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Health Department status update on state reductions.
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The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center was notified that significant State grant reductions effective July 1, 2011 would affect Behavioral Health Services and Population Health Services. The grant reductions resulted in the reduction of workforce of 34 employees primarily in the following areas:
• Behavioral Health Services - Grants were reduced by $1.3 million in the mental health and substance abuse programs. This is the fourth year in a row that state funding has been reduced for Behavioral Health. Funding for the uninsured clients was reduced dramatically and we are already seeing an increase in the acuity and severity of patients seeking our help. In addition, the Governor announced the impending closure of Elgin and Chester State Mental Health Hospitals. If that happens, ER usage will surge due to clients needing emergency hospitalization. Meetings have been occurring between probation, courts, and the jail since the decreased services have an impact on the County justice system. Social service agencies and the PADS program in Lake County report similar concerns.
• Population Health Services - Grants were reduced by approximately $700,000. The reductions occurred in prevention activities for Teen Parent Services, in the Emergency Management program, and in Family Case Management. The Family Case Management program works with medically indigent women and their infant children.