Linking Continuity of Care: Probation Department and Public Health Clinics

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

​The Department of Public Health Clinic Operations Sections (Clinic Ops) mission is to protect health, prevent disease, and promote health and well-being for all residents of San Bernardino County. Under the California Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011 Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109), collaboration between San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Clinic Ops and the San Bernardino County Probation Department (Probation) was developed to provide comprehensive health care services (and other wrap around services) for recently released non-violent, non-serious, and non-sex offenders, who after they are released from California State prison, are to be supervised at the local County level and are required to report to a Day Reporting Center (DRC). This collaboration allows individuals to continue with any medical care or treatments received while in custody. A Health Education Specialist (HES) is out stationed one day a week, at each of the three DRC locations within San Bernardino County to provide individual and group education, as well as information on services and linkage to care to the County’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Requests for medical appointments from the DRC are given high priority to ensure there is no interruption in care, treatment or medication adherence.