Hello HHS colleagues,
I want to extend my hearty congratulations to the entire HHS team for bringing home five (five!) California State Association of Counties awards this year, which you can read more about below. Placer was one of the top overall recipients this year. This is unprecedented for our department and is a testament to your innovative spirit and dedication to our residents. I feel lucky to be part of this team.
It's been a few months and I wanted to update you all as to where we are in our strategic planning process, which will help us take stock of where we are as a department, refine our shared vision and set goals and priorities for the next several years.
Over the last few months we've been gathering feedback from more than 250 stakeholders, both internal and external. This includes focus groups with staff members from each division as well as interviews with approximately 40 community partners from different sectors, ranging from governments to nonprofits and in fields from health care to law enforcement. These discussions touched on a variety of critical issues including everything from employee recruitment and retention to mental health and housing.
We've also compiled data around these topics to inform decision-making, from the Be Well Placer Community Dashboard along with other sources.
Now we'll be moving into the next stage of the planning process. Just last week, our Planning Group - which includes 3-4 staff members from each division - met to discuss what data and feedback resonates most strongly. An executive committee will be reviewing feedback as well and further honing priorities and strategies over the next few months. We expect to have a plan drafted by the new year and finalized in spring.
We greatly appreciate those who have taken the time to participate in the process so far, and if you have questions or would like to share additional input, please feel free to reach out to our Staff Services Manager Raúl Martínez, rmartinez@placer.ca.gov.
Best,
Jeff
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Placer County received five awards from the California State Association of Counties, the organization announced this week, all for Health and Human Services programs. The CSAC awards spotlight the most innovative programs developed and implemented by California counties.
Placer was one of just 11 counties to receive a Challenge Award, and in fact received two. The first went to the Public Health division for its Whole Person Care pilot program, aimed at high-risk homeless individuals. In its first year of operation, the program has housed more than 75 people and served more than 240 clients overall, including many with severe medical needs. Whole Person Care has also purchased permanent supportive housing with the help of a Sutter Health Foundation grant. The program has improved data and information sharing between service providers, including a digital platform called PreManage that sends real-time alerts to case managers when their clients go into the emergency room.
“Our goal is to connect the dots for homeless people who have been falling through the cracks,” said program manager Geoffrey Smith. “These are people who are cycling in and out of emergency rooms and jails. Helping them get stabilized is not only life-changing for the individual, but also benefits our overall system. We’re excited by initial successes and appreciate the recognition.”
The second Challenge Award went to the Environmental Health division for its drinking water forum, a unique event established last year to bring water regulators and operators from across the state together for four days of training and discussion around safe drinking water. The forum featured hands-on learning and a tour of the Squaw Valley water system. The first of its kind, the event is planned to continue on an annual basis to help meet ongoing challenges in the field.
“As drinking water regulations quickly evolve and become more complex, it is necessary for both regulators and industry professionals to continue their education in the field, and to develop a close working relationship,” said Wesley Nicks, Environmental Health director. “We are proud to have created this strong foundation for future learning and collaboration.”
Three other Health and Human Services programs also received Merit Awards:
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The Human Services division was recognized for its “Get Hired” workshop series, a set of free classes available to job seekers that resulted from a collaboration with Placer School for Adults.
- The Children’s System of Care also received an award for its unique implementation of safety organized practice, an approach to child welfare that seeks to strengthen supports around a child and family to keep more children in their homes.
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Environmental Health received a second award for its partnership with local nonprofits and faith-based organizations to ensure kitchen safety for mass food preparation for homeless shelters and emergencies.
“The CSAC Challenge Awards honor the innovative and creative spirit of California counties,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “As our counties continue to face new challenges, they are constantly developing solutions to best meet the needs of their residents. The programs receiving these awards exemplify the outstanding work being done throughout California’s 58 counties.”
For detailed information on each program and a full list of other award recipients, visit the CSAC website.
Earlier this year, Health and Human Services also received several awards from the National Association of Counties.
Environmental Health
5 Questions with Susan Leland
Susan Leland, a registered environmental health specialist with the county’s Health and Human Services Department, recently spent four weeks in Shasta County in response to a mutual aid request as the cleanup process began following the devastating Carr Fire. The fire ripped through nearly 230,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 residences and buildings. Leland discusses her experience and the lessons she’s brought home, as we wrap up National Preparedness Month.
