1. 2013
T E H A M A C O U N T Y R E P O RT C A R D

2. WHAT IS THE TEHAMA COUNTY HEALTH PARTERSHIP?
The Tehama County Health Partnership (TCHP) is a community coalition dedicated to improving the health and well
being of Tehama County residents. Our vision is to develop a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the broader deter-
minants of population health; thus redefining the concept of health to include not only physical and mental health but also
education, economy, safety, housing, transportation, recreation and other aspects that influence our quality of life.
In 1996, the TCHP was formally established with funding from The California Wellness Foundation Health Improvement
Initiative. This funding allowed the TCHP to expand and broaden its role in the community from its genesis as an informal
subcommittee of the Tehama County Board of Supervisor’s appointed Interagency Coordinating Council. Sustained by com-
munity agencies and businesses since 2001, the TCHP members continue to work with others to monitor, evaluate and work
to help improve the public’s health and quality of life.
Residents, public and private institutions and community organizations and associations all share the responsibility of
protecting, promoting and improving the community’s health. The TCHP provides for greater community level participation;
it operates upon the ideal of open, voting membership for anyone in the community who regularly participates. Member
developed Bylaws, policies and procedures ensure fair and equal participation by all while monthly meetings rotating be-
tween Corning and Red Bluff provide more opportunities for participation. The TCHP’s subcommittees focus areas include
early childhood issues, education, youth resilience, prevention of youth substance abuse, education, housing, oral health,
senior issues, community health assessments and the homeless. We seek solutions and develop strategies that are grounded
in community assets, culture, values and wisdom as well as scientific knowledge.
Our community’s health is impacted by individual, social, environmental and economic factors within and beyond our
community that must be viewed comprehensively. The TCHP membership sees the interconnectedness of life, the absolute
necessity to raise centered, whole, caring and asset-rich human beings. We are a community coalition that cares about our
community’s future and is dedicated to making Tehama County a healthy, high quality place to live and enjoy life.

3. HEALTHY LIVING
Welcome ............................................ 2
Demographics.................................... 2
Environment....................................... 3
Recreation/Fitness.............................. 6
Access to Health ................................. 8
Senior Health ................................... 10
Maternal Health................................ 11
Immunization................................... 15
Oral Health....................................... 16
Mental Health................................... 18
Alcohol & Drug Use.......................... 19
Tobacco Use..................................... 20
PUBLIC SAFETY
Domestic Violence............................ 22
Sexual Violence ................................ 23
Child Welfare.................................... 25
Crime ............................................... 26
Traffic & DUI .................................... 29
Fire Safety......................................... 30
Emergency Preparedness ................. 32
Animal Control ................................. 32
SOCIETY
Arts & Culture................................... 33
Education......................................... 35
School Safety .................................... 38
Housing............................................ 39
Economy .......................................... 41
Public Transit ................................... 43
Transportation Planning ................... 44
Acknowledgements........................... 45
1
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
What is quality of life? Many individuals feel it is more than just emotional
or physical well being. Quality of life can encompass having a safe place to
live, work and raise families. It could include having clean water, access
to high quality health care, safe schools, a pollution free environment and
caring social cohesion. The indicators a society chooses to monitor, evalu-
ate and report about itself are surprisingly powerful. They reflect collective
values and inform collective decisions. However quality of life is defined,
most communities are concerned with maintaining or improving their quality
of life and ensuring that the next generation inherits a healthy, vital place
to live. Our undertaking is to determine what issues are deemed to be the
most important issues facing us and to create a livable community today
while ensuring a healthy and fulfilling legacy for our children’s children.
Assessing quality of life means first developing a vision of what kinds of
attitudes, behaviors and goals we would like to see in Tehama County in the
coming years. Designing, developing and measuring “Community Indicators”
provides a measuring system for community members to garner information
about past trends and current realities, and assists in steering the community
on its desired path to the future. Indicators are slices of information that
focus on a small, manageable and significant piece of a system to give people
a sense of the bigger picture. In other words, indicators are statistics and
trends that display the direction in which a particular condition is heading.
They may be used to evaluate current community conditions, determine
influences on those conditions and identify outcomes of policies and pro-
grams pertaining to those conditions. Indicators raise questions, provide
the basis for people to deliberate and help the community come together to
develop shared meaning about the important issues. They are catalysts for
collective learning, leading to collaborative action, which can help create
change. Indicators are a call to action—to spur critical thinking, to inspire
us to reconsider our priorities, and to leverage actions that will ensure our
communitie’s long-term health.
In this Report Card, the fifth in a series of reports addressing the status
of our communities, the Health Partnership looked at assessments and
measurements of a variety of indicators to measure the progress toward our
vision of a better Tehama County. Monitoring and evaluating these trends
point us towards a new way of thinking about how we live and what kinds of
progress we need and want to make and allows opportunities to refocus our
efforts if warranted. By keeping the whole picture in mind, we can begin to
address the problems at their roots, and act with greater clarity and wisdom
over time.
People have huge reservoirs of untapped talent and vitality and are
therefore capable of changing the conditions and trends that produce
anything less than optimal health, safety and well being. The Report Card
is a tool to help expose policy makers and the public to our “Community
Indicators,” to increase public dialogue and to help our communities
and region become better at self-management and more conscious about
the direction we are headed. Our hope is this information will peak your
interest, augment your understanding of the crucial topics, inspire you to
continue strengthening and sustaining our community and to join others
working to make a difference.
As always, the Health Partnership welcomes your participation.

4. 2
HEALTHY LIVING
DEMOGRAPHICS
WELCOME
Tehama County is located in far northern California. The
county is at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley which,
along with the San Joaquin Valley, creates the Central Valley.
Created in 1856 from parts of Butte, Colusa and Shasta Coun-
ties; Tehama County is a rural area with vast open spaces. From
the snowy Sierras and Cascade Range in the east tumbling to
the Sacramento River on the valley floor and climbing in eleva-
tion to the Coastal Range to the west, the county encompasses
2,951 square miles. Tehama County is home to 395,195 acres
of National Forest land and 327 acres of state park land which
together cover approximately 21% of all land area. The Sacra-
mento River weaves a path through the valley floor and provides
valuable water along with numerous recreation opportunities.
Corning, Red Bluff and Tehama are the three incorporated cities
in the county. With its strategic location on Interstate 5, Highway
99 and Highway 36, Red Bluff is the county seat.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population (Census 2010) 63,463
Population by Ethnicity (Census 2010)
Hispanic/Latino 13,906
Non-Hispanic/Latino 49,557
Population by Race (Census 2010)
White 51,721
Some other race alone 6,258
Two or more races 2,702
American Indian/Alaska Native 1,644
Asian 656
African American/Black 406
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 76
Tehama County 63,463 31,610 31,853 39.5 2.63 3.09 4,409 16,160 44,859 18,329 10,071
Bend CDP 619 318 301 48.3 2.48 2.8 23 125 475 254 142
Corning City 7,663 3,724 3,939 29.2 2.90 3.44 758 2,479 4,814 1,455 772
Flournoy CDP 101 48 53 48.9 2.35 2.78 6 19 80 35 20
Gerber CDP 1,060 543 517 34 2.89 3.41 96 303 697 233 118
Lake California CDP 3,054 1,534 1,520 36.9 2.69 2.97 251 832 2,151 824 434
Las Flores CDP 187 102 85 33.9 2.92 3.59 19 58 127 47 24
Los Molinos 2,037 1,012 1,025 41.7 2.55 3.18 121 483 1,491 631 362
Manton CDP 347 182 165 53.9 2.27 2.67 8 51 290 168 87
Mineral CDP 123 63 60 50.8 1.92 2.53 7 19 104 56 28
Paskenta CDP 112 57 55 51 2.43 2.88 5 19 92 48 24
Paynes Creek CDP 57 33 245 45.8 2.38 2.78 1 11 45 22 14
Proberta CDP 267 136 131 33.1 2.97 3.45 25 75 178 65 36
Rancho T CDP 1,485 744 741 48.5 2.53 2.96 75 295 1,138 566 318
Red Bluff City 14,076 6,759 7,317 32.2 2.54 3.11 1,247 3,950 9,446 3,246 1,874
Richfield CDP 306 165 141 40 2.71 3.16 20 78 220 78 45
Tehama City 418 210 208 44.1 2.53 2.98 33 96 310 142 82
Vina CDP 237 132 105 40.9 2.90 3.2 10 49 182 74 51
Population, Age and Sex Characteristics April 1st 2010
Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places in Tehama County*
Geography-Census
Designated Places
(CDP)
Total
Popu-
lation
Male Female Median
Age
Average
House-
hold Size
Average
Family
Size
<5
years
of age
<18
years
of age
21+
years
of age
55+
years
of age
65+
years
of age
2010 Persons Per Square Mile: 22
Census 2010
Per Capita Annual Income: $19,332
American Community Survey 2007-2011
Estimate of People Below Poverty Level: 19.5%
American Community Survey 2007- 2011
Estimate of People Under Age 18 Below Poverty Level: 28.4%
US Census American Community Survey 2005- 2009
September 2012 Unemployment Rate: 12.5%
CA Employment Development Dept
September 2012 Labor Force: 24,820
CA Employment Development Dept
2011 Fair Market Rent for a (Two Bedroom): $798 Per Month
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
2008-2010 Teen Birth Rate Per 1,000
Females age 15-19: 44.4
CA Department of Public Health
2011 Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect
Rate Per 1,000: 15.4
California Rate Per 1,000: 9.1
U.C. Berkeley Center for Social Services Research
2010-2011 High School one-year dropout rate: 4.3%
CA Department of Education
Source: California Department of Finance * Numbers do not add up to the total County population

