February 3, 2005

Jim Beall delivers positive ‘State of the County’ address

Santa Clara County is in good shape, announced Supervisor Jim Beall, who delivered the State of County address on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Good shape, despite a decreased budget but with the possibility of an improved economy this year.

He thanked the supervisors and all county employees. “The state of our county is vibrant and strong.  This is clear because we are out on the front lines, doing real work, getting things done. Thanks to the public workers of Santa Clara County—the deputies, the nurses, the social workers and park rangers—we have been doing more with less. Thank you for working so hard.

James T. Beall

The board of supervisors, he said, “have initiated health insurance programs for children and implemented juvenile detention reform. We established an Office of Affordable Housing. We have kept our fiscal ship afloat and clung to essential services, as the state and federal government keep withdrawing from their responsibilities.

“We maintain a health and hospital system that will be providing comprehensive health care for 200,000 county residents this year. Our hospitals and clinics welcome all residents with open arms regardless of their ability to pay. We take responsibility and seek additional funds for a Public Health Department capable of protecting us all.”

The county budget, he added, mirrors the board’s values and priorities. He said the board will put together another balanced budget this fiscal year “…using innovative budget solutions to alleviate the impact of a projected $111 million deficit on essential services.”

Over the past three years, the board of supervisors reduced the county budget by $273 million. Because there are some signs of an economic recovery, Beall hopes the trend will continue for the county’s citizens and for the county’s economy.

Looking back to his youth, Beall remembered hiking up Mount Umunum and gazing down at the valley, which back then was covered with fruit trees. That valley has changed, but the people who live there want the same basic things.

Beall asked those attending to “provide hope and alternatives for people, and their families, in their desperate time of need.  Our good work must continue to save human lives.”

Challenges
“Today, over 130,000 county residents are subsisting in financial despair—living below the federal poverty line. Just imagine, living in poverty, with $19,350 or less per year for a family of four.”

He announced that more than 400,000 county residents will suffer from “food insecurity” in 2006. The county, he said, must respond to these people who at some time won’t know how or where to get their next meal.

The county also has many other challenges. Drug and alcohol addiction is the number one health crisis of our time. “Over 65 percent of the costs in our criminal justice and child welfare system are caused by substance abuse.”

County experts estimate eight percent of the population has some sort of mental health impairment. Many have more severe issues that need care. A recent survey of the homeless population identifies this county as the homeless capital of Northern California. The issues of mental health, substance addiction and homelessness are related.

“The excellent work of our mental health department and treatment programs help people find their way. And we are working hard to prioritize their most essential and immediate need—decent housing.”

Another county challenge is the overcrowding in jails. As of Jan. 25, there were 4,500 men and women were in custody. The majority of these inmates need help with substance abuse, mental health and anger management, he said. Beall wants to introduce hope, alternatives and “show these non-violent offenders a way home.”

Although not necessarily affecting the county’s elected officials, poor ethical choices by government officials have been in the news quite frequently. Beall called for the county to establish an Ethics Task Force of Board members and to “move forward with a stronger ethics and lobbying ordinance this year.”

Children’s health
One of the greatest achievements in Santa Clara County is the Children’s Health Initiative, he said. In five years, more than 100,000 uninsured children have been signed up with some form of health insurance coverage. The county has made history by being the first in the nation to guarantee children access to good health care by finding them health insurance.

Because of this, Beall said, it’s time to move forward to help qualify all the uninsured residents of this county. He asked community and business leaders, health care experts and every stakeholder to once again come together in a public-private partnership to make this happen.

“We have done it for over 100,000 children. It is time we initiate the process of finding health insurance for the 200,000 uninsured adults in this county.”

He sees the foster youth of Santa Clara County as another large crisis. “The foster care system must be dismantled and rebuilt. These kids are traumatized when young and society traumatizes them again when they turn 18. We have been hearing from our older foster youth. We need to listen. Instead of finding a job, looking forward to college or making future plans, many are forced to search for the next couch to sleep on or for a mattress in a homeless shelter.”

Meanwhile, he suggests the county “empower these young adults as they transition out of the foster care system. We must champion their issues, keep listening to them, and help them find jobs and educational opportunities. “

Overcoming obstacles
A few of these young people have overcome tough obstacles.  Let us take a moment and acknowledge what success looks like, he said, then honored four former foster care children who currently work for the county: Fabiola Garcia, Lonzo Johnson, Pele Mallory and Virginia Rivera. 

“We recognize you tonight for being strong leaders in our workforce despite the obstacles you have faced. You inspire us. We want to celebrate your success downstairs this evening. You are shining examples of how we can all succeed together,” Beall said in tribute to the four employees.

The board of supervisors will convene a Work Group to address the employment needs of emancipating foster youth in the county. Community partners include the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Working Partnership USA, the Silicon Valley Children’s Fund, the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley and the Santa Clara County Foster Parent Association. The county hopes to prepare foster youth for the work force and find them jobs.

The county also is committed to the environment. Beall emphasized that the county must protect nature and open space. He suggested adopting a comprehensive Viewshed Protection Policy by this summer to protect hillsides and ridge tops from development allowing all the county’s scenic vistas to stay open for all to enjoy. 

The board of supervisors has placed the “Parks Charter Renewal” on the ballot in June. Beall said renewal of the Parks Charter is critical to the future of the County Parks system. Besides, providing a small portion of the budget to protecting our environment, it offers resources for additional land acquisition and ongoing land maintenance.