Sonoma County Approves $1.9M In Funding For Mental Health, Substance Abuse Services
But the Behavioral Health division is confronting a deficit in the current budget year of $8.6 million.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Fills Budget Shortfall In Mental Health Services But Larger Gap Looms
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved the use of about $1.9 million tax and redevelopment funds to continue funding mental health and drug abuse services provided by local nonprofit groups. The funding allows the county Behavioral Health division to continue funding services provided by “community partners” through the end of the current fiscal year. However, officials have said future cuts are likely as the department faces up to a $19 million deficit when the new fiscal year starts in July. (Espinoza, 4/3)
In other news from across the state —
East Bay Times:
Fight Over Sexual Education In Fremont Schools Intensifying
Until further review, a sex education curriculum criticized by many as too graphic for children in grades 4-6 won’t be taught later this month as initially planned. At a March 28 meeting packed by hundreds of parents, teachers and students, the Fremont school board voted 3-2 to examine the course and possibly order modifications before offering it to elementary school students. (Geha, 4/3)
Fresno Bee:
Fresno County Signs Contract With New Jail Medical Provider
Fresno County supervisors approved contracts Tuesday with a Monterey-based health company to take over medical and psychiatric care of inmates at the county jail and the juvenile justice campus . California Forensic Medical Group, Inc., will begin providing care July 1. The five-year contract for jail services is for $121 million. CFMG will replace Corizon Health, which began providing services in June 2014. Fresno County hired Corizon, a Tennessee-based company, to provide jail health services after the county came under fire over inmates’ deaths and became the target of a federal lawsuit. The Bee's 2013 special report "Locked in Terror" chronicled issues with the county's jail medical and psychiatric services. (Anderson, 4/3)
Orange County Register:
CSUF Robotics Researcher Wins $500,000 For Assistive Technology
Known for her work developing novel robotics technologies to assist people with neurological disorders, such as strokes and spinal cord injuries, mechanical engineer Nina Robson has received a $500,000 Early CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation. ...Robson’s faculty-student research projects include developing new design methods for multi-fingered robotic hands. (Fawthrop, 4/4)