SECTIONS 17500-17501 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 17500-17501

17500. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter
to encourage certain counties to provide preventative support
services to unemployed and displaced workers for the following
purposes:
(a) To enable unemployed workers and their families to maintain
stability in their lives.
(b) To bring together the resources and skills of the public and
private sector to aid unemployed workers and their families.
(c) To help prevent the emotional crisis often resulting from
unemployment from leading to more serious and disabling health and
mental health problems, including homelessness and suicide.
(d) To help unemployed workers and their families avoid dependency
upon public assistance programs.
(e) To encourage a cooperative effort between the Employment
Development Department and other local public and private services in
providing supportive services to unemployed workers and their
families.
(f) The services provided pursuant to this chapter are to be
carried out through coordination with the service delivery area, as
designated pursuant to Section 15005 of the Unemployment Insurance
Code, and shall be consistent with the appropriate service delivery
area plan and employment and training plan for displaced workers, as
described in Sections 15043 and 15076, respectively, of the
Unemployment Insurance Code.

17501. (a) A county may, upon the affirmative vote of the board of
supervisors, elect to contract with a contracting agency for services
which provide counseling and referral and resource information
services that conform to the purposes listed in Section 17500.
(b) The services provided under contract may include:
(1) Telephone crisis counseling.
(2) Development and publication of resource guides.
(3) Direct supportive counseling.
(c) The services provided under contract may not include direct
financial assistance to clients.
(d) The direct services provided under contract shall be delivered
at or near the local Employment Development Department offices or
other related public service sites.
(e) The contractor shall be encouraged to use volunteer resources
in service delivery to the maximum extent possible.