The CSAC Bulletin: December 22, 2016

The CSAC Bulletin for December 22, 2016

View this email in your browser

December 22, 2016

In this Issue

Top Headlines
CalPERS Board Approves Lowering Assumed Rate of Return
Treasurer Convenes Cannabis Banking Working Group

Policy Reports
CSAC Comments on State Water Conservation Plan
UC Berkeley Reports Examine ACA Impacts, Consequences of Repeal
Homebuilding Remains at Historically Low Levels
Health and Human Services News Briefs
Transitional Housing Grants Available
Video Highlights County Role in California’s Mental Health Movement
SGC Extends Small Planning Grant Deadline
NACo: Pledge to Act on Opioid Epidemic

CSAC News
Give Yourself the Gift of Knowledge through the CSAC Institute
From Our Blog: Reflecting on 2016, and a Look Ahead
Share Your Story of Youth Civic Engagement

Job Openings

CalPERS Board Approves Lowering Assumed Rate of Return

In an overall effort to strengthen the long-term sustainability of what is the largest public employees retirement system in the country, the CalPERS Board of Administration approved a recommendation to gradually lower the “discount rate” during its December 21 meeting. Counties will recall that the discount rate is the percentage of expected returns on investments made by CalPERS. A lower discount rate means that employers, including counties, will be contributing more to the retirement fund over the next three years.
Read more

Treasurer Convenes Cannabis Banking Working Group

The Cannabis Banking Working Group met for the first time this week, convened by California Treasurer John Chiang. The group includes representatives from local government, law enforcement, regulators, banks, taxing authorities, and the cannabis industry. The focus is on addressing the conflict between state and federal laws that limit the industry’s ability to participate in traditional banking and commerce services. CSAC Executive Director Matt Cate participated in the meeting.
Read more

CSAC Comments on State Water Conservation Plan

CSAC offered comments this week on the state’s draft plan for achieving long-term efficient water use and meeting drought preparedness goals. The plan is part of California water agencies’ efforts to implement Governor Brown’s Executive Order B-37-16 aimed at making existing water conservation requirements more permanent.
Read more

Homebuilding Remains at Historically Low Level

California added only 67,110 housing units in 2015 according to estimates from the Department of Finance and a new analysis from CSAC (interactive chart available online). While that number is nearly double the amount added during the depths of the housing bust in 2010 and 2011, it is still well below the number of units built every year before that for which estimates exist.
Read more

UC Berkeley Reports Examine ACA Impact, Consequences of Repeal

The UC Berkeley Labor Center has released two briefs that help illuminate the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on California and its counties. The first brief examines the data on Medi-Cal enrollment through the ACA, as well as how many Californians receive subsidized health care coverage through Covered California. The brief includes a county-by-county breakdown of both populations, as well as the number of uninsured residents by county.
Read more

Health and Human Services News Briefs

CSAC Jail Medical Webpage Now Live

CSAC Supports Continued Commitment to Coordinated Care Initiative

Transitional Housing Grants Available

The Department of Finance has released a set of Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Based Transitional Housing grant program. The program has $25 million in grants available to encourage local communities to support housing that provides treatment and reentry programming. While the Program is focused on the recently incarcerated, cities and counties may apply for funds to serve other populations that they believe will benefit from the Program’s services.
Read more

Video Highlights County Role in California’s Mental Health Movement

Counties have led the efforts in prevention and early intervention programs that change attitudes and behaviors towards mental illness and mental health since 2011 through an innovative Joint Powers Authority, the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA).

CalMHSA, by pooling county Mental Health Services Act funding, has created an award-winning statewide social marketing campaign, Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement. The campaign was developed to raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and prevent suicide. Innovative programs include the Know the Signs media effort, the Walk In Our Shoes anti-stigma campaign, and Directing Change.

Learn more about CalMHSA’s programs by watching this video.
Read more

SGC Extends Small Planning Grant Deadline

The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) in partnership with the Office of Planning and Research announced the release of the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives Program (SCPGIP): Best Practices Pilot, Guidelines and Application. SCPGIP funding in the amount of $250,000 will be available for applicants to apply for up to $50,000.
Read more

NACo: Pledge to Act on Opioid Epidemic

Every day, overdoses and deaths from prescription opioids and heroin devastate communities across the country. This health crisis calls for effective solutions at the local level, and strong partnerships with state and federal officials. The National League of Cities and National Association of Counties are calling on you to commit to opioid action through local leadership. Read our Prescription for Action and pledge to stop the spread of the opioid epidemic.
Read more

Give Yourself the Gift of Knowledge through the CSAC Institute

While you’re getting ready for the holidays, don’t forget to give yourself the life-long gift of knowledge. 2017 kicks off with a variety of our most popular classes from using social media, managing conflict and understanding local governance in California – to financing counties and an emerging issues discussion on the sharing economy. Check out the classes and register today before you head out for the holidays!
Read more

From Our Blog: Reflecting on 2016, and a Look Ahead

By Matt Cate:
As 2016 comes to a close, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful, important work with the CSAC staff and the County Supervisors, Administrators and other leaders at the state and federal level. I count myself very lucky to consider you a group of friends as well as colleagues. That’s especially important because, often, our work involves complex issues. So while I pause to enjoy the traditions of this season with friends and loved ones, I do so knowing that we accomplished a lot in 2016.
Read more

Share Your Story of Youth Civic Engagement!

The Institute for Local Government (ILG), a CSAC-sponsored organization, is looking for examples of how municipal agencies and schools are engaging youth in local government. Through its Government Engaging Youth program (GEY), the ILG is raising local leaders’ awareness of the importance of youth civic engagement as well as identifying and spotlighting current municipal efforts in California. ILG offers technical assistance to support the growing interest and ability of municipal governments to authentically engage the next generation of active citizens and future public service workers.
Read more

Job Openings

Click here to see the latest county and local government job postings.