• Rona McFadden, HOPICS staff member, was introduced at the providers meeting as the new Services Coordinator.
  

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• Better communications between CASC, CALWORKs, DCFS & GAIN are needed. This would then improve on better linkages and better quality control for the departments. We will all try to improve communications, collaboration and coordination. Please let CASC staff know how we can help in this area. We are here to help you!

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• It was suggested DPSS submit an organizational chart that outlines departments and roles and responsibilities of offices CASC must work with in SPA 6. This has not been done in quite some time and a lot has changed.
  

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• Some of the providers at the meeting made reference they still have issues regarding getting referrals from CALWORKs/GAIN. It was suggested by the GSWs present that they would welcome further education about Substance Abuse Treatment. The lack of knowledge may be the reason some providers are not receiving as many referrals as they could be getting. CASC will work on setting this up in the next 30 days.
  

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• CASC says treatment and community providers need to work on documentation and review of information being reported to ADPA and DPSS. It is important SPA 6 providers pay close attention to their internal data and record systems used for reporting. We need to have high rates this year for engaging clients, getting them into treatment and clients staying in treatment longer.                                                            

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• DPSS said they would like more bilingual advocates co-located at their facilities. It was suggested that there be at least two (2) advocates co-located at DPSS. Then if one person has stepped out of the office, the other advocate is there to fill in.

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• Pauline Lopez announced that ADPA will be holding quarterly Substance Abuse and CALWORKs meetings and they will most likely coincide with CASC Area meetings. More information to follow. 

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• The next quarterly meeting will be Monday, Aug 27 at 9am in Alhambra at the Dept. of Public Works building. Any assessors dealing with CALWORKs should be at this quarterly meeting. Call CASC for more information or go to County website.

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• Pauline is working with CALWORKs to get clarification on what type of outreach plan they have in mind for CASC. Kathy Harvey is following up with Pauline regarding the matter and we will report back in 30 days.
  

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• DPSS would like to have CASC staff co-located at the Florence office located at 1740 E. Gage Ave. CASC will follow up on this and report back in 30 days.
  

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• Due to an estimated decrease in Prop. 36 funding, focus on General Relief (GR) clients should increase to help supplement the shortfall. CASC cautions agencies to use this as a sole strategy. Greg Senegal reported that Prop 36 funds are being reduced by approximately $60M* (see below). We should talk to the County and State about what they will do about Prop 36 cuts. More to come on this. Stay ready.

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• CASC report informs providers of client status at community treatment facilities. In order to increase client referrals, providers must do more in the way of outreach within the community.
  

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• Gain workers would like to have an orientation package of some kind explaining Prop 36.
  

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• Greg Senegal reported that Probation and a representative from the Drug Courts who will be attending the Provider Meetings. There was no date mentioned.

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• There were no updates from DPSS.
• There were no Assessor concerns.
• There were no questions, comments, or concerns brought to the table by those in attendance.

 The next Providers Meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007

*Budget Note:  www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/GovernorsBudget/4000/4200.pdf