What led to your deployment?
The Carr Fire started on July 23. It was hot and dry, so by the 26th it had jumped the Sacramento River and burned into Redding. There were strong winds in a fire tornado, and as a result the area burned completely - there was nothing left.
Environmental Health was requested in August, through the Health and Medical Mutual Aid system, and stepped up to assist. We’d fulfilled a mutual aid request before, in the Sonoma County fires, but this was a little different. Here, the state organizations were handling the cleanup. The Department of Toxic Substances Control was coming in for phase one of cleanup, which is the removal of household hazardous waste. For that first phase, they need a county health person with each team to enter private property. Since Shasta didn’t have the manpower, they reached out for mutual aid assistance. I deployed Aug. 13 and another specialist from Placer, Molly Murphy, also spent time there.
What were your main responsibilities?
I arrived in the morning and by 1 p.m. that afternoon there were four teams going site-to-site, parcel-to-parcel. Crews walk each burned site and structure and remove household hazardous waste like barbecue propane bottles, batteries, light ballasts, electronic waste, household chemicals, pesticides, paint, welding materials and more. This fire burnt pretty complete, and there was not a lot left, unlike Sonoma where there were still facades standing. It was complete devastation.
Our task as environmental health specialists is to oversee the cleanup process as the on scene health authority, ensure the safety of the workers and to interact with the public - that is, explain to property owners what we’re doing and disseminate information. Most people just need to understand the process. They do need to opt in for phase two of the cleanup, which is removal of ash and debris. It’s a free, state-funded program whereby the lot is cleaned and deemed re-buildable. They can also choose to opt out and do it themselves.
That first week it was over 110 degrees, and people were in flip flops and shorts. So we were also able to educate them about safety issues and advise them about wearing long sleeves and pants, and respirators.
What was most surprising about the experience?
The difference for me, compared to other deployments, was the complete devastation. It really emphasized how hot this fire burned. You had to be careful where you'd step and walk - the landscaping was all gone. In Sonoma, structures burned but a lot of landscaping was left. Here, everything was gone.
We were also there earlier, when the fire was still burning. In Sonoma we helped with phase two, but here we were there for phase one. The air quality was poor, and there was lots of smoke and heat.
What will be your main takeaway?
You can never be completely prepared for disasters, but we should try to be as prepared as possible as government agencies and as individuals. Here in California, wildfires are a part of our environment. For Placer, it isn't if it happens here - it's when.
Working closely now with my department, I feel more confident that we're getting in place standards and protocols for how to move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible. This is important to help bring closure to people who have been affected and protect the safety of those who have not been affected. People don’t always think about the larger ecosystem, but for example Shasta has the Sacramento River, and when winter comes this will have a huge impact on the ecosystem. The work we do on the front end is vitally important to protecting all of this in the long term.
Environmental health specialists are a unique breed. We work across jurisdictions and programs trying to protect the public's health, not just those directly impacted. We are truly there to protect the public’s health and the environment they live in.
Each time I deploy, I become more humble and grateful for the small things in life. People and pets are the most important to save. Physical belongings, as hard as they are to lose, can be replaced. In Shasta I was in areas where lives were lost. It's heartbreaking, and I’m just grateful that more lives weren't lost. People need to be prepared and understand the urgency of evacuations because fire is indiscriminate.
What should others know about responding to mutual aid?
This kind of request is relatively new. A lot of larger counties have the staffing to handle the cleanup themselves, or get supportive aid from a neighboring county. But since Shasta is surrounded by smaller counties, we were the primary source of mutual aid along with Yuba County.
But all the things we learned make us more aware of what we need to do to be prepared, and the resources that are out there to reach across the borders. Understanding our different communities as a whole and being able to put yourself in their shoes is really one of the biggest things I got out of it. It can happen to any of us. Being able to reach out and feel that you’re helping brings us all closer together as communities, as a state and as a whole. California has wildfires where other states have floods and tornadoes. It’s important to put the shoe on the other foot and understand what it's like to lose everything, and have to figure out how to start again.
