, systems thinking and the ability to build trust across disciplines and organizations.

There is currently one vacancy for this program. The position is based in San Mateo
, with travel throughout the county and greater Bay Area as needed.

Senate Bill (SB) 43 expands the definition of Grave Disability, one of the criteria used to place individuals on involuntary holds.

Under SB43:

• Severe substance use disorder is added as a qualifying condition.
• Inability to provide for personal safety or necessary medical care is included as a criterion.
• Individuals may be considered gravely disabled when a mental health disorder and/or severe substance use disorder prevents them from meeting basic survival needs, such as maintaining housing or adequate nutrition.

This legislation enables earlier intervention and expanded pathways to care for individuals who previously fell outside the system, requiring counties to build new processes, partnerships and clinical approaches to serve this population effectively and compassionately.

The SB43 Program Specialist may be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Conduct regular visits to in-county and out-of-county (OOC) facilities to review cases and assess appropriate Level of Care (LOC)
• Meet with facility staff and clients to support engagement, transitions and treatment planning
• Participate in treatment reviews and provide clinical recommendations, including individualized behavior plans
• Initiate and coordinate case conferences for high-utilizing clients with complex needs
• Serve as a clinical resource related to substance use disorder and severe mental illness

• Build and maintain strong relationships with hospitals, licensed facilities and contracted providers within and outside San Mateo County
• Act as primary liaison between BHRS, San Mateo Medical Center, Aging and Disability Services and partner hospitals
• Collaborate with SMMC, BHRS and AAS to facilitate and coordinate appropriate level of care and placement
• Participate regularly in multidisciplinary team meetings, hospital coordination meetings and SB43 meetings
• Facilitate planning groups to address SB43 implementation priorities and emerging system needs

• Contribute to the development, refinement and implementation of SB43 policies and procedures
• Identify service gaps, system challenges and operational shortfalls, and support solutions in collaboration with partners
• Assist with monitoring and consulting with in-county and OOC contract providers
• Train facilities on new SB43 placement criteria and compliance requirements
• Develop, update and maintain an electronic facility database to support data tracking and outcomes analysis

• Participating in required leadership meetings
• Providing coverage and support for other supervisors as needed
• Provide clinical supervision and training to interdisciplinary staff as needed
• Apply basic knowledge of Listen, Empathize, Agree, and Partner (LEAP)…