Daily Archives: September 2, 2021

County Mental Health Support Services Survey on COVID-19

Globally and nationally, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new challenges for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. In order to ascertain and respond to needs locally, the County of Santa Barbara, in partnership with community mental health and wellness partners and stakeholders, is seeking input to help determine mental health and substance use disorder services to meet the needs of our community.

The whole community is invited to respond to a short 10- to 15-minute survey during September. Data gathered through the survey will be used to identify and tailor services to meet the needs of community members. The survey is available electronically in English and Spanish, and on the County’s website at recoverysbc.org/covidrecovery/. The survey will also be conducted in the field by service providers for populations less likely to have access to an electronic survey.

In June, the County Board of Supervisors authorized the use of federal ARPA funding (American Rescue Plan Act) to expedite an assessment of mental health needs resulting from COVID 19, and to develop a plan to initiate identified priority services in conjunction with partners to promote recovery and resiliency in individuals and our overall community.

“Isolation, quarantine, remote learning, business impacts and physical distancing has impacted everyone; some more than others,” said Suzanne Grimmesey, MFT, PIO/Chief Quality Care and Strategy Officer for the County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness. “It is critical that necessary supports to address the unique impacts of COVID-19 are in place in a timely manner to help our community through recovery. We could not be more appreciative of the County Board of Supervisors for recognizing a need to address whole-community mental health and supporting this collaborative effort.”

The process is being led by the County Department of Behavioral Wellness and the Community Wellness Team, along with a broad stakeholder group that provided input on the assessment processes including key populations and targeted outreach strategies. The survey was developed with assistance from mental health experts from UCSB to assure efficacy. The survey includes questions from the 2019 Cottage Health Population Health Survey, and from previous children’s mental health surveys.

Data from this survey will be reviewed and compared against previous surveys. A separate survey designed to assess the impact of the pandemic on children ages 0-5 is under development, and will be sent out at a later date. Collaborative community partners include those listed below in alphabetical order.

For more information about the process and recovery plan, the public may contact Suzanne Grimmesey at suzkirk@sbcbwell.org.

Preserving Local Water Quality: Lake Los Carneros – A Living Ecosystem

Local water quality and the preservation of open space and natural areas are high priorities for the City of Goleta. Lake Los Carneros is a living ecosystem that requires freshwater inputs from winter rains to ensure a healthy aquatic environment for birds, fish, and plants.  When we experience drier winters, the lake level drops, and the water heats up faster during the summer months.  Warmer water encourages algae growth that can lead to less dissolved oxygen in the water when the algae die.  During some years, the oxygen levels drop below critical thresholds necessary for fish to survive.  This cycle of events occurred at Lake Los Carneros this year, which led to a fish die-off in July and noticeable odors in adjacent residential areas.  The dead fish, including bass and catfish, were removed and a temporary aeration system was deployed to increase dissolved oxygen levels in the lake.  No dead turtles or birds were observed during the temporary change in water quality.

Several longer-term solutions are being evaluated to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and fishing opportunities at Lake Los Carneros.  Potential options include permanent, solar-powered aerators to reduce fish die-offs.  Other future actions may include lakebed sediment removal to reduce high nutrient levels and selective harvesting of vegetation.  Some of these solutions will require significant funding, permitting, and community support to accomplish. 

There are several significant maintenance and enhancement needs throughout Goleta’s open space, including trail improvements, fuel management to reduce the risk of wildfires, and upland habitat restoration. The wooden footbridge, which is closed due to public safety concerns, also requires significant funding to remove and replace. With so many competing needs at Lake Los Carneros and throughout the City, management actions need to be prioritized to match limited anticipated funding levels as the City plans for the future.

Priorities for funding are typically recommended annually by City departments and then approved by the Goleta City Council.  For Lake Los Carneros, a comprehensive management plan serves as the community’s guiding document to prioritize needed maintenance and improvements to critical infrastructure, habitats, and recreation amenities.

The City’s Parks and Open Space Division will be hosting a series of events during Spring 2022 to begin updating the Lake Los Carneros Management Plan.  The current plan is over 20 years old and was developed when the area was still managed by Santa Barbara County Parks.  The plan can be reviewed here.

Stay in the know on Lake Los Carneros by signing up for our Public Works updates here.

For more information about Lake Los Carneros, please contact George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager at (805) 961-7578 or gthomson@cityofgoleta.org.