(a) (1) In order to provide improved delivery of services to the families of agricultural workers, the State Department of Health Services shall review and survey the extent to which agricultural workers and their families utilize those public health programs for which they are eligible. In conducting the survey, the department shall ensure the full participation of entities that provide services to agricultural workers, including clinics, community-based agencies, public health departments, and organizations and associations involved with agricultural worker health and well-being. Programs considered in the survey shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(A) The Medi-Cal program.
(B) The Healthy Families program.
(C) The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program (EPSDT).
(D) The Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP).
(E) Health clinics.
(F) Public health prevention programs.
(G) Immunization programs.
(H) Community mental health programs.
(I) Programs funded under the California Children and Families Program.
(J) Parenting programs.
(K) Teen pregnancy prevention and case management programs.
(L) Domestic violence and child abuse prevention programs.
(M) Any other relevant programs available in communities of agricultural workers.
(2) The department shall use the results of the survey to prepare an implementation plan that maximizes access and streamlines service delivery, in order to make comprehensive family wellness programs readily available to agricultural workers and their families. In developing the implementation plan, the department shall ensure the full participation of entities contributing to the survey of available services. The implementation plan shall be based on the principles set forth in subdivision (g) of Section 50517.5, including all of the following:
(A) Involvement of agricultural workers and their families in program design and delivery.
(B) Community collaboration on the local level among available public and private agencies.
(C) Coordination with the provision of adequate housing.
(b) (1) The survey shall address the extent to which outreach programs are directed to, and succeed in, reaching agricultural workers and their families, and shall identify any geographical, cultural, linguistic, or other barriers that may prevent full utilization of available services.
(2) The survey shall place significant emphasis on actual experiences of agricultural workers and their families.
(c) The department shall report the results of the survey required by this section to the Legislature on or before March 1, 2001, and shall present the Legislature with the implementation plan required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) on or before December 31, 2001.
(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 312, Sec. 1. Effective September 7, 2000.)