5. ENVIRONMENT
Human life is sustained by a flow of goods and services
from the environment. Natural resource industries play an
essential economic function, especially in our local rural
economy. Agricultural products, energy, minerals, forest
products and recreational opportunities are key com-
modities and uses associated with our natural resources
and public lands. Utilization can deplete or degrade natural
resources, or sustain and improve them when managed prop-
erly. Future human well-being depends on the development
of technologies, institutions, policies and lifestyles that use
natural resources in sustainable ways.
Tehama County is a rural area with wide open spaces.
Located approximately midway between Sacramento and
the Oregon border and situated in the northern Sacramento
Valley, its location on Interstate 5 and the Sacramento River
enhances its capability to transport goods and services. As of
2010, the population density in the county was 22 residents
per square mile, putting it well below the overall California
population density of 239 per square mile. From the majestic
heights in the snowy southern Cascades, tumbling to the
buttes and rolling foothills continuing down to the Sacra-
mento River valley, one encounters incredible topographic
diversity in the county.
Temperature and precipitation vary greatly as an outcome
of the variation in elevation in Tehama County. The Western
Regional Climate Center reports climate data collected on
an ongoing basis from selected county weather stations. In
Red Bluff, the annual average number of clear days is 178,
cloudy days 119 and partially cloudy days 68.
It is a comprehensive and long-range guide to the county’s
physical, economic and social development. The document
provides policies and guidelines for the future expansion
and development of the community and helps express how
the citizens wish to see development in their community
occur.
In 1962, the first Tehama County General Plan was
adopted. Historically, growth has been located primarily in
the central portion of the county around the incorporated
cities and unincorporated developed communities, as well
as along Interstate 5 and Highways 99 E & W. The General
Plan’s intent is that agriculture remains one of the primary
uses of land in Tehama County and that the county’s rural
character is preserved.
Oak woodlands are one of California’s most treasured
landscapes, and in 2004, Senate Bill 1334 (The Oak Wood-
lands Conservation Act) was passed. The Act requires cities
and counties to assess their wealth in oak resources and to
adopt Oak Woodlands Management Plans in order to meet
the need for healthy watersheds, clean air and water and
sufficient high quality wildlife habitat. Tehama County has
more oak woodlands than any other county in the Sacra-
mento Valley Region. In 2006, according to the California
Oak Federation, the county contained 529,242 acres of
cover where oaks dominate the woodland and 52,166 acres
where oaks were present in the forest. Adopted in 2005 by
the Tehama County Board of Supervisors, the Voluntary Oak
Woodland Management Plan will help protect valuable county
oak habitat and provide a consistent policy for conservation
and use of oak woodland habitat.
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, popularly
known as the Williamson Act (WA), is one of the most unique
farmland protection laws in the country. It has been the
state’s premier agricultural protection program since its
enactment. In return for lower property taxes, the voluntary
program requires an ongoing 10 or 20-year contractual com-
mitment by landowners to keep the land in open space or
agricultural use. In January 1972, the Open Space Subvention
Act (OSSA) was enacted to provide for partial replacement of
local property tax revenue foregone as a result of participa-
tion in the WA and other enforceable open space restriction
programs. In August of 1998, the Legislature enhanced the
WA with the Farmland Security Zone (FSZ) provisions which
3
HEALTHY LIVING
ENVIRONMENT
Our Goals:
★ To maintain a balance between environmental conserva-
tion efforts and economic growth.
★ To increase recycling efforts and implement new waste
programs to improve environmental health conditions.
★ To develop control measures to respond to changing
environmental risk factors and to promote a healthy
environment for higher quality of life.
★ To use policy and environmental change to transform
communities into places that support and promote
healthy lifestyle choices for all residents.
LAND USE
The Tehama County General Plan 2008-2028 addresses
land use, zoning, subdivision, and land use conservation.
Average July maximum temperature (deg) 81.5F 97.9F
Average January minimum temperature (deg) 21.7F 37F
Average annual precipitation (in.) 55.11 23.41
Average annual snowfall (in.) 152.7 2
Source Western Regional Climate Center
Mineral
(4,600 ft.)
Red Bluff
(341 ft.)
Climate Station Readings
offer landowners greater
property tax reductions
in return for a minimum
rolling contract term of
20 years.
Statewide as of Janu-
ary 1, 2009, approximate-
ly 15 million reported
acres were enrolled in
the WA. In Tehama County
in 2009, approximately

