LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 106.17 Policy Development, Review, Approval, and Distribution
 
  PROCEDURES
  1. New Policy Development
    1. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) shall initiate any new Policy and Procedure (P&P).
    2. SMEs shall draft a P&P written in the format outlined in the platform templates.
    3. SMEs shall present draft P&P to respective Policy Committee for review and approval.
    4. SMEs shall provide Executive Committee Sponsor with P&P to circulate to Deputies for review and approval.
    5. Once P&P is approved by Deputies, Executive Committee Sponsor designates a Policy Manager.
    6. SMEs finalize new P&P and submit completed Policy Form to the Policy Unit.
    7. Policy Unit shall vet P&P with County Counsel.
    8. Policy Unit shall submit P&P and Policy Form to Employee Relations (ER).
    9. Policy Unit publishes P&P in policy platform.
  2. Policy Revision
    1. Policy Manager shall initiate revisions to align with the scheduled sunset date review or earlier.
    2. Policy Manager shall present and circulate revisions to respective Policy Committee.
    3. Respective Policy Committee approves revisions for P&P.
    4. Policy Manager shall provide Executive Committee Sponsor with P&P to circulate to Deputies for review and approval.
    5. Policy Manager shall finalize revised P&P and submit completed Policy Form to the Policy Unit.
    6. Policy Unit shall vet any Material Changes to P&P with County Counsel.
    7. Policy Unit shall submit P&P and Policy Form to ER.
    8. Policy Unit publishes P&P in policy platform.
  3. Policy Distribution: 
    1. Policy Unit creates and posts quarterly bulletins on policy platform for any new, revised, temporarily suspended, and deleted P&P.
    2. Policy Unit shall report on new, revised, and upcoming P&P quarterly at the Compliance Program Steering Committee meeting and at other meetings, as needed.
  4. Any deletion, temporary suspension, or change in Policy Manager requires the completion of the Policy Status Change Form and shall be discussed at the respective Policy Committee meeting.
  5. Assigned Policy Managers are required to:
    1. Adhere to established procedures for development, review, and approval of P&P as outlined in sections A and B.
    2. Review and monitor best practices and current statutory and regulatory requirements in developing new or revising existing P&P.
    3. Determine the workforce members and contractors affected by the P&P.
    4. Determine if the policy creates a change in working conditions or job duties.
    5. Specify if the P&P is applicable to:
      1. Directly Operated
      2. Directly Operated and Contracted
    6. Review P&P at a minimum of three (3) years or prior to the sunset date.
  6. Policy Committees are required to:
    1. Meet quarterly at a minimum.
    2. Ensure P&P is aligned with best practices and current statutory and regulatory requirements.
  7. DMH ER is required to:
    1. Provide guidance to Policy Manager whether or not a new or revised P&P changes working conditions.
    2. Notify CEO within five (5) business days of receiving new or revised P&P with completed Policy Form.
    3. Obtain a response from CEO within approximately ten (10) business days of notice.
    4. When CEO determines the policy requires discussion with the unions, DMH ER will ensure the policy is on the agenda for the next quarterly meeting.
    5. Schedule and facilitate a quarterly policy meeting with the unions.
    6. Coordinate with Policy Unit and respective Policy Manager to address and resolve any needed changes or concerns.
  8. Policy Unit is required to:
    1. Assign policy number according to policy group and subject.
    2. Process, review, and finalize any approved P&P and publish in policy platform.
    3. Support Policy Managers with P&P revisions.
    4. Ensure all new and revised P&P are discussed and approved in respective Policy Committee.
    5. Collaborate with County Counsel and ER on new and revised P&P.
    6. Publish and circulate Policy Bulletins that reflect new, revised, temporarily suspended, and deleted P&P.