Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves expansion of county homeless health program at youth center; asks for pediatric coordination
Summary
The Board approved a change of scope to add pediatric evaluation and advocacy services at a youth center suite and accepted quarterly quality metrics for the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on April 22 approved a change of scope request and accepted quarterly quality metrics for the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program (VHHP), including a new pediatric-focused suite at a youth center for evaluation and advocacy.
What was approved: staff asked to add a suite at the youth center to house an expanded pediatric developmental specialty clinic (the board approved the change and the accompanying performance metrics by unanimous vote). The program also presented quarterly quality-improvement metrics on colorectal cancer screening, diabetes management and depression screening among its patient population.
Why it matters: the expansion brings pediatric developmental assessment capacity into a site that serves homeless youth and families, addressing local gaps in timely assessment and referral. Board members asked how VHHP is coordinating with school districts, school wellness centers and Parents Helping Parents to ensure warm handoffs for students and to reduce assessment wait times.
Board concerns and staff responses: Vice President Sylvia Arenas and other supervisors pressed staff on whether the mobile unit includes pediatric providers and on how referrals are coordinated with school-based services and county Office of Education partners. VHHP staff said family-practice providers are used at family shelter visits and the organization works with community partners to accelerate paperwork and connect families to fixed clinics; additional family-practice or LCSW hires were under way to increase assessment capacity.
Action and vote: the board voted unanimously to approve the change in scope and accept the quarterly report (motion carried 5-0). Supervisors requested follow-up on coordination with school districts, interim services while families wait for assessments and overall metrics presented as counts (in addition to percentages) for the next reporting cycle.
Ending: board members thanked VHHP staff for expanding integrated services for youth and families and asked administration to return with additional details on school and shelter coordination and numerical patient counts behind the reported percentages.
