2007 Challenge Awards

WINNERS:

CALIFORNIA COUNTIES INNOVATION AWARD

The following program was honored for its innovation and creativity. The judging panel selected it among Challenge Award recipients as the most innovative program.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

A Health Plan Delivering Excellence

Contact: Ron Komers
Assistant County Executive Officer
Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 1569
Riverside, CA 92502-1569

Phone: 951/955-3510
E-mail rkomers@rc-hr.com

With health care costs rising, it became apparent that more and more County employees had trouble affording comprehensive health coverage. County hospitals and clinic health care facilities were overwhelmed and not receiving adequate revenue for services, and commercial health plans routinely excluded the County hospital and clinics from network participation, denying employees access to use the County's own facilities.
As a solution to this growing problem, the County developed a self-administered employee health plan called Exclusive Care, using the exemption provided under the Knox-Keene Act. This plan offers more affordable health coverage to regular County employees, as well as In-Home Supportive Services workers. Because the plan is self-administered, it was able to retain design and network flexibility, and quick responsiveness to merging costs and health care trends.
Since the inception of Exclusive Care in 1999, it is estimated that that the County's hospital, Riverside County Regional Medical Center, and the County Community Health Agency family health centers have received more than $11 million in revenue that they would not have otherwise seen. The premium savings have also benefited the individual employees participating in the plan. The Exclusive Care model has been so successful that the County has developed a new retiree plan to provide coverage to retirees at a lower cost as well; that plan will be offered starting in January 2008.

CALIFORNIA COUNTIES REPLICATION AWARD

The following program was honored for its innovation and potential to be replicated by other California counties..

SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Emancipated Foster Youth Employment Program

Contact: Joanne Cox,
Human Resources Director
70 W. Hedding Street, 8th Floor
San Jose, CA 95110

Phone: 408/299-5835
E-mail: joanne.cox@esa.sccgov.org

This program provides entry-level job opportunities to untrained, economically disadvantaged emancipated foster youth who are transitioning out of the system. Between 130 and 150 youth "age out" of foster care in the county each year, at age 18. These youth often have no safety net, are unemployed or become unemployed, or fall into the hidden homeless population. Studies and regional evidence have also shown that a significant number of these young adults end up in expensive systems of care, such as jail and welfare.
Prior to the development of the Emancipated Foster Youth Employment Program, the county had limited job opportunities for qualified emancipated foster youth, and the existing job opportunities were only available within the Social Services Agency. In early 2006, three county departments came together to develop a pilot employment program for youth to receive training for temporary, paid assignments. Training included interviewing tips and assistance in completing job applications, followed immediately by interviews for initial job assignments.
The program has now been expanded to include more than 500 alternately staffed entry- level positions. To date, 30 emancipated foster youth have been hired into temporary positions and 10 have been hired into permanent positions with the county. Additionally, legislation has been introduced by Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr. (AB 671) that would create a similar Program at the State level.

CALIFORNIA COUNTIES REPLICATION AWARD

The following program was honored for its innovation and potential to be replicated by other California counties...

TULARE COUNTY

Tulare County Youth Transitions Programs

Contact: Christina Jones
TulareWORKs Staff Services Analyst
Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency
5957 S. Mooney Blvd.
Visalia, CA 93277

Phone: 559/737-4660, ext. 2156
Email: cjones@tularehhsa.org

The Tulare County Youth Transitions Program was established to private at-risk youth with an opportunity for real work experience and a career path leading to self-sufficiency and lifelong success. Each year, approximately 250 youth in Tulare County reach the age of 18 and emancipate from the foster care system. Many of these young adults find themselves on their own, with little or no support from the community.
The program provides jobs for selected youths with Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency - a match that benefits both the youth and an agency that traditionally had difficulty keeping all of its positions filled. After completing a series of preparatory workshops, the selected youths submit applications and interview for available positions at TulareWORKs locations. Each participant is provided an assigned mentor, opportunities for training and preparation for various civil service examinations.
Through participation in this program, young people are finding a confidence and independence they have not previously known. In addition, the salaries paid to them have provided needed income and positioned them on the road to becoming self-sufficient. Since hiring began for the program in October 2006, a total of 43 young adults have participated in the program, with 34 of them still employed with TulareWORKs.

