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B.E.S.T
Transition
Team
SANTA
CRUZ COUNTY
Minutes
from June 2001 Meeting
North
County Mental Health 1400 Emeline Bldg.K, Rm. 207&307
Next Meeting : 3-5 p.m. July 24h
,2001
We are a diverse group working
to advocate for improved quality of life for transitional age youth who may be
vulnerable to negative impacts on their physical and mental well being. This
group consists of transitional age (16-25) youth, family and community members,
public agencies, and community based organizations and businesses. We
collaborate to increase choices and access to healthcare, housing, life skills,
and social development leading to successful employment.
Speaker from June 26th
Bob Goldstein Public Guardian
This month we had an open discussion with a
Public Guardian on issues concerning Conservatorships, and how the system is set
up from someone who works within it.They receive referrals from APS, SCMH, SCCJ,
Dominican MH, Vets Admin. in Palo Alto and Menlo Park, and the Superior Court of
Santa Cruz. If a private individual calls they are referred to APS. They work
with individuals who have had their case heard by a Judge who has ruled a
Conservatorship necessary. It can be for a person and/or for an estate. There
are 2 types of Conservatorships: an LPS and a Probate. LPS is for those who have
mental illness, and are unable to provide food, clothing and or shelter for
themselves. This referral is usually from a mental hospital or jail. The Probate
form is usually from those who cannot take care of their needs for other
reasons. A recommendation for Conservatorship starts with a doctor completing a
Declaration Regarding Capacity of the individual in question. It states what
rights would be taken away and why. The person always has the right to
have an attorney present. If the individual does not want to be conserved, there
will be a court hearing before a judge and/or jury, to determine their fate. If
a Public Guardian is appointed conservator, then they will be having important
decisions made for them by that person, or in the case of an estate, for
that estate. The Public Guardian is then responsible to the Superior Court
for that conserved individual’s needs, such as: medical/psychiatric care,
food, clothing, shelter. The PG may also become the Representative Payee for
those who are receiving SSI or Social Security benefits. If a Public Guardian is
acting as a Rep. Payee and not as a Conservator, they may only receive income
and pay bills for the individual. No other rights are removed. It is the law
that all Public Guardian cases are completely confidential and no details of
cases, such as whether an individual/estate is conserved may be disclosed. This
includes parties the conserved have asked their PG to speak with on their behalf.
Announcements from June 26th
Patty is going to the MH Board on
Monday July 2nd. She is on the agenda at 4:45, and will have 15
minutes to introduce us, and announce/invite the Board to our upcoming Panel
on Heroin, and to future meetings.
The Heroin Panel is confirmed for
the 24 of July. We will have Officer Eric Seiley and Sargent Escalenta,
Heather from the Homeless Needle Exchange, Linda from HPHP, staff from Tyler
House, and other guest speakers. We have reserved room 208 to accommodate more
people. Please encourage your staff to attend, or invite others who will
benefit from this information. Contact Celia or Patty at 425-8132/ email celia@communityconnectionsantcruz.com
for additional information.
Victoria announced a Youth
Conference at UCSC on the 6th, 7th, 8th of
July, “Transition into Adulthood”, Fostercare and aftercare. Contact her
for more information.The HWP Clubhouse is having a Family Partnership Retreat
from 9a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday July 7th with a free lunch and child
care/swimming for kids.
Redwoods will be making a change in
its facility. It is turning into STAR; a 3 month Drug and Alcohol Assessment
Program. There will be a BBQ on Sunday July 15th at 2:oo p.m for
families with children in Juvenile Hall.
There are two houses operating
currently in Santa Cruz County for Transitional Youth. The Phase I house for
17/18 yr. olds has Foster Care funds, is empty, and at last has a proctor in
house. The Phase II house (Aftercare, meaning 19+) had an article in The
Sentinel, has a proctor also, and is working really well.
Thank you,
Celia V. Beatts, BEST Tech Santa
Cruz
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