6. 801,538 acres (42% of county acreage) were enrolled;
and the county’s Open Space Subvention Act Payment Claim
was approximately $931,773. The recent severe economic
downturn has had disastrous consequences to State and local
budgets resulting in the reduction or elimination of subven-
tion payments and greatly jeopardizing the WA Program.
A cooperative effort among landowners, community
groups and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Lassen Foot-
hills project protects important habitat lands in the Lassen
Foothills area (eastern Tehama County and southeastern
Shasta County). A private, non-profit organization, TNC is
working to preserve natural landscapes and wildlife habitat
in California and around the world. Providing habitat for four
runs of wild Chinook salmon, Steelhead trout, California’s
largest migratory deer herd (the Tehama Deer Herd) and
numerous other species, the Lassen Foothills area is spec-
tacular. TNC helps willing landowners keep their farms and
ranches intact primarily through the use of purchased con-
servation easements, which essentially buy the developments
rights to a property. Over 80,000 acres in eastern Tehama
County have been protected with conservation easements
since 1998. TNC also manages the 1,440 acre Childs Meadow
property, near Lassen Volcanic National Park, the 4,600 acre
Vina Plains Preserve, near Vina, and the 37,540 acre Dye
Creek Preserve, near Los Molinos. These ranches not only
provide wildlife habitat, but are also used for cattle grazing,
hunting, research and environmental education programs
for Tehama County school children.
The Tehama County Resource Conservation District
(TCRCD) is a local entity whose goal is to help conserve and
enhance the natural resources of Tehama County. Their vision
is a balanced use of the county’s natural resources, where all
land use decisions are socially acceptable, environmentally
sound and economically feasible. They work in partnership
with federal, state and local agencies and organizations to
provide assistance and education to the local community.
The TCRCD is governed by five Directors, appointed by the
Tehama County Board of Supervisors, and by non-voting
Associate Directors.
Air Quality
Local air quality affects how you live and breathe. Achiev-
ing and maintaining good air quality is crucial to public
health and economic vi-
tality. The surrounding
air, both outdoors and
indoors, has the potential
to affect human health,
attitudes, productivity, and
people’s ability to enjoy
their lives. Air pollution
is a general term used
to describe undesirable
amounts of particulate or
gaseous matter in the atmosphere that can be either natural
or human-made. Serious health and environmental problems
can be caused by very small amounts of these pollutants. Air
quality standards are set at both federal and state levels.
In California, the state Air Resources Board, works
together with local air districts and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to improve and protect air qual-
ity in the state. Particulate matter, ozone, and some toxic
compounds appear to pose the greatest health concerns
according to the EPA. Health effects from elevated concentra-
tion of these three things can include increased respiratory
disease, lung damage, cancer, and increased mortality.
Over 90% of Californians live in areas that fail to meet
federal health-protective air quality standards, according to
the American Lung Association in California. In their State
Of The Air 2011 Report, Tehama County received an F for
high ozone. Unhealthy levels of ozone affect the lungs and
respiratory system in many ways and people most at risk
include children, older adults and people with lung dis-
eases. Ozone can make people more sensitive to allergens,
the most common trigger for asthma attacks. Asthma is a
chronic disease that affects your airways. In Tehama, Glenn
and Colusa Counties, approximately 18,000 children and
adults have been diagnosed with asthma according to the
2009 California Health Interview Survey. In Tehama County,
the Emergency Department visits rate per 10,000 residents
0 to 64 years of age exceeds both the California and Healthy
People 2020 rates. In the 2011 Community Health Needs
Assessment, respondents indicated that the county’s adult
population suffers from asthma at almost twice the national
average. Asthma is a significant health problem for Tehama
County children and adults.
Vector Control
West Nile Virus (WNV) was first detected in the United States
in New York in August 1999 and has since spread across the
country. The virus is typically spread through the bite of an
infected mosquito that becomes infected when it feeds on an
infected bird. For the first reported case of WNV in California
in September 2002, it was later determined that the individual
likely acquired the infection in another state. The WNV was
detected in all 58 California Counties by 2004.
HEALTHY LIVING
ENVIRONMENT
4

7. Steelhead Restoration Project was started in the late 1990s.
This collaborative project will remove 5 dams that are fish
barriers and open up over 40 miles of sea-run fish habitat. It
is one of the largest fish restoration project ever implemented
in California. Currently, the estimated project completion
date is 2014.
The restoration of river habitat health benefits us all in
many ways. An active, disparate and dedicated citizen popu-
lation has joined together to increase understanding and
action for future river health. Several watershed conservancy
groups exist in the county and are working to preserve the
environmental and economic resources of the watersheds.
Many groups are working in tandem to help create healthy
waterways and maintain local control of our most precious
resource.
Solid Waste
Solid waste management in the county includes one land-
fill, several transfer stations and an extensive waste stream
diversion program including recycling and composting
programs. The Tehama County Landfill Agency is a regional
Joint Powers Agency representing the cities of Corning, Red
Bluff and Tehama and Tehama County. Encompassing nearly
160 acres, the landfill has a maximum permitted daily ca-
pacity of 400 tons, with an average loading of 216 tons per
day. Transfer stations are located in three rural areas of the
county: Manton, Mineral and Paynes Creek. A transfer station
in Rancho Tehama operates privately. Phase II of the landfill
has an estimated closing date of 2025.
There are over 30 programs to reduce waste and improve
environmental health conditions in the county. Engineering
items so less waste is produced, reusing items, and recycling
HEALTHY LIVING
ENVIROMENT
5
In 2004, Tehama County had more cases of WNV, 17.8
per 100,000 population, than any other county in the state.
There were a total of 10 human WNV infections, including 1
death in the county, indicating the entire county’s population
was at risk.
In California, cases of WNV illness typically occur during
the summer and fall seasons. The best way to prevent WNV
infection is to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repel-
lent, staying indoors during dawn and dusk (peak mosquito
biting times) using window and door screens and draining
standing water in and around the yard. The Tehama County
Mosquito and Vector Control District’s mission is “to protect
the citizens of the district from disease and nuisance caused
by mosquitoes and other vectors.” They serve 1,100 square
miles of the county and provide vector control to some
57,000 people.
Water
With its many uses for drinking, recreation, sanitation,
hygiene, and industry, water is our most precious global
resource and is essential for life. Clean and safe drinking
water is critical to sustain human life and, without it, wa-
terborne illnesses can be a serious problem. Often, water’s
vital role is most apparent during an emergency or disaster.
Water rights and water diversions remain pressing environ-
mental issues across the U.S. With the expanding population
and increased use of water, balancing water supply, rights
and governance have become incredibly contentious. The
demand for water in California continues to increase, and
various factions vociferously compete for water.
There are 26 water agencies operating throughout Tehama
County, according to the Tehama County General Plan 2008-
2028. During an average year, approximately 59% of the
total water used by Tehama County comes from groundwater
sources, 28% from local surface water sources and 10% from
the Sacramento River/Central Valley project. There are over
10,000 wells in the county with most existing in a north-south
swath along both sides of the Sacramento River.
The Sacramento River and its tributaries are valuable re-
sources to the county, contributing immensely to the beauty,
recreation and economy of our communities. Previous uses
of river resources have not always been beneficial to man,
fish populations or the land. The Battle Creek Salmon and
West Nile Virus Human Cases
Tehama County
Statewide
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
6 4 4 0 0 1
278 380 445 112 111 158
Source: www.westnile.ca.gov
items all extend resources
and can be cost-effective.
Composting greenwaste,
recycling motor oil, recy-
cling materials and public
education are among some
of the practices in place.
The Tehama County
Medical Waste Sharps Col-
lection Program provides a
free sharps container for

