COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager's Office

DATE:

April 1, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 8, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Resolution amending the San Mateo County 2003-2004 Legislative Program to include a legislative proposal to develop a home care assessment pilot project

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution amending the San Mateo County 2003-2004 Legislative Program to include a legislative proposal to develop a home care assessment pilot project.

Background

Institutionalized care is extremely expensive. Moreover, many consumers are prematurely placed in institutions when they could receive a more appropriate level of care through other means such as home and community-based services. A consistent and uniform assessment tool to determine the physical and mental capacity of long-term care applicants can help to ensure that consumers receive the appropriate level of care. This would avoid unnecessary institutionalization.

Discussion

The Aging and Adult Services Division (AAS) of the Health Services Agency have worked actively in long-term care integration for over 10 years. With grants from the California Department of Health Services, AAS continues to develop the Long-Term Supportive Services Project (LTSSP). As part of the LTSSP, AAS has worked with a coalition of advocates and service providers to develop a uniform, automated screening and assessment tool. This legislation would serve as a pilot for San Mateo County's efforts.

The home care assessment pilot project, as reflected in AB 786, would require the County of San Mateo to adopt the Minimum Data Set-Home Care (MDS-HC) assessment instrument for use by the home- and community-based programs. The bill would also require the Long-Term Care Council in the California Health and Human Services Agency to coordinate with the county to eliminate or reduce the need for parallel reporting requirements, as specified.

The Legislative Committee recommends adoption of this amendment to the 2003-2004 Legislative Session Program.

Vision Alignment

Support of a 2003-2004 Legislative Program amendment to include the home care assessment pilot project would help the County ensure basic health and safety for all and work toward Goal #5-to ensure residents have access to healthcare and preventative care.

Fiscal Impact

While this bill would be a state-mandated local program and have a fiscal impact, County staff is prepared to comply with the requirements. This program could enable the County to attract additional funding for implementation.