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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2005

For More Information, Contact:
Hema Sareen Mohan at (650) 688-6384

GOVERNOR SIGNS SIMITIAN BILL ALLOWING SAN MATEO COUNTY TO SERVE EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED YOUNG PEOPLE

SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed SB 679, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), a bill to allow San Mateo County to operate group homes for emotionally disturbed young people who require out-of-home care. 

SB 679 will allow San Mateo County to care for hard-to-place youth in local facilities instead of placing them far from their homes or out of the state.  Under current law, only private, non-profit providers are allowed to operate group homes and receive Department of Social Services foster care funding.  The result has been a shortage of services for particularly needy young people. 

“SB 679 is all about keeping kids close to their families and their communities so they have the support they need,” said Simitian. “It ensures that San Mateo County can continue to be part of the solution.”

San Mateo County has been operating a county-run facility at Canyon Oaks to serve the most severely disturbed children.  Initial findings show that Canyon Oaks has reduced the amount of time that young people remain in out-of-home care, and has allowed multiple agencies to work together to meet young people’s needs. 

“I am very pleased with the passage of SB 679, which is the culmination of over three years of work to provide high-level, residential, mental health services for San Mateo County’s youth,” said Jerry Hill, a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.  “Senator Simitian’s efforts will enable San Mateo County to retain critical mental health services in our community where they are needed.”

To learn more about SB 679, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov .

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