Yolo County proposes innovations plan for electronic health record amid budget pressures
April 29, 2025 | Yolo County, California
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The Yolo County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 29, 2025, focused on critical updates regarding mental health services and funding allocations. A significant discussion centered on the proposed Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation Plan, which aims to enhance mental health services through the development of a new electronic health record system.
Interim Mental Health Director Tony Kildare presented the plan, emphasizing the urgency to secure $473,000 in funding that would otherwise revert if not approved by June 30. The proposed plan seeks to integrate with an existing innovation initiative led by the California Mental Health Services Authority, which aims to create a more efficient electronic health record system tailored for county mental health services.
Kildare highlighted the challenges Yolo County faces in meeting state requirements and managing billing processes under the new Medi-Cal payment reform. The current electronic health record system has proven inadequate, leading to delays in billing and strained relationships with service providers. The new system, known as SmartCare, promises improved interoperability and user-friendliness for clinicians, although concerns about potential bugs and implementation difficulties were raised.
The board was presented with two options: to approve the proposed innovation plan, which would secure the funding and potentially free up additional resources for direct services, or to reject it, risking the loss of the allocated funds. Kildare noted that if the plan is approved, it could lead to an estimated $1.2 million in additional funding over the next two years for community support services.
The board's decision on the innovation plan will be crucial for the future of mental health services in Yolo County, as it navigates a landscape of increasing demand and limited resources. The next steps involve a hearing with the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission scheduled for May 22, where the plan will be submitted for further approval.
Interim Mental Health Director Tony Kildare presented the plan, emphasizing the urgency to secure $473,000 in funding that would otherwise revert if not approved by June 30. The proposed plan seeks to integrate with an existing innovation initiative led by the California Mental Health Services Authority, which aims to create a more efficient electronic health record system tailored for county mental health services.
Kildare highlighted the challenges Yolo County faces in meeting state requirements and managing billing processes under the new Medi-Cal payment reform. The current electronic health record system has proven inadequate, leading to delays in billing and strained relationships with service providers. The new system, known as SmartCare, promises improved interoperability and user-friendliness for clinicians, although concerns about potential bugs and implementation difficulties were raised.
The board was presented with two options: to approve the proposed innovation plan, which would secure the funding and potentially free up additional resources for direct services, or to reject it, risking the loss of the allocated funds. Kildare noted that if the plan is approved, it could lead to an estimated $1.2 million in additional funding over the next two years for community support services.
The board's decision on the innovation plan will be crucial for the future of mental health services in Yolo County, as it navigates a landscape of increasing demand and limited resources. The next steps involve a hearing with the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission scheduled for May 22, where the plan will be submitted for further approval.
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