A bill by state Assemblymember Patty Berg (D-Eureka) that would allow more counties to streamline health services awaits Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature.
If passed into law, Assembly Bill 315 would eliminate sunset dates on the consolidation of health and human service programs. Consolidation allows counties to provide a single access point to a variety of services at a lower cost to taxpayers.
“In an era of budget cuts, the key to cost savings and better services is to consolidate and streamline programs,” Berg said.
County Director of Health and Human Services Phillip Crandall said his department was able to consolidate essential services beginning in 1999 with a pilot version of the bill. He said six former departments were able to combine administrative and financial duties, which allowed for more efficient delivery of services at a reduced cost.
Crandall said the streamlined structure has allowed the county to attract more federal dollars and provide better services. Crandall said the Humboldt County model is in the process of being adopted throughout the region, including Del Norte and Shasta counties.
“We’ve been able to demonstrate good services success and good fiscal success by adopting this model,” he said.
Berg’s office said it anticipates the governor’s approval soon. |