MINUTES OF THE

FUNDING OF STATE AND COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TASK FORCE

Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 1:00 p.m. - Room 403 State Capitol

Revised June 6, 2002

Note: A list of others present and a copy of materials can be found at http://image.le.utah.gov/imaging/history.asp or by contacting the committee secretary, Alicia Laughlin, at 538-1032.

1. Call to Order

Chair Seitz called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.

2. Committee Business

Task force members and staff introduced themselves.

Chair Seitz explained the statutory requirements for the Task Force (H.B. 251, 2002 General Session), including voting procedures and quorum requirements. The Task Force discussed and established future meeting dates.

3. Background Information-Staff Presentations

Mr. Steinagel and Mr. Smith gave presentations to the Task Force on health, mental health, substance abuse, and aging and adult services in the county and State of Utah; including:

a. Organization at State and County Levels for Service Delivery;

b. Statutory Requirements Relating to State/County Roles in Service Delivery;

c. Historical Funding Levels;

d. Role of Medicaid; and

e. Conclusions of the Previous Task Force-Principles adopted by the Funding Human Service Subcommittee and Issues/Friction Points between State and County officials in 1986.

Mr. Rees highlighted statutory requirements by the State and county in health, mental health, substance abuse, and aging and adult services.

4. Some Stakeholders' Views

Health

Mr. Rod L. Betit, Executive Director, Utah Department of Health, distributed written comments and explained how the State Department of Health administers funding. He responded to Task Force questions.

Sen. Walker assumed position as chair.

Mr. David Cunningham, President, Local Health Officers Association, and Mr. Lewis R. Garrett, Health Officer, Davis County Health Department, provided a presentation to the Task Force explaining the concerns and goals of the local health districts.

Rep. Seitz resumed position as chair.

Mr. Brent Bradford, Deputy Director, DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality), explained that the previous discussion of state and county roles brought about the creation of an Environmental Service Delivery Plan. He indicated that the plan has worked fairly well and that it has become the basis for the relationship and funding of local and state health programs. He indicated that the local health department, state health department, and DEQ, along with federal departments have formed a Performance Partnership Agreement. He explained that there has been an increase of demand for environmental services and that local authorities do not all have the necessary technical capabilities or expertise to deal with the increasing demand in environmental services. He also stated that, as demand has increased, funding has decreased both on the state and federal level. He responded to Task Force questions.

Task Force discussion followed.

Task Force members requested that the organizations provide information regarding duplicated programs between the county and state authorities for the next Task Force meeting.

Human Services

Ms. Robin Arnold-Williams, Executive Director, Department of Human Services, explained six key issues for the Task Force to study, which would assist in the funding of state and county health and human services: (1) social services block grant; (2) conflicting state statutes regarding mental health, substance abuse, and aging and adult services; (3) roles and responsibilities of state, county, local officials, etc.; (4) conflicts in state statute between the roles and responsibilities of local authorities and state departments; (5) impact of current budget and economy on expectations of eligibility through state mandates; and (6) organizational placement and structure within state government. She distributed information regarding organization of the human services departments in Utah.

Task Force members requested information regarding conflicting statutes and mandates that would assist the Task Force in resolving concerns in human services as well as more detailed Medicaid information for the next meeting.

Mental Health

Mr. Jack Tanner, Executive Director, Utah Behavioral Health Care Network, distributed charts on mental health in Utah. He explained that the Utah model factors enhance client services, provide expanded treatment resources, improve quality of treatment, and strengthening the overall system of care for mental health patients.

Mr. Randall W. Bachman, Division of Mental Health, distributed "What are the Needs of Persons with Mental Illness?" and "Question and Answers about the Public Mental Health System." He explained the importance of mental health. He indicated that mental health has become a Medicaid-driven system over the past 20 years.

Task Force discussion followed.

Substance Abuse

Mr. Harold Morrill, Executive Director, Weber County Human Services, explained that several years ago, the Association of Counties and Health and Human Services Committee met with the Governor and presented various initiatives would strengthen the relationship between local authorities and the state executive branch: (1) the same level of compensation adjustment offered to state authority programs be offered to local authority programs; (2) the same funding increases for growth, federal funding match, and program expansion be offered to local authority programs; and (3) the policies, procedures, audit requirements, licensing, program evaluations, and oversight be consistent across the state authority programs and local authority programs. He stated concerns for the substance abuse program.

Mr. Patrick J. Flemming, Director, Division of Substance Abuse, distributed "Division of Substance Abuse-2001 Annual Report." He explained that the division provides treatment services and prevention services, which are proving effective. He indicated that county government used to provide a variety of public services programs and that those services have migrated to become more of a state responsibility. He indicated that the roles and responsibilities of local and state authorities need to be redefined.

Aging and Adult Services

Ms. Shauna O'Neil, Director, Salt Lake County Aging Services, indicated that the average person served is a woman who is 79 years old and has an income of around $700. She indicated that the problem in aging and adult service now is that the baby boomers are approaching old age. She explained that the mission of the program is to keep the individuals in their homes as long as possible. She stated that older individuals are not only the agency's main client, but also its main resource, explaining that most of the staff providing services to the older population are part of the older population.

Ms. Helen Goddard, Director, Division of Aging and Adult Services, distributed "Offering Choices for Independence" and "Older Adults-Where to Get Help." She indicated that there is a lot of tension between aging and adult services authorities concerning services and funds.

5. Other Items/Adjourn

Chair Seitz indicated that the Task Force should review the principles that were adopted by the Health Funding Subcommittee in 1986 so that the Task Force might adopt its own principles in its next meeting.

Chair Seitz adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.