CHALLENGE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Population: Under 50,000

TRINITY COUNTY

Community Partnerships - Saving a Rural Hospital

Contact: Jeff Morris
Trinity County Supervisor
PO Box 1613
Weaverville, CA 96093

Phone: 530/623-1217
Email: jmorris@trinitycounty.org

Trinity Hospital, a county-owned facility, transitioned into a district hospital through an innovative partnership formed by the county government and local electric utility. Trinity Hospital, like many rural county-owned hospitals, was facing a fiscal crisis. In response, the County approached the local utility district for assistance. The utility district advanced the County funds to keep the hospital afloat and a joint powers authority was developed between the two agencies to run the facility. Furthermore, a successful election was held that created a healthcare district and tax measure to fund the hospital. A citizens committee called "Trinity Cares" played an integral role in the formation of the healthcare district and passages of the tax measure. Trinity County now has a hospital as part of an independent healthcare district that will continue to save an average of one life per week through its emergency room, as well as providing much-needed daily care to its citizens. In a county that has never passed a countywide tax measure, it is remarkable that this measure was passed with 70 percent of the vote. This has also created a more positive relationship between Trinity County and the local utility district. Working together, the community was able to keep its hospital open and make a difference by saving lives.

Population: 50,000 to 200,000

SAN BENITO COUNTY

With a Little Help From Our Friends

Contact: Kathryn Flores
Director
Health and Human Services
1111 San Felipe Road
Suite 207
Hollister, CA 95023

Phone: 831/636-4180
E-mail: kflores@sanebenitohhsa.org

San Benito County partnered with the Union 4-H Club to raise mosquitofish to distribute to county residents as part of its West Nile Virus Program. For the past several years, mosquito abatement has become a public healthy priority. Mosquitofish are small, minnow-like fish that rapidly consume mosquito larvae in ponds, fountains and horse troughs. Yet the effective distribution of mosquitofish was difficult with only two part-time employees and a very small budget. This precluded the implementation of a mosquitofish breeding and distribution operation. The Union 4-H Club approached the County with a proposal to raise and distribute mosquitofish to residents free of charge. In previous years, residents had to drive more than 60 miles to obtain mosquitofish from a neighboring mosquito abatement district. This project new provides a local means for residents to obtain mosquitofish at both the Downtown Farmer's Market and from the 4-H leader's own residence. Had the county undertaken this project alone it would have cost $10,000; with the Union 4-H Club costs totaled approximately $200. Since 2006 mosquitofish have been distributed to 525 residents and no human cases of West Nile Virus have been found in San Benito County.

TUOLUMNE COUNTY

Tuolumne County Library Tech-Know Rodeo

Contact: Constance J. Corcoran
Director of Library Services
480 Greenley Road
Sonora, CA 95370

Phone: 209/694-2711
Email: ccorcoran@co.tuolumne.ca.us

Since libraries have abandoned cart catalogs in favor of computerized systems, even long-time users can be at a loss about services as basic as how to find books. Furthermore, the library's Web site contains information and helpful links - all too valuable to be missed. To help older residents use its new information technologies, the County Library presented "Tech-Know Rodeo," an all-day exposition that included demonstrations, prizes, food and fun. Library staff and local educators planned the event to feature new library services and basic computer literacy, aimed at people over 40 years old. A rodeo theme was chosen in keeping with the major springtime event in the county and to encourage a fun-filled spirit that would overcome the intimidation many feel about computers. The main event encouraged people to "ride the library Web site" to find books and place requests from home. The local community college, county schools and database vendors demonstrated homework help resources, safe Web sites for children, classes for learning software applications and local human services. More than 200 people attended the event, and 100 percent of those surveyed said the rodeo was useful to them. Use of the library's Web-based catalog to place requests increased 27 percent the next month.