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PHOTOS
Top: Leland, monitoring site as clean-up continues. Above, panoramic view of extent of the fire out over the mountains. Below, left, siding material wrapped around a tree trunk from the force of the winds inside the fire; and right, contracted hazardous material crew removing household hazardous waste from a property.
Click here to explore a full photo album from Environmental Health’s mutual aid response in Shasta County.
Drinking water workshop next month in Squaw Valley
Placer County is hosting its second annual free drinking water workshop from Oct. 9-12 in Squaw Valley. Regulators and operators from around the region are invited to attend. There will be training on a variety of topics, as well as a groundwater system tour and backflow prevention device testing demonstration. Learn more here.
Adult System of Care
Recovery Happens for Placer residents
Placer County has recognized Recovery Month all September by celebrating substance use and mental health recovery and highlighting programs that help people along that path. Thanks to those who have joined in this celebration, including hundreds who attended the annual Recovery Happens event in Auburn. At the event, we asked people: “What does recovery mean to you in one word?” Check out this video for some inspiration and hope! It’s clear that recovery happens -- here in Placer, every day.
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Dozens of parolees commended for success in Re-Entry Program
For men and women on parole or probation, the transition to being law abiding, contributing members of society can be challenging. More than 70 Placer County Re-Entry Program (PREP) clients received plaques at a ceremony earlier this month for completing core requirements of the program. The skills they learned will help them succeed as they re-enter their communities. Individuals received recognition for overcoming challenges and achieving impressive personal goals.
PREP is is a collaborative effort between the Sacramento County Office of Education, the Placer County Probation Department, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Health and Human Services and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The program serves state parolees and county probationers assessed to be at high or moderate risk of reoffending.
Read the rest of the article on the Sacramento County Office of Education website.
PREP also recognized Placer County partner agencies at the ceremony, held at the Placer County Fairgrounds. The Adult System of Care’s Substance Use Services team received an award for community partnership. Congratulations to staff and clients alike!
Mental health efforts see results in North Tahoe
In 2005, California’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) began disbursing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to expand services to children, adults, and families by portioning dollars to counties through several areas of impact. Placer County has contracted Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) since 2011 to facilitate grants in our region.
Read the full article on the Tahoe-Truckee Community Foundation website.
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Children's System of Care
Massive multi-agency sting targets human trafficking in Placer County
Law enforcement agencies throughout Placer County, including the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, recently conducted four days of human trafficking operations netting 40 arrests.
Trafficking of children is a concern in Placer County. Recently, local agencies have increased collaboration in an effort to identify victims and at-risk youth. The Children’s System of Care has provided $100,000 in state funding — allocated for efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) — to two agencies over two years to fund operations to identify exploited youth, and catch “customers” or “johns” in the process. The two agencies are the Roseville Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) and the Placer County Sheriff's Office in cooperation with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). CSOC also provided one-time funds of $15,000 to each agency to purchase equipment required for these operations.
Human trafficking operations like those conducted this month wage a battle on three fronts:
1. Victims (adults or juveniles) who are often coerced into the trade and exploited for the financial benefit of others;
2. Pimps/traffickers, who exploit the victims and profit from their work;
3. The customers, or “johns,” who create the market for prostitution.
When law enforcement agencies encounter any juvenile or adult sex workers who are being coerced and exploited, they treat them as victims rather than as criminal suspects. Law enforcement agencies work collaboratively with Stand Up Placer, Placer County’s advocacy agency for victims of human trafficking, and the Children’s System of Care to ensure that victims are offered support and appropriate services to protect them from their exploiters and help them escape from the sex trade.
Victims identified through the September sting were offered support and services to protect and help them escape the sex trade, through Stand Up Placer and Health and Human Services. Stay tuned to the District Attorney’s website for more updates on arrests and prosecution.
Free, confidential services are available to victims of human trafficking by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, or Stand Up Placer at 1-800-575-5352.
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Human Services
Medi-Cal team gears up for busy season
Last year, Placer County’s Medi-Cal team processed nearly 14,000 applications for healthcare and 23,000 renewals. This year, they are on track to reach those numbers again. A core team of 52 people manages this massive caseload.
The Affordable Care Act has simplified and opened up Medi-Cal eligibility so that anyone between the ages of 19 to 64 can apply based on their income and tax filing status. Cases are processed through county staff, who in turn interface with Covered California. The elderly and disabled can still qualify for other Medi-Cal programs.
