Ventura County Behavioral Health Advances Ombuds Proposal

The public agency that provides mental health and substance use treatment services for Ventura County, California, is recommending the adoption of an Ombuds. At a general meeting of the VCBH Advisory Board this week, an ad hoc working group laid out the differences between an Organizational Ombuds and an Advocate Ombudsman (which is far more common in mental health agencies). The working group then endorsed an Organizational Ombuds "to assist any individual that interacts with Ventura County Behavioral Health with exploring and determining options to resolve conflicts, problematic issues, or concerns." Plans for the adoption and implementation of the Ombuds are still pending. (VCBH Advisory Board Agenda.)