8. HEALTHY LIVING
RECREATION&FITNESS
6
residents to pick up at seven sites. Once the container is
filled with used needles, there are 10 sites in the County to
drop off the full container. This excellent program protects
people and our environment.
A partnership between Poor And The Homeless (PATH),
the Tehama County District Fair and St. Elizabeth Hospital
has contributed to the establishment of a recycling program
at major county events. The men from PATH collect and
sort recyclables and earn income from the recycled items.
During the 2010 fair season, they collected 1,210 lbs of
recyclables.
education to the general populace, through public and
private venues.
★ To involve more people in recreation through cooperative
efforts of both the public and private sectors in creating
more programs at a reasonable cost.
★ To encourage the acquisition of parkland and open
spaces for public use.
★ To update and implement the Parks and Recreation
general plan.
★ To promote youth and family activities and programs that
promote healthy living.
How Are We Doing?
More than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for
both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, accord-
ing to Healthy People 2020. Similarly, more than 80% of
adolescents do not do enough aerobic physical activity to
meet the guidelines for youth. In 2010, the CDC reported
that 23.5% of Californians reported no leisure-time physical
activity. In the 2011 Community Health Needs Assessment,
6.6% of Tehama County adult respondents reported that they
do not engage in any extracurricular exercise. In California,
more than 1.3 million adolescents (38%) do not participate
in physical education at school, and this rate increases dra-
matically with age. Only 19% of teens meet current physical
activity recommendation according to the UCLA Center For
Health Policy Research. In 1995, California law mandated
statewide physical performance testing for all fifth, seventh
and ninth graders at least every two years. The six measures
of the FITNESSGRAM assessment tool are used to test fitness
levels of California children each spring. The percentage of
students who met all 6 state physical fitness standards in-
creased substantially from 1999 to 2010 statewide. Tehama
County students saw an increase, however, the increase
was less than the state’s increase and not in all categories.
Higher percentages of county 7th and 9th graders met these
fitness standards than 5th graders; in 2010, 37% of 9th
graders, 31% of 7th graders, and 19% of 5th graders met
all standards. Approximately 38.6% of county public school
students in grades 5, 7 and 9 are overweight or obese per
the CDC’s definition, down from 40.3% in 2005.
St. Elizabeth Commu-
nity Hospital has had an
active recycling and waste
management program for
over 15 years. It was one
of the first 100 “Pioneer”
hospitals in the nation to
commit to the “Health-
care Without Harm” waste
reduction promise. All
hospital departments con-
tribute to waste reduction, re-use or recycling. St. Elizabeth
recycled/reused 257,000 pounds in the fiscal year ending
June 2012; 73% of their waste volume. They are committed
to “First Do No Harm” and to serving the community’s health
both physically and ecologically.
Conclusion
The Tehama County General Plan 2008-2028 states that
the County shall continue to preserve Tehama County’s natu-
ral resources including: agriculture, timberlands, water and
water quality, wildlife resources, minerals, natural resource
lands, recreation lands, scenic highways, and historic and
archaeological resources. The protection of natural re-
sources is of the utmost importance, and promoting business
expansion, retention, and recruitment should complement
and enhance the natural resources while reducing negative
impacts.
RECREATION & FITNESS
Healthy People 2020 physical activity objectives reflect
the strong state of the science supporting the health benefits
of regular physical activity among youth and
adults. For adults 18-64 years of age, recom-
mendations are 150 minutes of moderate
activity per week and muscle strengthening
activities on 2 or more days of the week. For
youth, 60 minutes each day of aerobic activity,
muscle strengthening and bone strengthening
activities are recommended.
Our Goals:
★ To promote recreation, fitness and health

9. Parks & Recreation
The parks and park programs in the county provide the
community with many joys and benefits that improve the
quality of life. The park system also provides economic
value to the county. Evaluating several major factors helps
to enumerate this worth. The factors include direct use,
tourism, property value, health, community cohesion,
clean air and clean water.
A wide variety of organized physical activities for adults
and youth are provided by the Red Bluff Parks and Recre-
ation Department (RBPRD). Other organizations provide
activities for youth such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,
Girls Inc., Gymnastics, Little League, Junior Basketball
League, Police Activity Leagues, Triton Swim Team, Youth
Football, Baseball, and Soccer. Since 1998, the Com-
munity Outreach Opportunities for Leisure Club along
with the RBPRD have provided social and recreational
activities to persons with disabilities and the people who
support them.
In 2010, with local support and gifted funds, a disc
golf course was established in Dog Island Park. The 18
basket golf course attracts people from all over Northern
California to Red Bluff to play this unique course. “Blues
for the Pool” sponsors events to help raise funds to sup-
port the local McGlynn Swimming Pool. In a partnership
with Red Bluff High School Class of 1979, they sponsored
the River Park Festi-
val which brought over
3,000 people to the Park
to enjoy outdoor fun.
This event brought great
awareness of the need
for a public swimming
pool for our community
and that our pool was in
need of extensive repair. A private donation of $80,000
to renovate the facility as well as donations to support
pool operations have kept the venue open. In 2012, a
California State grant helped fund a complete fiberglass
resurfacing of the pool, and volunteers painted the pool
building. The local pool gives youth a place to go in the
hot summer, encourages healthy lifestyles, is valuable
in combating the epidemic of childhood obesity and
increases opportunities for physical activity.
Red Bluff Community/Senior Center
The 18,000 square foot Community Center hosts a myriad
of fitness events, classes and other activities. Adult Basketball
and Volleyball, Children’s Specialty Camps, Ping Pong, Line
Dancing, Senior Aerobics and other activities are held in the
facility. The Community Center is home to the city’s Parks
and Recreation Department. The Tehama County’s Senior
Nutrition Program resides in the Red Bluff Community/Senior
Center as well.
HEALTHY LIVING
RECREATION&FITNESS
7
The Red Bluff Skatepark
The Diamond Park Skatepark, opened in 2004, was a
cooperative effort of the entire community to benefit County
youth. Built with community support, the park has been
an unqualified success. Changes in city rules in 2009 have
allowed bikes to use the skate park and increased participa-
tion by additional youth who do not skate. In 2011, the 4th
Annual Northstate Skate Competition was held. Four cities,
including Red Bluff, hold competitions that draw more than
100 competitors 5-40 years of age trying to impress judges
with their skills. This wonderful facility provides a safe and
secure environment for skaters of all sizes, ages, and abilities
and is a wonderful example of how a community can pull
together to meet the needs of its citizens.
Red Bluff Trails
The built environment can have a major impact on the
public’s health. To improve the health and quality of life for
our citizens, local residents have mobilized public and private
resources to make changes in our physical environment. The
Red Bluff Trails United organization came together with the
objective of building a trail system in the community. While
the organization no longer exists, their initial thrust to build
a trail system remains. Individuals from various sectors of the
community are continuing work to build a trails system that
will provide safe access to schools, downtown, Red Bluff River
Park, government centers and many historical buildings. Shasta
College officials formally recognized the completion of the
Shasta College Tehama Campus River Trail in October 2011. A
partnership with the California Conservation Corps, who built
the campus section of the trail, has provided a mutual reward
to all.
Corning Community Park
TheproposedCommunityPark
Project encompasses 18.42 acres
and will create new recreational
features providing opportunities
for youth of all ages, families,
and senior residents. With lighted
skateboard and bicycle parks, two

10. 8
HEALTHY LIVING
ACCESSTOHEALTHCARE lighted soccer fields, picnic areas, walking and jogging trails,
basketball/hard court and a community plaza/amphitheater
among other amenities, this wonderful facility will provide
incredible opportunities for outside physical activity and enjoy-
ment. Funded through a grant the City of Corning was awarded
through the Statewide Park Development and Community Re-
vitalization Program of 2008, the park will be developed in two
phases. Construction is estimated to begin in the fall of 2012.
Conclusion
In the pursuit of health and fitness, regular physical activity
and a healthful diet are both important components. Moderate
physical activity can improve the health and well being of indi-
viduals and reduce substantially the risk of developing or dying
from heart disease, diabetes, stroke, breast and colon cancer
and high blood pressure. Participating in daily physical activity
should become a priority along with other healthy habits.
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
With the rapidly escalating costs of health care and
health insurance and the swelling numbers of individuals
without health insurance, access to health care is becoming
a critical issue for numerous individuals. Health care costs
more than doubled in just nine years according to a 2011
report by Milliman, a global actuarial firm. The Kaiser Family
Foundation (KFF) reported the average annual premiums in
2011 are $5,429 for single coverage and $15,073 for family
coverage. Many individuals cannot afford to pay for health
insurance, and, even with health insurance, are forgoing
medical treatment due to the costs incurred. In 2010, one
in six Americans, (46.2 million) were officially poor, and,
according to the Census Bureau, this is the largest total in
the 52 years it has published such estimates. A record 6.7%
were in extreme poverty; a family of four had to earn less
than $11,157 a year, that’s $214 a week to be considered
extremely poor.
Good health is critical to our quality of life, our productiv-
ity and our economy. In the United States, an estimated 51.5
million nonelderly people in 2010 were without health care
insurance according to the KFF. More than half (61%) of
uninsured adults have no education beyond high school and
are less likely to hold jobs that provide medical insurance.
In 2010, approximately 32% of nonelderly Hispanics were
without health insurance
coverage at any given
point in time, compared
to 30% of American Indi-
ans, and 14% of whites.
Medicaid is the largest
source of health insur-
ance for children in the
U.S. enrolling 29 million
children at some point in
the year 2008.
In 2010, about 6.1 million Californians were poor; the
poverty rate of 16.3% is the highest since 1997. Approxi-
mately 21.5% of nonelderly Californians were uninsured at
some time in 2010, according to the KFF. In California, the
average family premium per enrolled employee for employer
based health insurance was $15,724 in 2011.
Our Goals:
★ Improve access to comprehensive, high-quality health
care services.
★ Health security for all regardless of socioeconomic
characteristics.
★ Improve access to and increase the usage of clinical
preventive health care services.
★ Decrease the death rate due to chronic diseases.
How Are We Doing?
In Tehama County, according to 2009-2011 American
Community Survey data, 27.6% of county children and
19.5% of county residents live below the federal poverty
level. A growing number of Tehama County residents 0-64
years of age are without health insurance coverage, 18.3%,
according to the same survey. Seventeen percent of County
adults reported difficulty in finding physicians in the past
year and almost 19% reported being unable to see a doc-
tor when needed in the past year, according to the 2011
Community Health Needs Assessment. Tehama County has a
Health Professional Shortage Area designation for Primary
Medical Care, Dental and Mental Health providers, accord-
ing to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A
report from The California Health Care Foundation stated that
there might not be enough doctors to meet patient needs in
California. With the potential changes in insurance coverage
due to the Affordable Care Act of 2010, access to medical
care may become even more difficult.
In California, the health care safety net is a term that
describes the relationship of three continuously evolving
components; health care providers, public health care
programs and the population of low-income uninsured with
unmet medical needs. The nature and scope of the safety
net changes continuously in response to the level of need,
the economy, changes in policy, shifts in budget priorities,
and swings in politics. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 will