“As caseworkers, we figure out what’s going to be the best program for each family to meet their needs,” stated Eligibility Specialist II Deana Sullivan. Children might qualify for one program, while their parents may qualify for another, since the federal poverty levels are different for adults and children. Customers’ information must be entered precisely into the county system so that it will communicate properly with state data systems.
“A lot of people have pre-existing conditions, so these clients are very appreciative. With Covered California, people often qualify for a tax subsidy or assistance with premiums which can help save hundreds of dollars every month,” said Carri Catilus, a senior eligibility specialist who has been with the county for seven years. “We're a limited staff but we're all here to help people, and that is what motivates us.”
The month of October will mark the start of Open Enrollment, and in the Medi-Cal world this means a massive surge in applications. The Placer team can go from receiving around 960 applications a month to around 1,480. Last January, they received 1,930 applications that month alone. Both the intake team and the continuing team, which manages renewals, experience an increase. “As a result of Open Enrollment, we also see an increase of approximately 1,200 calls coming through our call center. The increased workload is shared amongst all staff with rippling impact. However, we have a great team that is dedicated to helping all of our customers to ensure they have the benefits they need,” said Logan Pratt, program manager over call center and technology operations.
“We're digging in every day, 365 days a year, but open enrollment period is a particularly busy time. We’re always trying to work smarter and harder,” Sullivan said. “We have great teams that work together.”
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Administrative Services
Get to know the social services fiscal team
Starting this month, we’ll be sharing profiles of different Administrative Services teams so that HHS staff can better get to know some of the people that help keep the department running smoothly. Today, meet the social services team! This group works with several different divisions on state mandated programs ranging from public assistance to children’s services.
Supervising Accountant Megan Shepard handles training, budget/projection approvals, computer programs like Board and Workday and other special projects.
Julie Leipsic (Accountant II), Tammy Lindstrom (Sr. Account Clerk), Marilyn Pajari (Acct Clerk Journey), Debbi Gow (Sr. Account Clerk) and Layne Kuhn (Accountant I) all focus on programs within the Adult and Children’s Systems of Care. Tammy specifically works with the ASOC Public Guardian and Public Administrator program, working with the financial assets of clients under conservatorship (meaning they cannot properly care for themselves or their finances) among other duties. Marilyn also focuses on the ASOC Public Guardian program, working with clients’ bills and taxes. Julie works with ASOC and CSOC programs including In-Home Supportive Services, Adult Protective Services, child welfare, adoptions and foster care around budgets and projections, claims, special projects, revenue recognition, staff supervision and more. Layne works specifically with IHSS Public Authority on budgets and projections, claims, staff supervision and acts as technical lead to the team on assistance claims (county reimbursement for aid paid to clients) and caseload movement reports (statistical reports tracking our caseloads). Debbi also works with ASOC and CSOC across multiple programs, including adoption and foster care - helping provide aid to foster parents - and managing reimbursements from the federal and state governments.
Several other members of the team focus on Human Services programs, including Decca Melott (Accountant I), Mary Mathews (Accounting Technician), Michael Ensley (Sr. Accounting Clerk), Tyler Stenson (Accounting Clerk Entry) and Arielle Hoekstra (a student intern). Decca works with Human Services budget and projections, claims, special projects, revenue recognition and as team lead. Mary handles reimbursement claims for CalWIN and WIC (Women, Infants and Children). CalWIN spans several welfare programs in Human Services while WIC has a program within the Public Health division. Michael processes refunds and overpayments, process caseload movement reports and is supported by Arielle who aid in deposits and processing payments. Tyler, the newest member of the team, works on the accounting request desk which is a daily task where he aids workers in processing EBT cards and CalWIN account issues. He also prepares monthly account reconciliations, among other duties.
These many programs are reliant on the expertise and skill of the social services fiscal team to keep the machine humming so that other staff can focus on direct services to clients.
(PHOTO: L to R front: Decca, Debbi, Megan, Marilyn, Mary, Julie; L to R back: Tyler, Mike, Layne; Inset: Tammy)
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Public Health
Placer County Government Center campus goes smoke-free
The Placer County Government Center campus in North Auburn is now smoke-free under a new ordinance as of Sept. 27. You can find more details about the ordinance and resources at www.placer.ca.gov/smokefree.
