New Head Of Sonoma’s Behavioral Health Division Makes Bringing Psychiatric Hospital Beds Back To County A Top Priority
“People in psychiatric crisis don’t have the appropriate care available to them when they need it,” said Bill Carter, who is taking the reins at Sonoma County’s behavioral health division. Carter's 30 years of experience in mental health and social services was touted by Sonoma officials.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Taps Napa County Mental Health Director To Head Behavioral Health Services
Former Napa County mental health director Bill Carter has been tapped to run Sonoma County’s behavioral health division, a nearly $100 million agency that was rocked by labor strife and the April resignation of its former director. Carter, chosen following a competitive recruitment process, directed mental health programs in Napa County for the past four years. Prior to that, he was the agency’s compliance officer. (Espinoza, 12/4)
In other news from across the state —
San Francisco Chronicle:
No Date To Fix SF Transit Terminal As Clipper Kiosks Return To Temporary Site
A radioactive deck marker from an old ship that was uncovered near a new residential development at the old Hunters Point Shipyard didn’t pose a health hazard to residents — or anyone else, according to a new state inspection report. ... The discovery of the radioactive material heightened residents’ concerns about the quality of the Navy’s cleanup of the site. (Matier & Ross, 12/5)
ABC 23 Bakersfield:
Kern County Public Health Investigating Undetermined Illness At Bakersfield Assisted Living Facility
Kern County Public Health says they are investigating two separate reports of an undetermined illness at a Bakersfield assisted living facility that sickened 32 residents. Officials say they received a report from Brookdale Senior Living on Friday, November 30, that 32 residents at their facility on Calloway Drive - Brookdale Riverwalk- had become symptomatic with vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Six of those residents had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Public Health says a second report was received from someone unrelated to the facility regarding the same symptoms. (Dattage and Navarro, 12/4)
KPBS:
Caravan Migrants Settle Into New Shelter In Tijuana
The new shelter for migrants in the caravan is an abandoned concert hall called Barretal with a capacity for 7,500 people, in eastern Tijuana. ...Migrants say it’s better than the previous facility, an overcrowded municipal sports facility. It's spacious, with a parking lot where people can bring donated clothing and food, and closed areas that provide shelter from the rain. But there’s a downside: the facility is a 30-minute drive from the San Ysidro Port of Entry, where people who want to request asylum in the U.S. must put their names on a waitlist, and check in periodically to see if it’s their turn. (Guerrero, 12/4)
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
County Brings Variety Of Services To Oceanside In Live Well Center
Mental health and recovery services, veteran benefits, homeless outreach and workforce training are just some of the offerings available under a single roof in Oceanside as part of San Diego County’s effort to provide a holistic approach to healthy living. ...The county introduced the concept of providing one-stop shops for integrated care about 10 years ago and has opened Live Well Centers in Escondido, National City and Chula Vista. Another is planned for southeast San Diego, and a 100,000-square-foot building for family services is planned for inland Oceanside. (Warth, 12/4)