PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Social Services funds health and human service programs for which County participation is mandated by the State of Florida and awards grants to local service providers who demonstrate successful prevention and intervention strategies that serve to reduce these costly mandates. The services are delivered in such a way that they preserve and encourage the individual's dignity and sense of self-worth as well as the dignity and self-worth of those who provide the services.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS:

• The following social service functions of the Division of Housing and Human Services are requirements of State law.

• Medicaid Match Program - Mandated under Chapter 409 F.S.

• Health Care Responsibility Act - Mandated under Chapter 154 F.S.

• Mental Health Program - Mandated under Chapters 394 and 396 F.S.

• Indigent Burial Program - Various references, including Leon County Policy 83-3.

• Disposition of Unclaimed Bodies and Chapter 245.06 F.S.

• Child Protection Exams – Chapter 39.304(5) F.S.

• Choose Life Program – Chapter 320.0058(30) F. S.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Leon County Division of Health and Human Services provides the following social services programs, either directly or indirectly:

* Medicaid Match Program - As mandated by State law, the County pays 35% of the cost of hospitalization for Leon County Medicaid patients with hospital stays extending from the 13th through the 45th day. $55 per month is also paid for each County nursing home resident.

* Health Care Responsibility Act - This program funds out-of-county emergency hospital care for indigent Leon County patients.

* Mental Health Program - As required by State law, Leon County provides matching funds for acute care programs such as: Baker Act, community mental health programs, alcohol abuse/chemical dependency treatment and transporting clients to the State hospital. The County pays 25% of the program costs exclusive of third party payments, fees and other local contributions for its indigent residents. The State of Florida funds the remaining 75 percent.

* Indigent Burial Program - This program provides for the burial of qualified indigent and unclaimed deceased persons at County expense and in the County's pauper cemetery. Public Works crews prepare the grave site.

* Tubercular Care - The purpose of this program is to coordinate the admission and transportation of indigent tuberculosis patients to a state tuberculosis hospital.

* Human Service Grants - Based upon the recommendations of a citizen advisory committee, the County awards grants to local human service providers.

* Direct Emergency Assistance Program (DEAP) - DEAP provides emergency assistance with basic necessities such as rent, utilities/fuel, food and medication in an effort to prevent homelessness, malnutrition and disease for citizens meeting eligibility criteria.

* Child Protection Exams – The County pays for examination cost for children who are alleged to have been abused, abandoned, or neglected.

* Choose Life Program – The County acts as the distribution agency for proceeds of the sale of Choose Life specialty automobile license plates. The funds are allocated only to non-profit agencies that provide healthcare services and counseling to pregnant women who choose adoption. click to download form

TRENDS AND ISSUES:

Health care issues continue to dominate Division operations. Both the federal and state level of government appear deeply committed to wholesale change and there is much uncertainty about whether any relief will come to county governments as a result of the reforms. It is also probable that Counties will have an expanded role in this issue.

Leon County's Human Service Grant Program aims to reduce costly "back-end" costs, such as Medicaid, mental health programs and the costly criminal justice system, by providing key preventative services through local service providers.

Under the County's Direct Emergency Assistance Program, for FY 2001, 203 households were assisted with rent, utility and medication vouchers in order to prevent homelessness and disease. An additional 44 households were aided by the Federal funds available to Leon County through the Department of Community Affairs.

For more information contact Patrick Casserleigh, Human Services Analyst, at (850) 606-1912 or casserleighp@leoncountyfl.gov.

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