The new ordinance is not a mandate to stop smoking and merely restricts where smoking can occur. However, if any employees are interested in quitting, a new class on smoking cessation will be available starting in October. Full details are here and employees are welcome to register.
For those who may still have questions regarding the new ordinance, there will also be discussion sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 10 and Friday, Oct. 12 in the Planning Commission Hearing Room at the Community Development Resource Center, 3091 County Center Dr. Both sessions will run from 12 to 12:30, so those interested can bring their lunch in addition to their questions!
If unable to attend you’re also welcome to reach out to the Tobacco Prevention Program team at (530) 889-7161 with any questions.
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Coalition set to hold walking event
The Placer Partnership for Public Health coalition is excited to announce the inaugural “Placer Walks” day of action for community members to learn and share the benefits of walking and being active. Placer Walks will educate residents on how walking has many health benefits, and provide resources for walking in the community (including parks and trails, at work, schools, and in neighborhoods).
On October 10, 2018, community partners across Placer County will come together to promote walking, with the help of a free Placer Walks toolkit and event guide. The Placer Walks toolkit is a resource guide for hosting your very own event, and provides many ideas for participation, media posts, community engagement, and more. While the event aligns with National Walk to School Day, the toolkit will show you how to participate in Placer Walks, no matter your organization!
If you’re interested in hosting a Placer Walks event at your school, business, or even in your neighborhood, please fill out the form here to receive your Placer Walks toolkit. We will send the Placer Walks toolkit electronically, so be sure to submit your email address when completing the form. The form will not only help us know what Placer Walks events are happening across the county, but helps us check-in to see how the event is going.
Feel free to forward this email to your community partners, and if there are any questions about this event, contact Cassie Call or Megan Thompson from Placer County Public Health.
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Placer County urges mosquito precautions following West Nile virus cases
Placer County’s public health officer, along with the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District, are reminding residents to continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, after several human cases of West Nile virus and one death linked to the disease.
While West Nile activity typically begins in early summer, it can continue to peak into the fall.
“Even in these last days of summer, West Nile virus can be a threat,” said Placer County Health Officer Dr. Rob Oldham. “These cases are rare, but a tragic reminder of the need to stay vigilant.”
Across the state, human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in 21 counties this year, with deaths in Glenn and Yuba counties. There have been seven cases in Placer so far this season, including one death.
In recent weeks, the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District has expanded aerial mosquito treatment in Roseville, Lincoln and western Placer agricultural areas.
Read more.
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Animal Services
Go behind-the-scenes with pets, wildlife alike at joint open house
Gold Country Wildlife Rescue and Placer County Animal Services will hold a joint open house to showcase their programs for domestic and wild animals on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Attendees can go on tours and get a behind-the-scenes view of both facilities — meeting dogs, cats and wildlife such as hawks along the way.
The event is free and open to adults and children of all ages. There will also be food trucks, kids’ activities, classic cars, special giveaways and more. Plus, with discounted $10 adoptions for dogs, cats and rabbits, families can go home with a new best friend.
Gold Country Wildlife Rescue and Placer County Animal Services are located at 11251 and 11232 B Avenue in Auburn. Gold Country Wildlife Rescue is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphaned and injured wildlife. For more information visit goldcountrywildliferescue.org. Placer County Animal Services operates animal control and adoption services, working to care for county pets and unite them with families through outreach and education. For more information visit placer.ca.gov/animal.
When Placer County Animal Services moved into a new, state-of-the-art facility in 2016, Gold Country Wildlife Rescue was able to move into their prior facility and the two organizations have deepened their partnership since. Come see what this dynamic duo is doing to protect the lives of all animals across Placer!
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Kudos to several HHS teams for putting their creativity on display at the 2018 Employee Picnic! Check out some photos here!
Congratulations to Roberto Raya (Environmental Health) for passing his Registered Environmental Health Specialist exam and receiving his certification from the state.
Congratulations to Steven Swink and Bailey Armstead (Adult System of Care) for passing the clinical exam to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Got more shout-outs? Email us!
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