The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Executive
Committee met last week in Los Angeles County to discuss a gamut
of issues and policies affecting Counties across the state and
participate in a private tour of the Restorative Care Village at
Olive View UCLA Medical Center.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger opened the Wednesday
meeting and welcomed attendees before the group jumped into
business. Topics ranged from the coming CSAC Legislative
Conference COVID-19 protocols to Health and Human Services
priorities. CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus provided a
report on Governor Newsom’s CARE Court proposal and outlined the
necessity of stakeholder ownership of the issue. “It’s all about
ensuring at the end of the day there is reality that the State
owns a piece, counties own a piece and cities own a piece,” Knaus
said.
CSAC Legislative Representative Geoffrey Neill discussed
Broadband policy developments, highlighting the $6 billion
last-mile broadband infrastructure investment approved in 2021.
“Last year was our big watershed moment, this year we’re here to
support application of those funds,” Neill said. A preliminary
decision adopted earlier this month addressed questions like
how much will go to projects in each county, what types of
organizations are eligible, and what kinds of affordability
requirements the state will attach to the funded projects.
Thursday, Supervisor Barger lead a tour of the Restorative Care
Village at Olive View UCLA Medical Center joined by Executive
Committee members and CSAC staff. The new 85,000 square-foot
facility offers access to ongoing mental health services to those
who are medically fragile and lack a place to live and receive
in-patient and out-patient behavioral health treatment. “I was
grateful the Executive Committee could get an inside look at the
work underway to provide critical mental health care to our
communities in L.A. County”, Barger said.
CSAC Executive Committee meetings are held every other month and
serve to provide leadership forums and to make recommendations on
key policy issues.