Population: 200,001 to 700,000

SOLANO COUNTY

BabyFirst Solano Improves Prenatal Care

Contact: Jayleen Richards,
Health Services Manager
275 Beck Avenue, MS 5-240
Fairfield, CA 94533

Phone: 707/784-8615
E-mail: jmrichards@solanocounty.com

Through a public and private partnership, BabyFirst Solano creates a system of care that educates and empowers pregnant and parenting women to deliver healthy, drug-free babies. The county's challenge was that prenatal and perinatal indicators fell short of national goals, and many newborns had been exposed to alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. These children are at an increased risk of poor health outcomes, chronic health problems, developmental delays and learning disabilities. BabyFirst Solano's partnership identifies and addresses barriers to care, streamlines services and coordinates activities. Multi-agency teams of health professionals and outreach workers provide comprehensive services, including linkage to medical insurance and prenatal care, case management and care coordination, home visiting, health and parenting education and substance abuse services. The project is funded through First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission and federal matching funds under Title V. The program has completed each year under budget. Some outcomes are: 89 percent of newborns were born at optimal weight and gestational age; 64 percent of clients entered first trimester prenatal care; the county's teen preterm birth rate is significantly less (7.4 percent) than the rate in California (10.9 percent) and the U.S. (13.2 percent); and about 71 percent of clients receiving substance use services were substance-free by the third trimester.

SONOMA COUNTY

Economic Assistance Service Center

Contact: Marion Deeds
Division Director Economic Assistance
P.O. Box 1539
Santa Rosa, C 95402

Phone: 707/565-5301
E-mail: mdeeds@schsd.org

Caseloads for Food Stamps and Medi-Cal processed by the Human Services Department increased rapidly from 2000-2005, resulting in poor services for clients and an overwhelmed staff. Funding did not keep pace with caseload growth, and eligibility workers were handling an average of 645 cases each. The Economic Assistance Service Center was launched in March 2007. It includes an upgraded phone system and a computer application that allows a caseworker to view imaged documentation anywhere in the agency. Rather than having specific cases assigned to specific workers, the service center pools all clients so anyone answering the phone can assist any client. A tracking tool allows the county to monitor the casework, track unfinished work and balance workloads. This new service center will save the county an estimated $4.4 million over five years, compared to the staffing levels required to meet the increasing caseload under the old structure. Customers calling the toll-free number are now connected within about 20 seconds with a skilled worker who has access to any information needed in order to take immediate action for the client. The service center is serving more than 50,000 Medi-Cal, Food Stamp and County Medical Services Program clients monthly.

Population: 700,001 and Above

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Solid Waste Information Management System

Contact: William Reoch, Systems Development Specialist
Department of Public Works
900 South Fremont Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91803

Phone: 626/458-4171
E-mail: wreoch@dpw.lacounty.gov

County residents produce about 12 million tons of trash each year, and Public Works is required to track that waste to determine their recycling rate for reporting to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The Solid Waste Information Management System is a Web-enabled application that tracks and reports how much waste each community in Los Angeles County produces. Previously, Public Works created these reports manually in hardcopy. Instead of two full-time civil engineering assistants, one administrative assistant now generates the reports. The new system standardizes the reports, eliminates data entry errors and streamlines the compiling and reporting process, resulting in annual cost savings of $580,000. Any user, including the public, can access solid waste disposal information and download a variety of reports. All landfills, solid waste transfer stations, waste-to-energy facilities, materials recovery facilities and waste haulers can send their information through this application. Users can log in 24 hours a day, create customized reports, upload figures and make changes using minimal county staff resources. Access to this information is crucial for planning County solid waste management programs. Customized reports facilitate trends analysis, enabling the County, cities and other agencies to more effectively plan solid waste disposal and safeguard public health and the environment.

