BUDGET AX CHOPS OFF HOUSING FOR ILL.Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff Writer A request for $1.4 million toward solving housing problems of the mentally ill, identified as a top priority for repairing the behavioral health Behavioral health was first used in the 1980's to name the combination of the fields mental health and substance abuse. As an example, an organization serving both mental health and substance abuse clients might refer to its practice as behavioral health or system, failed to make the cut for inclusion in a revised Ventura County budget that county supervisors will discuss today. The Behavioral Health Department's request for the money was scuttled from final budget recommendations by the county's interim chief administrative officer A chief administrative officer (CAO) is responsible for administrative management of private, public or governmental corporations. The CAO is one of the highest ranking members of an organization, managing daily operations and usually reporting directly to the chief executive , Bert Bigler, who advised that tobacco-settlement money be used for the first of five annual payments to erase a $15.3 million debt to the federal government. Supervisor John Flynn, however, hopes to persuade his colleagues to direct the finance committee to search for other money to fund a five-year housing plan. Flynn also plans to recommend that the board allocate $1 million each year for five years to develop housing for the mentally ill. ``We have to do this,'' Flynn said Monday. ``It's just a matter of where we get the money. If we can get this before the finance committee, we'll have them struggle with it.'' Flynn's suggestions were given unanimous support Monday by the Mental Health Board that acts as an advisory panel to the Behavioral Health Department. ``It is important to understand that housing is an important piece that has been missing,'' Mental Health Board member Susan Kelly Susan Kelly (born 15 February 1938 in Oklahoma) is an American model and actress. She is best known for being Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its May 1961 issue. Her centerfold was photographed by Frank Bez. said. ``It's a link that relates to other issues we have been facing. This issue is more than just housing. It is part of why our system of care has been so compromised.'' A lack of housing was one of the biggest criticisms made last summer by officials who issued a scathing audit, identifying huge flaws in the county's medical-care and social-services systems. Behavioral Health Director David Gudeman refused to comment on the housing issue before it is discussed by the supervisors. Adjusting the budget for the fiscal year that started in July, supervisors will consider a proposal to use $3 million in tobacco lawsuit lawsuit: see procedure; tort. settlement funds for the first of five annual payments toward a $15.3 million Medicare and MediCal debt. County officials agreed to that amount in a funding-dispute settlement with the U.S. Attorney's Office. In the settlement, county government also is required to sign a five-year agreement for training and auditing that will cost about $1 million annually. The county budget also is being revised to reflect an anticipated $4.1 million shortfall in Medicare reimbursements this fiscal year. The U.S. Health Care Financing Administration Health Care Financing Administration, n.pr department in the U.S. agency of Health and Human Services responsible for the oversight of the Medicaid and Medicare benefit programs, including guidelines, payment, and coverage policies. has declared 34 of the county's 43 clinics ineligible in·el·i·gi·ble adj. 1. Disqualified by law, rule, or provision: ineligible to run for office; ineligible for health benefits. 2. for higher-level Medicare reimbursement Reimbursement Payment made to someone for out-of-pocket expenses has incurred. because they are more than nine miles Nine Miles is a reggae "band" started by Yoshiaki Manabe (真鍋吉明) of The Pillows. The name Nine Miles comes from the name of the town in which Bob Marley grew up in Jamaica.
CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color) John Flynn Says housing is a must |
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