Many of these proposals requires contributions from other sectors and institutions. I have incorporated funding to start a crisis triage center to assist the police and others to deal with people with mental illness who are in crisis. Other partners will have to come forward to make this important service a reality. All these functions require matching funds from others. I have also proposed a challenge grant to the business community to augment school and county funds to add alternative school services to meet the needs of our young people.
Few efforts have more benefits than reducing teen pregnancy and child abuse.
In this budget, I have funded the Health Department request to expand the Postponing Sexual Involvement program to 15 schools in the county. This program focuses on teaching refusal skills to middle school students. Success in these areas will prevent many future problems. I have added funding for a District Attorney to the Child Abuse Team. Health services are going through radical transformations as we move to a managed care system.