11. ACCESSTOHEALTHCARE
HEALTHY LIVING
9
can significantly reduce risk for cancer–for example, avoiding
tobacco use, improving nutrition, increasing physical activ-
ity and avoiding sun exposure. Tehama County age-adjusted
coronary heart disease death rates have been consistently
below statewide rates. In 2008-2010, deaths per 100,000
population in the County were 107.6 compared to 121.6 for
the state and 126 for the nation.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects nearly 8% of
children and adults nationwide, according to the Centers for
Disease Control. The estimated cost of treating obesity in the
United States adult non-institutionalized population is $168.4
billion or 16.5% of national spending on medical care.
California is in the midst of an unprecedented epidemic
of diabetes. In 2009, 9% of the state’s adults have diabetes,
according to the Centers for Disease Control. California’s
total annual cost of diabetes is estimated to be 24 billion.
This chronic condition is the leading cause of kidney disease,
blindness and lower limb amputations, and is widely recog-
nized as a risk factor for other serious health conditions such
as heart disease and stroke. Diabetes prevalence in California
adults increased 37% between 2001 and 2009 according to
the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. Tehama County
ranks 51 out of 59 with a rate of 9.4 diagnosed as diabetic,
according to the 2009 CA Diabetes Program. The majority of
adults have Type II or adult-onset diabetes, a condition that
can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthy lifestyles.
According to the 2011 Community Health Needs Assessment,
6.8% of respondents reported having diabetes. Survey re-
spondents who have diabetes reported a higher prevalence
of Type 2 (7.3%) diabetes than Type 1 (1.5%).
Approximately 39% of 5th
, 7th
and 9th
grade students are
overweight or obese in 2010, down 4.4% from 40.34 in
2005, according to the 2010 CA Physical Fitness Test.
Conclusion
Good health is critical to our quality of life, our productiv-
ity and our economy. The natural surroundings, physical and
social conditions such as poverty, education, housing quality,
job opportunities and violence are just a few conditions that
can contribute to poor health outcomes. A diverse group from
dissimilar organizations must work together to create the nec-
essary framework to support health. With the increasing num-
ber of uninsured, the
increase in individuals
living below the pov-
erty level, shortages of
health professionals,
possible cultural and
language barriers and
rising unemployment,
achieving optimal
health is a growing
problem for county
residents.
reshape the safety net again, dramatically expanding both
Medicaid and private insurance coverage. Implementation
of health care reform will change the population served and
alter the financing of the safety net. The health care safety
net is composed of multiple programs that vary widely in
services covered and eligibility criteria. Overall, the safety
net population receives less health care services, is more
likely to lack a usual source of care, to delay needed care,
and to be hospitalized of an avoidable cause, according
to the California Health Care Almanac 2010. In California
beginning in January of 2013, the shifting of intervals from
the Healthy Families Program to the Medi-Cal Program will
again reshape the safety net. In Tehama County, according
to the 2009-2011 American Community Survey, 44.8% of
individuals with health insurance coverage have public
coverage and 18.3% have no insurance. These individuals
are in the safety net population.
More than a century old, St. Elizabeth Community Hos-
pital, with 76 licensed beds and a trauma level III, provides
critical, adult, pediatric and maternity care, as well as Home
Health and Hospice programs and Outpatient Surgery Center.
The Meuser Memorial Health Center, finished in September
of 2010, improves access to mental and medical health care
to the uninsured in the Corning area. By providing enroll-
ment to health programs in one location, it improves the
effectiveness of health systems.
Chronic diseases are responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths
among Americans each year and they account for about three-
fourths of the more than $2.5 trillion our nation spends on
medical care according to the USDHHS. The leading causes
of death in Tehama County in 2008-2010 are cancers (25%),
coronary heart disease (22%) and chronic lower respiratory
diseases (8%); they account for over half (55%) of all county
deaths, according to the California Department of Public
Health. The age adjusted cancer death rate in Tehama County,
(180) is higher than the statewide rate (157) and the national
rate (173.2). Lung cancer (39.7%) is by far the most common
cause of cancer deaths, followed by colorectal (13%), breast
(8.7%) and prostate cancers (8.3%). Cigarette smoking is the
most important risk factor for lung cancer. Healthier lifestyles

