Fresno County Mulls Cuts to Public Health Mental Health Services

Leaders of the Fresno County Departments of Public Health and Behavioral Health are considering eliminating staff positions and services because of a drop of revenue from the state, the Fresno Bee reports.

Fresno County likely will see about $3.6 million less than expected in revenue state vehicle license fees and sales taxes that help fund health care and mental health services. 

This is the second round of cuts for the departments, coming after the board of supervisors this summer passed a $1.7 billion budget requiring most county departments to reduce services.

Proposals

Fresno County Public Health Director Edward Moreno has proposed abolishing or reducing six programs, including:

• The nursing field services unit, which typically responds to disease outbreaks; and
• A specialty clinic focused on prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

In addition, Moreno has proposed that the department no longer schedule nurses at the county jail at night or at a boot camp for juvenile offenders.

Moreno proposes cutting about 40 public health positions in total.

Board Chair Henry Perea disagrees with Moreno's decision to target health clinics and medical services. Instead, Perea supports a plan by Behavioral Health Director Giang Nguyen to close Apollo, a residential program for residents with mental illnesses.