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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05252004 - D.5 C'ontra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa FROM: William B. Walker, MD, Health Services Director �... _ • ou DATE: . Ma y 28, 2004 +. SUBJECT: OPERATION OF THE GEORGE MILLER CENTERS r 4 . SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION(S),: ACCEPT the report from the Health Services Department indicating the fiscal issues in continued County operation of the George Miller Centers, and outlining the steps necessary for the County to both cease operations of the Centers and to facilitate the identification of alternative providers for the current clients. DIRECT the Health Services Department to begin implementing the steps outlined in the report to assist the Regional Centers to maintain service continuity for the current clients. AUTHORIZE the Health Services Department to engage in lease negotiations for he current George Miller Centers sites with the goal of assisting the Regional Centers in maintaining uality services in Contra Costa County for the developmentally disabled community. DIRECT the Health Services Department to report back to the Board for final action to be taken on the George Miller Centers during-budget hearings on June 14, 2004. FISCAL IMPACT: No immediate fiscal impact from this Board action. Projected costs of continued County operation of the George Miller Centers would be $1.6 million next year. BACKGROUND: . Based upon the CAO Net County Cost allocation to the Health Services Department for the 2004-05 fiscal year, a shortfall of$24.7 million is currently projected. On April 20, 2004 the Department presented to the Board a list of 88 programs slated for reduction or elimination. To insure a balanced budget, a number of the proposed reductions need to be implemented now to insure a full year savings. Provision of services to persons with developmental disabilities is the legal responsibility of state government through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Contra Costa County has operated the two.George Miller Centers for the Developmentally Disabled for more than 35 years, based largely on State DDS funding coming through the Regional Centers. In 1997, the County contributed less than $50,000 to the operation of the Centers. Over the last 13 years, however, the reimbursement rate from the Regional Centers for the major programs has increased by only three percent, not nearly enough to keep track with inflation and increased operating costs. Continued operation of the Miller Centers by Contra Costa would require a projected County subsidy of over$1.6 million. if 00 io ot$,,440 400060V 10 CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES NO XX SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER 00, SIGNATURES : ACTION OF B APR May 2% APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER 1 VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: XNme UNANIMOUS (ABSENT } I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS 1S A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND AYES: NOES: ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTED May, 25, 20044 Contact: JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR cc: Public Health Director,597 Center,#200,Martinez Health Services Director,20 Allen,Martinez t BY: ,DEPUTY yf �r 1 Y:* y' ti ♦ I ' fir. '.} /hr F- ti 4.• [• a 9t i,i' _a •'w '`.r r `:<•�f'N�p,+FYf - r ~ •' (:' ` f fk... ''ill J, WILLIAM B.WALKER,M.D. CONTRA COSTA HE ALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR WENDEL BRUNNER,M.D. ./� //''� PUBLic HEALTH PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR 597 Center Avenue,Suite 200 Martinez,California - CONTRA C 94553-4669 PH 925 313-6712 HEALTH SERVICES FAX 925 313-6721 wbrunner a@hsd.co.contra- I coSta,ca.uS To: Board of Supervisors Date: May 14, 2004 From: Wendel Brunner, MD Re: Services for Individuals with Director of Public Health Developmental Disabilities (DD) in Contra Costa County Contra Costa county has operated the two George Miller Centers to serve the developmental disabled since 1968. Since the early 1980s, legal responsibility for the developmentally disabled resides with the State Department of Developmental Services, and program services are funded throughout California through a network of 21 Regional centers, including the Regional Center of the East Bay which serves Contra costa and Alameda counties. The George Miller Centers are one of five major providers of DD services operating in Contra Costa county, including contra costa Association for Retarded citizens, the California Autism Foundation, Los Trampas, Inc., and Futures Explored. In addition to these major providers, there are a number of smaller agencies, which also ! provide DD services in the county. In fiscal 199+6/1997, the Miller centers were able to operate programs serving over 400 individuals and their families with Regional Center