12. HEALTHY LIVING
SENIORHEALTH
10
Senior Health
Our Goals:
★ Maintain the health and functional independence of older
adults in Tehama County.
★ Increase the availability of and access to assisted living
options and facilities including adult day health care,
meals and skilled nursing facilities.
★ Increase the availability of and access to safe and reliable
transportation.
★ Increase the availability of and access to affordable housing.
How Are We Doing?
In 2010, there were approximately 39 million people age
65 and over living in the United States, accounting for over
12.7% of the total population, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau. It is projected that there will be 55 million people
65 and older in 2020 (a 36% increase for the decade). The
85+ population is projected to increase to 6.6 million in
2020 (a 15% increase). Many disciplines recognize the need
to identify the issues and challenges of the aging population,
assess resources, and to find solutions, doing more with less
more efficiently.
In California, the elderly population is expected to grow
more than twice as fast as the total population. In 2010,
there were more than 3.7 million residents age 65 and older
(11.2% of the population). Tehama County residents age 65
and older accounted for approximately 15.3% of the popu-
lation, in 2010. Existing services are not adequate to meet
their growing needs. Transportation, affordable housing,
nutrition, home health assistance, assisted living and skilled
nursing facilities are some of the key issues identified for
this population.
Health is more than the absence of disease; it is a re-
source that allows people to realize their aspirations, satisfy
their needs and to cope with the environment in order to
live a long, productive, and fruitful life.
Preserving quality of life as well as length of life is impor-
tant for this growing population. More people are developing
diabetes and are living longer with diabetes and its complica-
tions. Numerous older adults do not receive vaccinations,
screenings, and other preventive services national experts
recommend.
As the population ages, most older individuals underes-
timate how likely they are to need help with daily living as
they age and few are prepared to handle the potential costs,
which can be huge. Approximately 70% of Americans eventu-
ally need help to deal with their daily living. The UCLA Center
for Health Policy Research recently conducted a survey on
voters age 40 and older. They found that more than half of
those polled could not afford more than three months of
in-home care if they had to pay for it themselves and about
a third could not afford even one month of assistance. The
average cost of in-home care is $2,000 per month and a
month in a nursing home is approximately $6,500.
Elder abuse is gaining national attention, and on March
23, 2010, older Americans won a huge victory when the
Elder Justice Act was signed into law. Each year across the
United States, there are tens of thousands of elderly Ameri-
cans being abused in their own homes, homes of relatives
or friends and in care facilities. It affects seniors across all
socio-economic groups, cultures and races.
Adult Protective Services (APS) receives and investi-
gates reports of elder abuse (65 years and up) as well as
dependent adult abuse (18-64 years of age with a mental
or physical disability that prevents them from being able to
care for themselves). Reported abuse can be perpetuated by
others or self-neglect. Abuse by others could include physical
abuse including sexual assault, neglect, financial, abandon-
ment, isolation, abduction and psychological/mental abuse.
Self-neglect is considered a lack of physical care, medical
care, health and safety hazards, malnutrition/dehydration
and financial abuse.
APS is one of the programs within the Adult Services
Division located at the Tehama County Department of Social
Services (TCDSS). This division collects monthly data on
reports of abuse received in the County and the chart on
this page shows the total abuse reports received from 2005
through 2010.
0
65
130
195
260
325 Dependent
Elder
201020092008200720062005
Reports of Alleged Elder/Dependent Abuse
in Tehama County
Source: Tehama County Department of Social Services (TCDSS)

13. HEALTHY LIVING
MATERNALHEALTH
11
As the chart illustrates, elder abuse should be a genu-
ine concern. The State Department of Justice estimates
that one in every twenty elderly individuals are abused
or neglected, but just one in five cases is reported.
Multiple agencies have joined together to enhance and
protect the lives of Tehama County’s elderly.
Six million older Americans face hunger, and are forced
to choose between
buying groceries
or the medicine
they need. Between
2006 and 2008,
the percentage and
number of poor and
near-poor elderly,
with very low food
security, more than
doubled from 4.7%
to 10.1%, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute.
TCDSS is encouraging county seniors to sign up for the
Supplemental Nutrition Program and to utilize the USDA
Nutrition Assistance Program for the summer Farmer’s
Markets through the Senior Nutrition Program (SNP).
PASSAGES Adult Resource Center/Area 3 Agency on Aging
provides joint oversight and funding of the Senior Nutrition
Program with the City of Red Bluff and Tehama County. The
SNP is offered at three county congregate sites, Red Bluff,
Los Molinos and Corning, and approximately 180 meals
are prepared daily.
About 475,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had
the primary responsibility for their grandchildren who
lived with them. More than six million children–ap-
proximately 1 in 12–are living in households headed by
grandparents (4.5 million children) or other relatives
(1.5 million children). Often they assume this responsi-
bility without either of the child’s parents present in the
home. These grandparents and other relative caregiv-
ers often lack information about the range of support
services, benefits and policies they need to fulfill their
caregiving role. According to the 2009-2011 American
Community Survey, 1,650 grandparents were living with
their own grandchildren under the age of 18.
Conclusion
For older adults no longer able to live an independent
lifestyle, access to a wide range of services is required.
Necessary services may range from minimal care to
long-term specialized care to hospice care or anywhere
in between. Accessing these services, especially trans-
portation, in rural areas like Tehama County can often
be difficult. The increasing need for services in this
era of decreasing resources underscores the necessity
for more planning on how to meet senior’s changing
needs.
MATERNAL CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
The health of mothers, infants and children is of criti-
cal importance, both as a reflection of the current health
status of the nation’s over-all population and as a predictor
of the health of the next generation. Focusing education and
resources on women of childbearing age, their partners and
children is an essential means of improving birth outcomes
and nurturing healthy families.
The Tehama County Health Services Agency, Public Health
Division (TCHSA, Public Health Division), conducted a Ma-
ternal Child and Adolescent Health Needs Assessment during
the spring of 2009. By vote, the Public Health Advisory Board
prioritized by importance the following five areas of need
for Tehama County.
1. Substance Abuse
2. Teen Births Age 15-19
3. Adequate Prenatal Care for Women Ages 15-44
4. Domestic/Family Violence
5. Homelessness
Teen Births, Prenatal Care, and Perinatal Substance Abuse
will be addressed in this section.
Teen Pregnancy
In the United States and California there continues to be a
steady decline in the rate of teen births (females aged 15-19).
Over the years, the rate has dropped from 61.8 births per
1000 females to 41.5 in the U.S. (1991- 2008). California’s
rates have declined even more significantly from 70.9 births
per 1000 to 32.1. (1991- 2009).
Teen pregnancy impacts the community financially, as
well as the health and well being of families. Based on data
from the California Public Health Institute, the average
annual cost to society per teen birth was $13,809 (2008
dollars). An estimated cost to California taxpayers in 2008
was at least $1.1 billion annually and the cost to society was
$4.4 billion annually. While these numbers demonstrate
Tehama County’s Teen Birth Rate
3 year average (births per 1000)
Source: California Department of Public Health
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2007-20092004-20062001-20031995-1997

14. HEALTHY LIVING
MATERNALHEALTH
12
the significant financial implications of teen pregnancy, it is
estimated that California taxpayers saved approximately 507
billion dollars since 1996, due to the decrease in the teen
birth rate. In the 2008-2009 fiscal year, California spent ap-
proximately $206 million dollars on programs targeted at teen
pregnancy prevention. In return, these programs saved over
$1 billion in taxpayer dollars. New and/or continued funding
of programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy is essential
to maintain declining birth rates and societal costs.
According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and
Family Statistics, America’s Children: Key National Indicators
of Well-Being 2003, “bearing a child during adolescence is
often associated with long-term difficulties for the mother
and her child.” These difficulties may include “poverty and
other adverse socioeconomic circumstances. Children of
teen mothers are more likely to grow up in homes that offer
lower levels of emotional support and cognitive stimulation
and are less likely to earn a high school diploma.”
◆ Young people growing up in disadvantaged economic,
familial and social circumstances are more likely than
their better-off peers to engage in risky behavior and have
a child during adolescence.
◆ Almost eight in 10 teen pregnancies are unintended.
◆ 1/3 of pregnant teens receive inadequate prenatal care.
◆ Babies born to young mothers are more likely to be low-
birth-weight, to have childhood health problems and to
be hospitalized than are those born to older mothers.
◆ 7 in 10 teen mothers complete high school, but they are
less likely than women who delay childbearing to go on
to college.
Our Goal:
★ Reduce the rate of teen pregnancy in Tehama County
to less than or equal to the State rate of 32.1 per 1000
adolescent females.
How Are We Doing
Data from Tehama County consistently shows a signifi-
cantly higher teen birth rate than California, as well as that
of the U.S. The County’s three-year average teen birth rate
(2008-2010) was 22.7 per 1,000 for teens 15-17 years of
age and 75.2 per 1,000 for 18-19 year olds. Tehama County
currently has the 10th
highest teen birth rate in the state and is
designated as one of California’s hot spots for teen pregnancy.
The California Public Health Institute report documents that
(P.A.C.T.), Cal-Learn, Adolescent Family Life Program
(AFLP), and programs through local school districts, such
as Friday Night Live. The Family P.A.C.T Program provides
confidential family planning services for low-income ado-
lescents and adults. There are 3 Family P.A.C.T. providers
in Tehama County. TCHSA, Public Health Division and the
Clinic Division also offer low-cost pregnancy testing, sexu-
ally transmitted disease testing, and counseling and referral
services.
In June 2012, the Tehama County Department of Edu-
cation received a grant from the California Department of
Public Health, Center for Family Health and Maternal Child
and Adolescent Division. The California Personal Respon-
sibility Education program Grant, referred to as Cal Prep,
will address teen pregnancy in the County.
For those teens who do become pregnant, the TCHSA,
Public Health Division administers the AFLP program,
and the Tehama County Department of Social Services
administers the Cal-Learn program. These programs,
offered at no cost, provide case management and assist
adolescent parents in accessing medical services, gaining
parenting skills, decreasing future unplanned pregnancies
and completing their high school education. Appropriate
referrals to counseling and social services are also made.
The AFLP program previously served 74 clients per month.
Unfortunately, due to State budget cuts, the program in fis-
cal year 2012-2013, will only be able to serve 29 clients.
The Cal-Learn program serves approximately 30 clients
per month, and it is dependent on the availability of State
funds.
To further help teen parents stay in school, Cal-Safe
is offered at Salisbury High School in Red Bluff. Cal-Safe
provides childcare, assistance with transportation to and
from school for moms and their babies, and provides
parenting education and resource linkages. At Centennial
High School in Corning, child care for children of teens is
provided by Northern California Child Development, Inc.
(NCCDI) at the school site. Through the federal Helping
Others Pursue Education grant, transportation, parenting
the estimated 2008 Tehama
County taxpayer costs associ-
ated with Tehama County teen
births was $2,500,000 with
societal costs of $9,900,000.
Programs available in the
county to address teen preg-
nancy include: Family Plan-
ning Access Care Treatment

