RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SB 1288 (CEDILLO), MEDI-CAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT FOR MINORS

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) found in a 2004 report that, “while children and youth constitute about 23 percent of the caseload, they received only about 6 percent to 8 percent of the Drug Medi-Cal budget;” and

WHEREAS, under current law, youth receive a patchwork of services through Drug Medi-Cal or the federally mandated early, periodic, screening, diagnosis and treatment (EPSTD) program, which requires states to provide any medically necessary services; and

WHEREAS, while San Mateo County has an estimated 4,500 youth (12-17) that have substance abuse problems warranting treatment; the County serves only an estimated 300 youth through the patchwork of funding; and

WHEREAS, SB 1288 (Cedillo) would expand for youth (12-20 years of age) Drug Medi-Cal services to include residential treatment, outreach, screening, assessment, counseling and other services; and

WHEREAS, by expanding funding for youth-focused drug and alcohol services, SB 1288 is intended to encourage the development of more youth-focused treatment facilities that can then create a continuum of care.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Board of Supervisors by adoption of this resolution hereby supports SB 1288 (Cedillo) regarding Medi-Cal drug and alcohol treatment for minors.

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