funding and a County subsidy of less than $50,000 per year. However, over the last 13 years, the Regional Centers have increased funding for the programs serving the majority of the clients by only three percent, much less than the rate of inflation and increase in other operating costs during that time. For fiscal year 2004/2005, continued operation of the Miller Centers would require a County subsidy of$1.6 million. Bill Sorrell, Director of the George Miller Centers, has aggressively pursued rate increases from the Regional Centers to at least partly offset expanding costs. In addition, Bill Sorrell and the Developmental Disabilities Council have been active in advocacy on a statewide level to secure adequate funding for developmental disability services in contra costa county and throughout California. Given the budget situation in Sacramento, however, funding increases for DD services are not anticipated. It appears that continued operation of the George Miller Centers by contra costa Health Services is not fiscally viable. We can anticipate that the financial difficulties with continued County operation of those programs would continue to grow. A number of specific tasks are necessary to begin disengaging the county from operation of developmental disability services. At the same time, we need to work with the DD community in Contra Costa to support as much as possible the maintenance of a network of providers to continue services to this population. We propose to undertake the following activities: 1. Notify the Regional Centers that the County does not intend to renew the contract for the next fiscal year. This satisfies the 60-day notification requirement for non-renewal. 2. Request the Developmental Disabilities Council to work with the Regional Centers and the Health Services Department to develop and implement a transition plan to maintain services for the existing clients currently at the George Miller centers. 3. Work with the Regional Center and the DD community to help the Regional centers contract with providers to continue services for Miller Center clients. • r' Contra Costa Community Substance Abuse Services Contra Costa Emergency Medical Services Contra Costa Environmental Health Contra Costa Health Plan ❑Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Programs 0 Contra Costa Mental Health 0 Contra Costa Public Health 0 Contra Costa Regional Medical Center 0 Contra Costa Health Cente .•',.'„fig' rY, •. is • '. y x A The physical facilities of the George Miller centers were designed for DD services, and their continued use by DD service providers could help strengthen the quality of Q services in contra Costa. Leasing these facilities to appropriate DD providers or providers, in co junction with their contracts with the Regional Centers, could strengthen the provider network in contra costa. We would notify the Regional Centers in our interest in leasing the George Miller Centers sites to appropriate agencies, if that would help maintain the provision of services for all DD clients in Contra Costa county. The Miller centers have an excellent reputation in the DD community for providing quality services and helping maintain the standards for DD services in California. We are proud of what the staff at the Miller Centers have accomplished, and the quality services they have provided over the years. We are committed to working with the Developmental Disabilities council and the Regional Centers to ensure that quality services are still available to individuals with developmental disabilities in Contra Costa. Page 2 ADDENDUM TO ITEM D.5 May 25, 2004 The Board of Supervisors considered the recommendations by Health Services Director regarding the operation of the George Miller Centers. Dr. William Walker, Health Services Director,presented the staff report. The Chair then invited those who wished to address the Board and the following persons presented testimony: Mary Diaz, 1911 California Avenue, San Pablo; Rollie Katz,Public Employees Union Local One, P.O. Box 222, Martinez-, Lynn Stevenson, George Miller Center, 3374 Whitehaven Drive, Walnut Creek; Maureen Toms, 3311 Savage Avenue, Pinole; Tania Stephens&Ricky, 1401 Balhan Drive, Concord; John Koppel, 3117 Bowling Green, Walnut Creek; Gini Koppel, 3117 Bowling Green Drive, Walnut Creek; Cheryl Taff, 1942 Maybelle Drive, Pleasant Hill; Max Taff, 1942 Maybelle Drive, Pleasant Hill; Charisse Wan,229 Obsidian Way, Hercules; Monica Shaw&Brianna, 2643 Appian Way#C, Pinole; Dale Dawson, 767 Woodwind Place, Walnut Creek; Christine Schwartz for Francine Schwartz, 2437 Piedmont Avenue, #305, Berkeley The Chair returned the matter to the Board for further discussion. Supervisor DeSaulnier requested the following changes be made to the recommendations and include the following amendments: ACCEPT the report from the Health Services Department indicating the fiscal issues in continued County operation of the George Miller Centers,and outlining the