SACRAMENTO – The Senate passed a bill by Assemblywoman Patty Berg that would allow counties to consolidate health and human services programs so they can help more people while using less money.

Assembly Bill 315 would remove the sunset date that allows counties to streamline and consolidate services for county health and human services programs. Humboldt, Mendocino and Alameda counties have been relying on the law to make their local programs more efficient.

“My bill helps counties use their limited resources to provide better services for county residents,” said Berg, D-Eureka. “In an era of budget cuts, the key to cost savings and better services is to consolidate and streamline programs.”

Assembly Bill 315 helps counties save money and it encourages innovation and reform.

“It’s about doing more without spending more,” said Berg.

For example, Humboldt County has been able to consolidate health and human services and deliver them through one county department instead of several. By placing all the various departments into the Department of Health and Human Services, the county has been able to better coordinate services, create community resource centers, offer more services to the working poor and access more federal funds.

With a vote of the county Board of Supervisors, the county can decide what health and human services programs to consolidate and streamline.

The bill now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his consideration.

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