CSAC Health and Human Services Technical Realignment Work Group
To Meet Friday
The CSAC Health and Human Services Technical Realignment Work
Group is being resurrected for a meeting on Friday, January 21,
to evaluate Governor Brown’s proposal to realign a series of
human services programs to counties.
The CSAC Budget Action Bulletin released on Monday
contains a detailed description of the health and human services
budget proposals, including the realignment proposal. Since
Monday, CSAC has obtained additional details on some of the
proposals. The following are updates to that document.
The Department of Health Care Services is expected to release the
application for the Low Income Health Program (LIHP) today.
Please check the Department’s website for
the application. In addition, the Department updated the site in
the last few weeks, including the Frequently Asked Questions
section. Counties are encouraged to check the site regularly for
new information.
Blue Shield of California Foundation Awards Additional County
Coverage Initiative Grants
The Blue Shield of California Foundation has awarded an
additional $1.7 million in grant funding to 10 counties to assist
with expanding health care coverage to low-income residents.
Due to the pressing issues affecting health and human services
programs, the CSAC Health and Human Services Policy Committee
will meet monthly in 2011. The Committee anticipates grappling
with federal health care reform, the implementation of the new
Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver, and state budget
proposals.
On November 17, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Wynne Carvill
ordered a temporary halt to the Governor’s veto of $256 million
in state funding for Stage 3 CalWORKs child care
services.
The CSAC Health and Human Services Policy Committee met on
November 17 with more than 20 supervisors and 60 county staff and
affiliates in attendance. A complete agenda packet is available
on the CSAC website.
Food Stamp Program Undergoes Name Change: CalFresh
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has
turned over a new leaf in California’s food stamp program by
rebranding the benefit “CalFresh.”
The new name was unveiled in Long Beach on October 23 by
California First Lady Maria Shriver, who emphasized the program’s
goal of helping Californians to put healthy food on their
tables.
Assembly Speaker Asks First 5 Commissions to Fund Child Care Cut
Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez has asked the state and local
First 5 Commissions to step into the void left by Governor
Schwarzenegger’s line-item veto of $256 million in Stage 3
CalWORKs child care funding.
The Governor’s veto effectively eliminates the program on
November 1. More than 81,000 children and 60,000 families will
lose their child care, which may result in the loss of jobs for
many of the parents, as well as the child care providers.
State Receives $14.5 Million Federal Grant to Improve Foster Care
Permanency
The state Department of Social Services (CDSS) has received
a $14.5 million five-year grant from the federal Administration
for Children and Families to improve outcomes and promote
permanency for certain foster youth in the state’s
system.
The state will use some of the grant funding for introducing
an integrated casework practice model within four counties –
Fresno, Humboldt, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara – serving as pilot
project participants.
