Steiner Proposes a New Focus on Social Programs

Seeking to help “the most vulnerable of our citizens,” the chairman of the Board of Supervisors urged county leaders Tuesday to increase funding for preventive health-care programs, social services and other community activities.

William G. Steiner’s proposal, made during his State of the County Address, does not rely on new taxes or fees but rather asks county departments to look inside their budgets and allocate more money to programs proven to prevent greater social ills.

The county bankruptcy, felt only faintly by most residents, hit the poor especially hard as the county closed health clinics, cut programs to prevent child abuse and slashed funding to mental health and drug education services.

With the bankruptcy over, “we can no more ignore the social fabric of the community,” Steiner said. “We need to encourage programs that help overcome problems . . . and support families.”

Health-care advocates said they were encouraged by Steiner’s comments and hoped for a shift in the county’s attitude about improving services for the poor.

“The cuts have been so draconian, and it’s been difficult convincing the county to look at preventive programs,” said Jean Forbath, head of the Orange County Health Care Council. “It’s not just the compassionate man’s way but the wise man’s way.”

Other supervisors expressed interest in the initiative but cautioned that the county’s finances remain tight.

“I think his goal is noble, but my question is, where does the money come from?” Supervisor Charles V. Smith said. “If there is money available, it would have to be done very judiciously. We just can’t throw money at these programs.”

Orange County is already poised to take a greater responsibility for social policy with the impending welfare reforms now being developed in Washington and Sacramento. Steiner said his ideas can be part of a larger reform effort that will likely provide counties with block grants to develop solutions for local welfare problems.

Preventive programs that could be considered for additional funding include parenting classes, law enforcement drug education programs and efforts by the Probation Department to crack down on juvenile offenders who commit multiple crimes, he said.

“We are looking for programs that have high returns on the investments,” said Steiner, former head of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation. “We spend $10 to remediate a problem compared to $1 on prevention. . . . For far too long, all levels of government have been devoting [resources] . . . to ‘damage control.’ ”

Steiner also suggested that the board hold a retreat to discuss pressing issues and that the county strive to create a more “family-friendly workplace” by developing employee benefits and programs such as more flexible work schedules “that would strengthen family life.”

Steiner also called on county government to discuss regional issues with officials from cities and school districts, perhaps by joining the Council of Governments group recently created by the League of California Cities.