Title
Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services and the Director of the Department of Health to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with each of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and George L. Mee Memorial Hospital, for a term effective on date of signing by all parties and terminable based on thirty (30) days’ notice, to ensure compliance with Penal Code Section 11165.13 and Health and Safety Code Sections 1255.7 regarding substance-exposed infants and Safely Surrendered Infants.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services and the Director of the Department of Health to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with each of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and George L. Mee Memorial Hospital, for a term effective on date of signing by all parties and terminable based on thirty (30) days’ notice, to ensure compliance with Penal Code Section 11165.13 and Health and Safety Code Sections 1255.7 regarding substance-exposed infants and Safely Surrendered Infants.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Department of Social Services, through its Family and Children’s Services branch, provides child protective services on behalf of children who have been victims or are at high risk of abuse, neglect, abandonment or exploitation. This Memorandum of Understanding establishes a working relationship between the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Natividad Medical Center, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and George L. Mee Memorial Hospital. The MOU also establishes procedures relative to compliance with Penal Code Section 11165.13 and Health and Safety Code Sections 1255.7 regarding substance-exposed infants and Safely Surrendered Infants. Collaboration between the agencies will enable development of interagency treatment strategies to ensure maximum coordination with existing community resources, avoid duplication of efforts, and provide joint maximum support and assistance to patients/clients by formalizing a multi-disciplinary effort.
Natividad Medical Center, as a County department, is an ongoing participant in this multi-disciplinary effort and has signed the interagency MOU.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has approved these Memorandums of Understanding (MOUS’s) as to form.
FINANCING:
These no-cost MOU’s have no impact on the County General Fund contributions.
Prepared by: Karen Clampitt, MA II, x8596
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and Mee Memorial Hospital M.O.U.s
Proposed Mou’s are on file with Clerk of the Board as attachments to this Board Report