ORANGE COUNTY

New Leash on Life

Contact: Vicki Mathews, Manager
Legislative and Public Affairs
Probation Department
1535 E. Orangewood Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92805

Phone: (not provided)
E-mail: vicki.mathews@prob.ocgov.com

In an effort to increase social skills, self esteem and responsibility in the female population at Juvenile Hall, the "New Leash on Life" program was created to bring puppies from the Orange County Animal Shelter for the girls to care for. Program goals include enjoying the experience of unconditional love the puppies provide; and to teach the girls skills and abilities needed to care for the puppies. These skills and attributes assist the girls in their own growth and development. The program enlists the help of the girls in the 60-bed, female detention unit at Juvenile Hall to provide foster care to puppies too young to stay at the shelter. The program is a joint effort between the Probation Department's Juvenile Hall and the County's Animal Shelter, resulting in savings for the shelter as well as positively impacting the behavior of the girls. Physical altercations between the girls decrease when the puppies are being fostered in the unit. At times, the most challenging girls become easier to work with when they become "Puppy Moms." This program not only promotes a positive influence on the young girls who are often lacking positive life lessons, but also provides love and affection to small, vulnerable puppies.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Silverhawk Park and Trail System

Contact: Suzanne Holland
Deputy Director, Community Services Division
Economic Development Agency
P.O. Box 1180
Riverside, CA 92502

Phone: 951/955-6621
E-mail: sholland@rivcoeda.org

The Silverhawk Park and Trail System is a set of community parks and recreational trails built into a network of utility access easements within the unincorporated community of Silverhawk. Home development in the area required a system of access roads to service overhead utility poles and underground gas pipelines. Unfortunately, these utility access roads had become havens for trespassing, illegal off-highway motorized vehicle use and illegal dumping.
To combat the problem, a local County Service Area developed trail/park scenarios that were presented to local utility companies and homebuilders for consideration. Pulte Home, a national homebuilder, agreed that the Silverhawk Park and Trail System was necessary, both to increase the attractiveness of the surrounding area and provide an additional selling point to future residents seeking outdoor recreational activities.
Since completion of the project, the county has seen a dramatic decrease in illegal dumping and graffiti in the community. The park and trail system has also proved to be a heavily used public recreational amenity for area residents. As a result of the public/private cooperative team effort behind the project, minimal public funds were used for construction of the trail and park landscaping. The project has also reduced the amount the county previously spent to clean up graffiti and illegal trash dumping.

SACRAMENTO, COLUSA, EL DORADO, PLACER AND YUBA COUNTIES

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Regional Health Initiative

Contact: Bonnie Ferreira
Executive Director
1321 Garden Hwy., Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833

Phone: 916/929-1724
E-mail: bferreira@cityofsacramento.org

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Regional Health Initiative is the first and only non-profit regional children's health initiative in the state. The program's mission is to ensure every child in the Sierra, Sacramento Valley region (Colusa, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yuba Counties) will have access to comprehensive, affordable and continuous health coverage that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. Its key strategies are to cultivate new public-private partnerships for children's coverage, bringing together public and private entities to share in the responsibility of coverage for all kids. It creates a new and comprehensive regional insurance program called Healthy Kids, which mirrors the state's Healthy Families benefit plan. Healthy Kids, Healthy Future was established to contract with the health plans, operate as the official fund holder for Healthy Kids premiums, maintain the Web-based enrollment system, raise funds, manage grants and evaluate the regional model. The initiative's annual budget is $3.2 million with more than 90 percent of funds used for premium subsidies. This initiative has maximized appropriate utilization of preventive and primary care services, and increased provider capacity to provide accessible health services to children throughout the region. Having insurance for these children will have a positive impact on their lives, as well as on the social and economic well being of the region.