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Date: |
September 15, 2026 |
05 |
Title
Authorize Certification Statement for California Children’s Services Program (Districts: All)
End
Overview
On May 24, 2022 (8), the Board of Supervisors authorized the certification statement for the California Children’s Services (CCS) program, reaffirming the County of San Diego’s (County) long-term commitment to helping children reach their full potential. This commitment is demonstrated by supporting programs that link eligible children to low or no-cost health care coverage, providing comprehensive case management and therapy services for low-income children with medically complex conditions. The CCS program receives funding from the California Department of Health Care Services Children’s Medical Services (CMS) and is administrated by the County through Public Health Services (PHS) Division of Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). CMS requires an annual budget submission process for the provision of services to the children of San Diego County, with certification by the Board. This certification process allows the County to receive reimbursements for services in the CCS program.
Today’s action requests the Board to authorize the annual approval and execution of the State’s Fiscal Year 2027-2028 CCS Certification Statement. Additionally, this action requests the approval and execution of the CCS Certification Statements for the subsequent four fiscal years through Fiscal Year 2031-2032.
This item supports the County’s vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically for historically underserved communities. It aligns with the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe and thriving communities by supporting essential programs and support services for at-risk children and families.
Body
Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
1) Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board, or designee, to execute, upon receipt, the Fiscal Year 2027-2028 through Fiscal Year 2031-2032 State California Children’s Services Certification Statements.
2) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to apply for any additional funding opportunity announcements, if available, to support programs and services that improve the health and well-being of children.
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Equity Impact Statement
Today’s actions advance equity and racial justice and support the County’s Framework for Our Future: Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis. Through a population health approach that uses data to identify communities with greater health needs and barriers to care, the program provides education and supportive services. These services include comprehensive medical case management and hands-on rehabilitation services focusing on mobility and independent living skills. The CCS program prioritizes medically complex children living in communities within the lowest healthy places index quartiles, where health disparities and barriers to care may be greater. In addition, through community partnerships and coalitions committed to addressing disparities, the program works to reduce barriers to care, address the impacts of racism, and advance health equity for children and families. Today’s action supports bringing greater transparency of California Children’s Services (CCS) related data and outcomes through a comprehensive set of routine data analysis products looking at equity related outcomes or disproportionality. Through CCS’ participation in workgroups led by the California Department of Health Care Services, input is taken from community stakeholder groups on data needs useful for populations they represent, which will be used to develop revised statewide metrics and standards for the program, as well as enrollment, demographics, and utilization dashboards. The Public Health Services CCS program within the County Health and Human Services Agency will continue to work closely with San Diego County providers to communicate and advance equity driven initiatives and outcomes, health education, and services.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today’s proposed action to authorize the annual approval and execution of the CCS Certification Statement contributes to many of the County of San Diego Sustainability Goals including engaging the community, providing just and equitable access, and protecting health and well-being. Certifying the program and allowing the County to accept State and Federal funding for administration of the CCS program ensures long term support for children with special health care needs. Extensive community engagement, involving families and the medical, education and social services sectors in the planning and implementation of services through meetings and Advisory Groups, is a core part of the CCS program and ensures the program meets local needs. The CCS program is instrumental in maintaining a cohesive holistic system that combines health, education and social services to address the comprehensive needs of children. Today’s action will ensure adequate funding mechanisms are in place to support ongoing services for medically complex children and their families.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed actions. However, failure to execute the proposed actions will result in forfeited costs and revenue of $24,504,715 in Fiscal Year 2027-28 and similar amounts through FY 2031-32 for California Children’s Services. The funding sources are the State General Fund, Federal Title XIX, Federal Title XXI and Health Realignment. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
N/A
Advisory Board Statement
The Health Services Advisory Board voted to approve this item at its August 4, 2026, meeting.
Background
California Children’s Services (CCS) is a long-standing program with operations dating back to the 1950’s in the County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services and is funded through the California Department of Health Care Services Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Branch. CMS requires an annual application process for the provision of services to the children of San Diego County with certification by the Clerk of the Board, or designee. Approval of the certification statements as part of the yearly application process allows the County to receive reimbursements for services in the CCS program. This certification statement certifies that the CCS program will comply with all State and federal law and regulations pertaining to these programs.
Fiscal Year 2027-28 Certification Statement for California Children’s Services Program
The CCS program is a statewide health care program with financial and medical eligibility requirements for children with certain physical limitations or chronic health conditions. Eligible children receive case management for medically eligible conditions, and CCS authorizes and pays for specific medical services and equipment provided by CCS approved specialists. CCS also operates a physical and occupational Medical Therapy Program in six schools and one satellite site countywide. The funding from the State CMS Branch from the CCS program will provide for the following activities throughout San Diego County in FY 2027-28:
• Managing CCS eligible medical services for 14,340 children with CCS eligible medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, heart disease, cancer, traumatic injuries, and infectious diseases producing major complications.
• Assisting 14,340 CCS families in navigating available services for children with physical disabilities and complex medical conditions.
• Providing direct rehabilitative services in collaboration with the public schools to 1,560 children with physical disabilities and complex, special health care needs.
• Expediting CCS eligibility determinations for hospitalized children at Rady Children’s Hospital, University of California San Diego, Sharp, and Kaiser Permanente hospitals through electronic review of medical records, training, and collaboration with community hospital staff.
• Collaborating with the California Department of Health Care Services to help redesign the State’s case management informatics system to improve efficiency and timeliness in processing provider service authorization requests to provide children with their needed services faster.
Today’s action, if approved, will authorize certification of the CCS program and will
allow Public Health Services to receive reimbursements to continue providing these services to
San Diego County. Today’s action will also authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to apply for funding opportunity announcements, if available, to support improving child health and well-being.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed actions support the Equity (Health) and Community (Quality of Life) initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan, as well as our commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by improving the health and well-being of children and families eligible for the California Children’s Services program.
Respectfully submitted,
Ebony N. Shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
Attachment A-Certification Statement