Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Agency rename the Senior Services Program to Older Adult Services Program; and
2) Approve and authorize the Agency to rename the Alcohol and Drug Program to be Substance Use Disorder Services.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board approve and authorize the renaming of the Senior Services program to Older Adult Services program, and the Alcohol and Drug program to Substance Use Disorder Services program.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On July 17, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved, in concept, changing the name of the Senior Services program to Older Adults Services program (File ID: 18-0622; Agenda No. 29). Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) working with the national nonprofit group Frameworks Institute, who develops and conducts communication research to identify the most effective ways of reframing social and scientific topics, learned through a day long workshop that “reframing” conversations, media, and approach to work can have a positive impact. Reframing language can positively impact stereotypes, the public’s view of older adults, and ultimately increase public support for policies and practices that would improve the lives of older adults.
As an example, per Julie Sweetland of FrameWorks, “certain words like ‘senior citizen’ and ‘elderly’ are often associated with frailty, a lack of competence and an inability to do for one's self.” In support of Healthy Communities and as part of the Health and Human Services Agency’s Adult System of Care model, we have a vested interest in working to change the dialogue in our community for proactive changes in support of older adults.
In addition, at this time HHSA is recommending the Board approve changing the name of the Alcohol and Drug program to the Substance Use Disorder program. Historically, there were two primary terms used to identify professionals and programs in this field. Alcohol & Other Drugs or AOD, often referred to the service providers as they were coined “AOD counselors.” The second, Alcohol & Drug Programs often referred to private, county, and state agencies. Over recent years the substance use field has adapted to meet changing needs and evidence that the use of substances is a “chronic, relapsing brain disease.” The older categories of substance “abuse” and “dependence”, two terms with negative connotations, have been replaced with a single classification of “substance use disorder.” Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is much more clinically accurate term to describe the grouping of impairments caused by repeated misuse of a substance. The State of California and the Federal Government Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have already adopted the use of term Substance Use Disorder.
Just as the words abuse and dependence have been removed from discipline verbiage, so too has the terms AOD and Alcohol & Drug Programs. As these terms are no longer appropriate to describe the services we provide it is important that HHSA adopts appropriate verbiage as well as align the county language with the language of our state and federal government.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to authorize renaming either the Senior Services program or the Alcohol and Drug program, in which case the program name(s) would remain unchanged.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this Board item.
In the case of Senior Services, the fiscal year 2018-19 budget includes $5,000 for replacement of signage, in the hope that the Board would support the request to change the name of the program. Other miscellaneous materials (brochures, table displays, etc.) would be replaced through attrition as supplies are replaced in the normal course of business.
In the case of Alcohol and Drug Program, the program resides within the Behavioral Health building, so there is no external signage to replace. Other miscellaneous materials (brochures, table displays, etc.) would be replaced through attrition as supplies are replaced in the normal course of business.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to provide a Certified Minute Order to the Health and Human Services Agency Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Placerville CA.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
1) County Strategic Plan - Healthy Communities “Improved health, well-being and self sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents and visitors.”
2) Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Goal 5 - “Service Integration: To develop and implement a continuum of care model for individuals, families and community partners that integrates access, assessment, referral and efficient delivery of programs and services.”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., M.P.A., Director