HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm on Fam-Children Staff Memo
To: Deschutes County Board of Commissioners DeBone, Baney and Unger
From: Scott Johnson, Deschutes County Health Services
Hillary Saraceno, Deschutes County Children & Families Commission
Date: September 11, 2012
Subj: County Health & Human Services: Organizing for the future in line with State changes
Background – Changes in state laws, policies and priorities are resulting in a reform of Oregon’s health and education
systems. The health changes include development of coordinated care organizations (e.g. PacificSource) and our
region’s Health Council and Health Board. Education reform reframes the work into a comprehensive early childhood –
K12 – and higher education system led by the Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB). The OEIB system includes
development of a new Early Learning Council (ELC) and new Youth Development Council (YDC), with area “hubs” to
better serve and support higher risk children and families. While the 2013 Legislature is expected to define the ELC and
YDC work more precisely, it is clear that regional hubs will emerge and that our resources for young children and youth
services will be linked to this effort. It is also clear that Oregon’s Commission on Children & Families system, as currently
constituted, will end. Locally, we have an opportunity to reorganize our efforts and assets toward these new systems in
a focused and complementary fashion.
Our preliminary recommendations are that we …
Reorganize and possibly merge our current County departments to align with the State changes, focusing on
efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability and with an emphasis on prevention.
Provide specific policy and administrative suggestions to you by December 2012. If supported, they would be
reflected in our FY 14 budget and staffing plan.
Develop recommendations that align with the CO Health Board interest in serving as the ELC and YDC hub in
consultation with Jefferson and Crook county groups.
Link the health and education agendas for three reasons: 1. efficiency 2. children’s health is a determinant of
educational success and 3. educational attainment correlates with improved health.
Guidance from the Board of Commissioners?
Are you receptive to our joint effort to prepare recommendations in consultation with Erik?
Do you have any specific direction regarding what you would like to see?
Do you support a continuing focus on prevention and community outreach? A role for citizen advisory group?
Do you support linking the County’s health and education efforts?
c. Bill Davidson, CFC Chair and Steve Swisher, CFC Vice Chair
Kim Curley & Jock Pribnow, PHAB; Darrel Wilson & Marianne Straumfjord, BHAB
Ken Hales, Juvenile Community Justice