steps necessary for the County to both eerie change operations of the Centers and to facilitate the identification of alternative providers for the current clients. DIRECT the Health Services Department to report back to the Board for action to be taken on the George Miller Centers during budget hearings on June 14, 2004. Supervisor DeSaulnier then directed the County Administrator and staff to work with the State Lobbyist and join with Local One in lobbying the State for augmentation of other funds for the program. He asked that no changes to center happen until an oversight committee consisting of Health Services staff, families of George Miller Centers, Board Members and staff of District I & IV to discuss options to the existing recommendations and possible transition plans. Supervisor Gioia requested that the Health Services Department include in discussions any issues of concern regarding the capacity and capability of future partners. Supervisor DeSaulnier moved to accept the recommendations as amended. Supervisor Gioia second the motion and the Board took the following action: ACCEPTED the report from the Health Services Department indicating the fiscal issues in continued County operation of the George Miller Centers, and outlining the steps necessary for the County to both change operations of the Centers and facilitate the identification of alternative providers for the current clients; DIRECTED the Health Services Department to begin implementing the steps outlined in the report to assist the Regional Centers to maintain service continuity for the current clients and; AUTHORIZED the Health Services Department to engage in lease negotiations for the current George Miller Center sites with the goal of assisting the Regional Centers in maintaining quality services in Contra Costa County for the developmentally disabled community; Page 2 May 25, 2004 Item D-5 • DIRECTED the County Administrator's Office and staff to work with the State Lobbyist and join with Local One in lobbying the State for augmentation of.other finds for this program-, • DIRECTED the Health Services Department to organize an oversight committee consisting of Health Services staff, families of George Miller Centers, Board Members and staff of District I & IV to discuss options for the existing recommendations and possible transition plan and any issues of concern regarding the capacity and capability of futures partners; • DIRECTED the Health Services Department to report back to the Board of Supervisors for action to be taken on the George Miller Centers during budget hearings on June 14, 2004. s. L 2425 Bisso Lane, Suite 110 Concord, California 94520-4817 �: -;,, , ,�: : Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (925)646-5763 spA•CU rt't''�Gt' (925)646-5767(FAX) . dist4 bos.cccoun .us Mark DeSaulnier Supervisor, District IV Clayton,Clyde,Concord,Pacheco,Pleasant Hill Walnut Creek May 24,2004 Dear Miller Centers Families: Contra Costa County has operated the George Miller Centers for the Developmentally Disabled for over 35 years. For a variety of reasons,it has become increasingly,difficult for Contra Costa County to continue to directly operate the Miller Centers. As you know,the County is facing a major financial crisis this year,and the Health Services Department has been asked to address up to$24 million in program reductions. The Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal from.the Health Services Department to transition the operation of these Centers to one or more community-based providers of developmental disability programs in the county. Community-based agencies currently provide the majority of developmental disability services in Contra Costa. There is no intention to close the George Miller Centers. The Health Services Department is working with Regional Center of the East Bay,the Contra Costa Developmental Disabilities Council, families,and community providers to develop a transition plan and identify DD providers who can continue quality services for the current clients at the George Miller Centers sites. You can find out more about this effort,or get involved yourself,by contacting Diana Jorgensen,Executive Director of the DD Council,at 925—313-6034.The Health Services Department will also be notifying the Regional Centers of their intention to end the County contract for provision of services at the Miller Centers. This is a formal,legal requirement that clears the way for the Regional Centers to work with other agencies who may be interested and qualified to provide these services. There is no specific date identified when this transition may occur. I am committed to ensuring that services continue at the George Miller sites for all the current clients with minimal disruption during any transition. It will take a number of months,at least,to smoothly implement these changes;certainly any transition will be well beyond June 30,2004. We are directing the Health Services Department to return to the Board of Supervisors on June 14 to report on the status of the Miller Centers,at which point the Board will decide what further actions to take. The George Miller Centers have provided quality services for the developmentally disabled community for over 35 years. I am proud of the work of the Miller Centers,and the dedicated efforts of the Miller Centers employees. 