Who
- Hospitals and health systems in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties
- Sonoma County Health Services
What
For the past year, Sonoma County’s Director of Health Services, Tina Rivera, has been championing a new approach to mental health management in Sonoma County and beyond, similar to the Be Well initiative in Orange County. With strong support from hospitals, local nonprofits, and state-level initiatives like Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program funding, the project was making significant strides.
Two weeks ago, Rivera announced her departure from her county post. Thanks to her relentless coalition-building, solid hospital engagement, and three decentralized workgroups focused on specific elements, Sonoma’s behavioral health initiative is not just continuing but gaining momentum.
Takeaway/Next Steps
As a trusted convener in the hospital space, Hospital Council looks to play a strong supporting role in the growth of Sonoma County’s behavioral health work. Hospitals know that community efforts to shore up the “social safety net” result in better preventative care for their patients so that they can focus their energy on their community’s most urgent needs.
Contact
RVP Meghan Hardin at mhardin@hospitalcouncil.org