Behavioral Health Education Pathways of the North Coast: Landscape Scan
The United States is experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis. In rural Humboldt
and Del Norte Counties and the region’s sovereign Tribal nations, there is a critical shortage of
Mental and Behavioral Health workers. A 2023 study by Trailhead Strategies, in partnership
with the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board and the North Coast Health
Leadership Team, found that the North Coast region urgently needs an additional 2,420
professionals in twelve key mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment roles.
The shortage of behavioral health professionals contributes significantly to the difficulties
faced by individuals seeking mental health support. The strain is particularly felt due to the
unique combination of personal obstacles, such as limited access to services and stigma
surrounding mental health, and systemic challenges like limited infrastructure, funding
inequities, and capacity issues. These factors converge, creating a pressing need for targeted
solutions.
With funding from The California Endowment, CCRP conducted a needs assessment to
identify potential strategies to build out Behavioral and Mental Health Pathways on the North
Coast. The assessment included a review of relevant data and interviews with professionals
and educators involved in the development of these programs. Key findings from the
interviews, and a potential action plan was developed and are presented in the resulting
report.
Reports:
Community Health & Wellness Survey – Del Norte & Tribal Lands
The Community Health and Wellness Survey was conducted by the California Center for Rural Policy in 2013.
The purpose of the survey was to assess community health indicators in the Del Norte and Tribal lands
region.
The eight page written survey contained questions about wellness indicators pertaining to economics, education, healthcare, neighborhood built environment and community cohesion.
Reports:
Assessment of Research Needs in Rural California
Reports:
Strategic Work Plan for Education Needs, Health Information Technology, Recruitment and Retention for the Diversified Healthcare Industry Cluster
Strategic Work Plan for Education Needs, Health Information Technology, Recruitment and Retention for the Diversified Healthcare Industry Cluster
Reports:
Del Norte County Health Care Provider Recruiting & Retention Plan
CCRP was granted a contract with Del Norte County to develop a healthcare provider recruitment and retention plan. The plan includes demographics of Del Norte County with GIS maps, results of community input through surveys and meetings, a summary of best practices from other rural areas, as well as an assessment of the economic impact of the health care system on the County.
To create the plan, CCRP worked with Research Associates, Martin Love (CEO of the Humboldt-Del Norte IPA, Foundation for Medical Care) and Erick Eschker, PhD (Associate Professor and Chair, Dept of Economics, HSU and Director, Index of Economic Activity for Humboldt County).
Reports:
A Clearer View: Humboldt Steps Out of the Fog of Medical Variation
Following a 2011 California Health Care Foundation study of geographic medical variation in California, leaders in Humboldt County came together to examine the causes of variation in their region.
Read All Over the Map: Medical Procedure Rates in California Vary Widely
North Coast Health Information Network – Taking Humboldt’s Health Into the 21st Century
Humboldt County is on the forefront of the medical technology trend that is transpiring across the nation. Not only have larger practices in the county begun to adopt electronic medical records (EMRs), but Humboldt is one of the few counties in the state to have an operational health information exchange (HIE). Called the North Coast Health Information Network (NCHIN), this HIE is an electronic hub that helps transfer patient information between their medical providers. NCHIN is in its beginning stages and has already made steps towards achieving a more efficient medical system. This Policy Conversation will explore the privacy framework related to electronic record keeping, explain the context for EMRs and provide an update on how NCHIN is helping Humboldt County.
Reports:
It Takes a Village… to Prevent a Fall
All of rural California, and particularly the Redwood Coast Region (Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties), has an increasing population of older residents who are at risk of preventable falls. In fact, the Redwood Coast Region has recorded a higher percentage of falls among seniors than California as a whole. Fall prevention means that the home must be safe, but also that the community environment must be navigable so people are encouraged to venture outside and be active.
Reports:
What Are The Accommodations In A “Medical Home?”
There has been much debate nationally about what should constitute a “medical home,” the notion that a central person should be designated to provide preventive care and coordinate with others about a patient’s needs. The California Center for Rural Policy embraces the widest possible definition of medical home. This is particularly critical in rural areas such as the Redwood Coast Region of California, where people are on average older, poorer, have higher rates of chronic disease—and are more likely to be medically uninsured.
Reports:
The Complex Chronically Ill: Addressing the Needs of Frequent Patients and Inappropriate Emergency Room Use
Over the past few years, Redwood Coast hospital and health and human services workers have observed an influx of hospital patients, between the age of 45-60, with complex chronic illnesses who are frequently utilizing the emergency room (ER) and pose significant discharge challenges.
Reports: