Bill could consolidate health and human services programs across the state
Ukiah Daily Journal Staff |
Article Last Updated:09/03/2007 09:38:05 AM PDT |
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The Daily Journal A bill on the floor of the Senate passed Thursday would allow, with Gov. Schwarzenegger's approval, counties to consolidate health and human services programs in an effort to help more members of the community while also saving budgeted money. Assembly Bill 315, authored by Patty Berg, D-Eureka, would remove the sunset date that allows counties to streamline and consolidate services for county health and human services programs. Humboldt, Mendocino and Alameda Counties have been relying on the law to make their local programs more efficient. "My bill helps counties use their limited resources to provide better services for county residents," said Berg, D-Eureka. "In an era of budget cuts, the key to cost savings and better services is to consolidate and streamline programs." Assembly Bill 315 was created with the hope of helping counties save money in a time of potential budget crunching while encouraging innovation and reform. "It's about doing more without spending more," said Berg. For example, Humboldt County has been able to consolidate health and human services and deliver them through one county department instead of several. By placing all the various departments into the Department of Health and Human Services, the county has been able to better coordinate services, create community resource centers, offer more services to the working poor and access more federal funds. With a vote from the County Board of Supervisors, all counties involved can decide what health and human services programs to consolidate and streamline. The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration. |
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