BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 174
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 174 (Bonta)
As Amended September 3, 2013
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |52-24|(May 29, 2013) |SENATE: |29-10|(September 9, |
| | | | | |2013) |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to
establish a pilot program in Alameda County, to the extent that
funding is made available, to provide grants to eligible applicants
for activities and services that directly address the mental health
and related needs of students impacted by trauma.
The Senate amendments delete the local mandate and clarify that
Alameda County has the authority to decide the extent to which it
will participate in the pilot program. Clarify that funding is
limited to non-state funds only and that DPH may work with private
entities to facilitate the granting of funds to grantees in the
pilot program.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee,
unknown costs to provide grants (federal funds or private funds).
This bill specifies that the program would be limited to a one-year
pilot project in Alameda County at up to 10 facilities. However,
this bill does not specify the total amount of funding or the
potential fund source. Unknown costs to administer the program
(federal funds or private funds). Typically, the cost to administer
a grant program is about 5% of total grant spending.
COMMENTS : The author states that it is well documented that
appropriate mental health services can have a positive and lasting
impact on short- and long-term outcomes for children and adolescents
impacted by trauma. However, the author notes that many children
and youth in California lack access to the health and mental health
services they need and California's 200 school health centers (SHCs)
address this gap by putting medical, mental health, and/or dental
care on school grounds.
Approximately 75% of SHCs have mental health providers on staff to
offer mental health assessments, crisis intervention, brief and
AB 174
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long-term therapy, and other services. The National Assembly on
School-Based Care (NASBC) states that Congress recognized the
importance of SHCs as a key link in the nation's health care safety
net by providing $50 million a year for four years in one-time
funding for construction, renovation, and equipment for SHCs in the
federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and more
than 350 applicants from around the nation are seeking funding
through the first round of competitive grants created under the ACA.
According to the California School Health Centers Association
(CSHCA) there are currently 200 SHCs in California. Forty-four
percent of SHCs are in high schools; 31% are in elementary schools;
13% are in middle schools; and, 12% are "school-linked" or are
mobile medical vans. CSHCA points out that many SHCs are located in
schools serving some of the state's most vulnerable children and on
campuses with SHCs about 70% of students receive free or reduced
price meals.
Analysis Prepared by : Lara Flynn / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097
FN: 0002309