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U4 -.f • oP-ml 0 al ,4 i �U � � c7 � c2cv � 04� VCid -4 U o "oV . -� 4=4 V w F-+ cd ccs 0 P..4 Cj o 0 to Q) vmm3 � a �,,, �,p ..� Q W i ,� s".Z. p -+-' ,� ,�..�► ,,, �+--� CU a ND cy 0 N Q� o o �--� + 0 � 0 ,�,,, to bjD cn 0 0 4 W cn 0 w vo o �, 4-4 cU 0) bO � Pa Z 0 V=4 U 0 0 ;3 VMN4 V=4 P= E-4 t 0 "a 0 4< Cd v 4 &n bO - 4 bra. L �„�c) cd Cd 0 Ctj Cd 0 4mj 0 a) IP5 ci P-04 WD- 0 c ccs C13 o 0 VCd 4-4 s~U4 $-4 p 4) S-4 C4cd / • • RICHMOND BRANCH NAACP � �. - © Post Off ice Box 2402 Richmond, California 94802 N"CP 3 38 11 th Street — Richmond, California 94 802 - Ph: 510-2 36-1166- Fax: 510-2 36-1183 J909 OFFICERS Doris Denson-Belcher May 25, 2004 President Matthew M.Barnes Dear Supervisors J. Gioia, G.B. Uilkema, M. Greenberg, M. De5aulnier, 1 sr Vice President t,asonda G.Robinsonand F.D. Glover: 2nd Vice President Willie J.Robinson I stand before you today as an advocate for a group of citizens that are not Treasurer only disenfi-anchised but in most cases unable to speak for themselves. The group that I'm advocating for are the developmentally challenged EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE cliental served at the George Miller Centers. M rytle Braxton Rev.Charles Belcher On Wednesday, May 19, 2004 I attended a community meeting, Dr. Sarah Grant Wendell Brunner Director of Public Health was also in attendance. Ray Muhammad Stephanie Russell During one of his responses to questions from community members, he Alfred Sims stated that it was time for the County to get out of the business of Rev.Charles Stringer providing these services. Many of your constituents were appalled to hear W.A.Williams that the County should not be providing services to our disabled community. To quote Mr. Cheney, the parent of a young woman that is developmentally challenged he stated, "I don't agree, I pay taxes in this County and I do expect to have services provided by this County." I must say that I agree, especially since Contra Costa County does not cover the entire cost of these services. We know that the State of California, thru the Department of Developmental Services has the legal responsibility to provide services to the developmentally disabled in the state of California but we believe that this County has a moral responsibility to provide services to this segment of our community. Maintaining Quality Services in Contra Costa County Comparable services that are provided by the programs at the George Miller Centers are not available elsewhere in this County. Existing programs in West Contra Costa County are not providing the quality of programs provided by the County and I do not believe they have the capabilities to provide the same quality of programming. The other major providers of services in West County are operating with minimum wage employees, with no benefits for those employees and massive turnover of frontline staff every few months. Many of these employees are on the fringes of our society and do not have the skills to provide comprehensive "_7reeolom 7s Xof,-7rve" services to this fragile population. The two major Community based programs in West County do not have program sites,they only have office space for their program managers and their enrollees ride around the community in vans for the majority of the program day. On nice days they spend much of their time in parks and on not so nice days,program is in the mall or other inside public facilities. As an advocate for the DD population of West County I respectfully ask that you vote not to give notice to the Regional Center that the County does not intend to renew its contract. Please afford the employees the same opportunities that were provided to other departments, allow them to provide the County Administrator with alternative methods that could be implemented representing a reduction in the cost being provided by the County to supplement the Miller Center Programs. Finally, 1.6 million is not a great amount for Contra Costa County to spend on the developmentally disabled, but there are numerous cost effective ways to operate with much less of a supplement. In closing, I repeat what I said to you in my first letter, with good management and the use of innovative, creative fiscal planning the George Miller Centers will thrive with much less support than in the past 13 years. They will never be a source of income for the County but with the right leadership they can be nearly self-supporting if you allow them to continue as County operated programs. Sincerely, Doris Denson-Belcher, President Richmond Branch NAACP