The adoption of AB 210 mandates counties to create structured protocols to govern the sharing of information among team members. This amendment to the Welfare and Institutions Code, particularly through the establishment of Chapter 18, seeks to improve the monthly interaction between various service providers who work with homeless individuals, enabling a more coordinated response that meets their complex needs. Each county must develop clear protocols that align with these goals, along with providing a copy of those protocols to the State Department of Social Services.
Summary
Assembly Bill 210, introduced by Santiago, focuses on the establishment of a Homeless Adult and Family Multidisciplinary Personnel Team within counties to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This bill aims to facilitate the expedited identification, assessment, and linkage of these homeless individuals to housing and various supportive services available within each county. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of allowing provider agencies to share confidential information necessary for coordinating effective services while ensuring continuity of care.
Sentiment
The general sentiment around AB 210 appears to be supportive among those in social services, mental health, and legal provisions for the homeless community. Stakeholders view the multidisciplinary approach as a significant advancement in the fight against homelessness, focusing on collaboration. However, there are concerns regarding the privacy and confidentiality of the shared information, which indicates a need for careful implementation to balance the necessity of comprehensive care against individuals' rights.
Contention
Key points of contention include the responsibility of safeguarding shared data, outlined through stringent confidentiality provisions. The bill establishes that all team members must adhere to the same privacy standards and penalties as the persons providing the information. Disputes may arise over how effectively such privacy measures can be enforced in practice, particularly given the varied capacities and resources of counties. The dialogue around this bill emphasizes the ongoing challenges related to homelessness and the need for a nuanced and sensitive handling of personal information in service provision.