15. HEALTHY LIVING
MATERNALHEALTH
13
education and resource linkages are also offered to teen
parents at Centennial. Additionally, NCCDI offers an Early
Head Start Program in our county. Early Head Start is a
federally funded community-based program for low-income
families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women.
Prenatal Care
Healthy mothers have greater chances of having healthy
children. Early and continuous prenatal care with prenatal
care providers allows more opportunities to provide health
assessment, treatment and education to help ensure positive
birth outcomes.
Our Goals:
Tehama County’s goal is consistent with that of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People
2020 goals for the nation.
★ Increase the percentage of females delivering a live
birth who received prenatal care beginning in the first
trimester from 70.8% (2007 US statistic) to 77.9%.
★ Increase the percentage of pregnant females receiving
early and adequate prenatal care from 70.5% (2001 US
statistic) to 77.6%.
How Are We Doing?
In 2010, 67.1% of Tehama County females giving birth
received prenatal care during their first trimester of preg-
nancy, an increase from 62.5% in 2009. Compared to the
State at 81.7% in 2010.
Maternal preconception health and the length of time
between pregnancies directly influence maternal and infant
health. An indicator for this is the interval between births,
with the recommendation being 24 months or more. In
Tehama County in 2008, 16.9% of births to residents 15-
44 years of age had a birth interval less than 24 months,
compared to the State at 13.2 %. Only 3 other counties had
higher percentages in this indicator.
Tehama County has one hospital, Saint Elizabeth Com-
munity Hospital, which provides obstetrical delivery services.
There are 4 provider offices that offer prenatal, delivery and
post-partum services. Only one office offers Medi-Cal Pre-
sumptive Eligibility, which allows pregnant women to start
prenatal care and initiate the Medi-Cal application process
at the provider office. This provider also offers the Compre-
hensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP), which provides
nutrition, health education, and psychosocial assessment
and counseling to pregnant and post-partum women and
has been proven to improve birth outcomes.
Perinatal Substance Abuse
Substance abuse during pregnancy is a known cause of
birth defects, developmental delays, and future behavioral and
mental health problems. Alcohol during pregnancy may lead
to Fetal Alcohol Affects and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Symp-
toms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders include low birth
weight, central nervous system effects, facial abnormalities,
poor growth and weight gain, and problems with behavioral
regulation. Researchers and physicians have concluded that
“No amount of alcohol is safe to use in pregnancy”.
Our Goals:
Tehama County’s goal again mirrors that found in the
Healthy People 2020 goals for the nation: Increase absti-
nence from alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs among
pregnant women.
★ 98.3% of pregnant females aged 15 to 44 years will report
abstaining from alcohol in the past 30 days (2007–08
baseline: 89.4);
★ 100 percent of pregnant females aged 15 to 44 years
will report abstaining from illicit drugs in the past 30
day (2007–08 baseline: 94.9).
How Are We Doing?
California tracks the rate of live births that were prenatally
exposed to alcohol and/or drugs. The lab confirmed data for
2006 through 2008 shows Tehama County with a rate of 36.7
exposed per 1,000 live births. California’s rate, for the same
period was 11.9 per 1,000 live births. Tehama’s prenatal
alcohol and drug exposure rate is statistically significantly
higher than the State rate. Tehama has the 5th
highest county
rate in the state.
Tehama County Health Services Agency does offer ser-
vices specifically designed to assist pregnant and post-partum
women in obtaining sobriety. Case Management through
Drug and Alcohol Perinatal Programs is offered, to assist
the women in not only accessing treatment services, but in
accessing health and other services for both themselves and
their families. Transportation, child-care, and
parenting classes are also key components
of the program. Often pregnant women and
those with new babies are highly motivated
to adopt lifestyle changes. When intensive
case management and treatment services are
readily accessible, these mothers are often
successful in their efforts to gain sobriety.

16. newborns will be seen by
the PHN for lactation as-
sessment and support at
their second WIC visit. The
breast pump loan program
is being strengthened. In
order to build collabora-
tion with local hospitals
and medical providers,
WIC is participating in
a regional breastfeeding
roundtable.
Children’s Health Programs
TCHSA, Public Health Division, administers two child
health programs in conjunction with the State: Child Health
and Disability Prevention (CHDP) and California Children’s
Services (CCS).
Our Goals:
★ Increase access to preventive health care services for early
detection of childhood health problems.
★ Assist families to access appropriate specialty medical
services.
CHDP is a disease prevention program that provides for
periodic health assessments and services to low income chil-
dren and youth in California. It provides care coordination
for accessing diagnostic and treatment services and assists
families with medical appointment scheduling and transporta-
tion information.
CHDP participants receive health assessments from
CHDP providers according to a CHDP periodicity schedule.
A completed health assessment includes: health history and
physical examination; dental, nutritional and developmental
assessments; vision and hearing screens; appropriate im-
munizations; a tuberculin test; laboratory screening tests
including testing for blood lead; anticipatory guidance; and
appropriate health education including the harmful effects of
using tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke.
When an abnormality is found on the assessment, there is an
intervention or a referral.
CHDP program staff at TCHSA, Public Health Division work
collaboratively with six local medical offices that provide
CHDP services. According to the CHDP Annual Report, a total
of 4,740 children received CHDP services in Tehama County
in the fiscal year 2009-2010, with 5,756 health assessments
performed. Approximately 589 children were referred for
additional medical and/or dental services for conditions such
as dental caries, anemia, elevated lead levels, heart murmurs,
developmental delays, and vision or hearing problems.
The CHDP program is supported through State and Federal
funding. Uninsured children have access to these healthcare
services through the CHDP “Gateway” program. Gateway
provides access to Medi-Cal or Healthy Families Programs
HEALTHY LIVING
MATERNALHEALTH
14
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children (WIC)
The WIC program provides nutrition education, breast-
feeding promotion and support, referrals to community
medical and service providers, and checks to buy specific,
healthy foods to qualifying individuals. It is funded by the
US Department of Agriculture and, in Tehama County, it
is administered by the TCHSA, Public Health Division.
WIC serves pregnant, lactating and post-partum women
and children up to age 5 years. To qualify, families must
be residents of California, meet income guidelines and
demonstrate a nutrition need. Currently, there are ap-
proximately 2,700 women, infants and children receiving
WIC services in Tehama County.
Our Goals:
★ To provide learner-centered group education to WIC
families around the issues of breastfeeding, nutrition
and health.
★ To increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among
WIC infants at 6 months of age by 15% (from 19.4%
to 22.3 % of WIC infants).
In 2009, a group education campaign called Healthy
Habits for Life was initiated statewide. This coincided with
the revamping of the WIC food package which for years
provided cheese, eggs, milk and juice plus some beans or
peanut butter. The new food package emphasizes whole
grains, fresh fruit, and vegetables and includes some eggs,
peanut butter, beans, and healthy juice. Low fat milk is
included in the food package for all participants 2 years
of age and older. As part of this Healthy Habits campaign,
WIC participants were required to attend group education
classes showcasing the new foods and suggesting ways to
use them.
In 2010, cooking classes were added to the WIC
repertoire. WIC is collaborating with the Tehama County
Collaborative Garden Project created by the Tehama
County Probation Department, Tehama County Landfill
Management Agency and TCHSA. The TCHSA Tobacco Con-
trol Program provides classes to WIC participants about
the effects of second-hand smoke within the family. WIC
also participates in the summer Farmer’s Market Nutrition
Program, and offers classes on using fruits and vegetables
in season to take advantage of local produce.
The Tehama County WIC
Program received special
two-year funding and was
able to hire a Public Health
Nurse (PHN) to help ramp
up breastfeeding educa-
tion and promotion efforts.
A Breastfeeding Commu-
nity Assessment is being
completed. All breastfed

