Sonoma Replaces County Agency That Was Caring For Mentally Ill Prisoners With For-Profit Firm
The Sheriff’s Office will pay California Forensic Medical Group $4.6 million for fiscal year 2017-18, the first year of a five-year agreement approved this week by the Board of Supervisors.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
For-Profit Hired For Sonoma County Jail Inmates’ Mental Health
Further expanding the outsourcing of health care services at the county jail, Sonoma County is hiring a for-profit company to replace the county agency that has been caring for mentally ill prisoners since 1983. California Forensic Medical Group, or CFMG, which has provided general medical services at the jail since 2000, will administer an array of psychiatric services, including mental health evaluations, group and individual psychotherapy, crisis management and psychotropic medication services. The move displaces about 13 county mental health workers, who will be transferred to vacant county mental health department positions, said Michael Kennedy, director of the local mental health division. (Espinoza, 5/25)
In other news from across the state —
The Press-Enterprise:
How One California County Closed All Its Medical Marijuana Dispensaries - 118 In 10 Years
For some California cities, officials say trying to shut down illegal pot dispensaries can seem like an endless game of Whack-a-Mole — close one down, and another pops up. But in Riverside, officials appear to have whacked every last mole. Deputy City Attorney Neil Okazaki told council members Tuesday, May 9, that city efforts have rid Riverside of all but one pot dispensary. The last facility shut May 12, days before another opened Tuesday, May 16. Then the new one agreed to close after city officials visited the next day. Okazaki said Wednesday, May 24, that officials believe there remain none in the city. (Robinson, 5/24)