17. HEALTHY LIVING
IMMUNIZATIONS
15
through an automated
pre-enrollment process
at the time of the CHDP
office visit, and provides
temporary full scope
coverage for the month
of application and the
subsequent month. In
the first seven years, the
Gateway program has
enabled over 2.5 million
children to receive comprehensive medical care, according
to the 2009-2010 CHDP Annual Report.
Whereas CHDP is a preventive health care program, Cali-
fornia Children’s Services (CCS) is a program that provides
diagnostic and treatment services, medical case management,
eligibility and physical and occupational therapy services to
children under the age 21 with CCS eligible medical conditions.
CCS also provides medical therapy services that are delivered
at public schools.
The CCS program is administered as a partnership between
the county health departments and the California Department
of Health Care Services. In counties with populations greater
than 200,000 (independent counties), county staff perform all
case management activities for eligible children residing within
their county. For counties with populations under 200,000
(dependent counties), the State Children’s Medical Services
(CMS) Branch provides medical case management eligibility
and benefits determination through three regional offices
located in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Tehama County’s CCS is a dependent program. The re-
gional office located in Sacramento provides medical case
management for Tehama County CCS clients. CCS program
staff at TCHSA, Public Health Division interact with families
to determine financial and residential eligibility, and assist
in care coordination for authorized services. In fiscal year
2011-2012, the active and pending CCS caseload in Tehama
County was 466 children.
The CCS program is funded by a combination of monies ap-
propriated by the county, State General Funds, and the federal
government. State and County CCS programs share in the cost
of providing specialized medical care and rehabilitation to
physically handicapped children through allocations of State
General Fund and county monies.
IMMUNIZATION
Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death among
children globally and contribute substantially to disease and
disability among persons of all ages. In the era of global
pandemics and mass travel, the public health of U.S. citizens
is closely related to diseases occurring in other countries.
Even though many Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) such
as polio and measles have been eliminated in the U.S., this
country remains vulnerable to importations as long as these
diseases continue to persist elsewhere.
The life spans of Americans increased by more than thirty
years in large part because of vaccines, and mortality from
infectious diseases in the United States decreased 14-fold,
according to the 2010 National Vaccine Plan. Immunizations
are one of the great public health success stories of the 20th
century. They have the unique quality of protecting both
individuals and communities. Vaccines are now available
to protect children and adults against 17 life-threatening or
debilitating diseases. Despite improved vaccination coverage
among children, recent vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks
in the U.S. serve as reminders that these diseases still occur.
Approximately 300 children in the United States die each year
from VPDs. Many adolescents and adults are under-immunized
as well, missing opportunities to protect themselves against
diseases such as Hepatitis B, influenza, Tetanus, Diphtheria,
Pertussis, Meningitis and pneumococcal disease.
Our Goals:
★ Achieve and maintain a 90% vaccination rate for two-year
olds in Tehama County.
★ Achieve and maintain a 95% vaccination rate for each
immunization required by law for kindergarten students
and child care entrants.
★ Attain appropriate levels of immunizations for adolescents
and adults.
How Are We Doing?
California’s counties have joined together to create a web-
based regional registry called the California Immunization
Registry (CAIR). It has one central database and operates in
conjunction with the California Department of Public Health
Immunization Branch. TCHSA-Public Health Division en-
courages recruitment, education and training of community
health centers for use of the CAIR. By consolidating vaccina-
tion records from multiple health care providers, generating
reminder cards and recall notifications and assessing clinic
and vaccination coverage, registries are key tools to increase
and sustain high vaccination coverage. One of the national
health objectives for Healthy People 2020 is to increase to
95% the population of children aged less than six years who
participate in immunization registries.
The January 2012
Comprehensive Clinic
Assessment Software Ap-
plication for the TCHSA,
Public Health Division’s
Red Bluff site shows
an overall immuniza-
tion completion rate
of 67% of children by
24 months of age, and
86% at the Corning site.
2010 numbers in Red

18. HEALTHY LIVING
16
Bluff and fails to meet our 90% goal, while an increase of
3% in Corning almost meets the goal.
The Vaccine for Children program is a federal program
that purchases vaccine for children who meet the eligibility
criteria. In the United States in the last few years, private
providers have vaccinated approximately 80% of children.
In Tehama County, TCHSA, Public Health Division, private
providers and clinics all participate in the program. The
increased provider participation provides more opportuni-
ties for children to access immunizations.
In 2010, California experienced a widespread outbreak
of pertussis (whooping cough) with continued high levels of
activity into 2011. The number of cases in 2010 represented
the most cases reported in 65 years, with 9,477 confirmed,
probable and suspect cases, with 12 of those being in Tehama
County. TCHSA, Public Health Division responded early to
the challenge of ensuring county residents were as protected
as possible from contracting and spreading pertussis. Vac-
cination clinics were offered throughout the county and at
various school sites. Approximately 4,600 doses of vaccine
for pertussis were provided countywide in 2010 and 4,649
doses in 2011.
Due to the pertussis epidemic in California, on September
30, 2010 Assembly Bill 354 became law. Beginning July 1,
2011, all students entering 7th
through 12th
grades were re-
quired to provide proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting
the 2011-2012 school year. TCHSA, Public Health Division in
collaboration with the Tehama County Department of Educa-
tion responded to the challenge by providing an additional
2,040 vaccinations utilizing the TCHSA Mobile Medical Clinic
to access 7-12th
graders at their school sites.
Participation in California Immunization Registry has
helped to improve vaccination levels in Tehama County,
however, the county still has not met its goal of immuniz-
ing 90% of our children. Unfortunately, challenges such as
vaccination costs, shortages and interruptions of vaccines,
disparities in rates of adult vaccinations and even the previ-
ous success of vaccines that has reduced the impact and
awareness of the value and need for vaccines remain.
ORAL HEALTH
The acceptance of the intrinsic importance of oral health
and its interdependence with general health is an important
first step in helping to improve a community’s health. In
2008 according to the Institute of Medicine, 4.6 million
children, one out of every 16 children in the U.S., did not
receive needed dental care because their families could not
afford it. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Hu-
man Services launched an
Oral Health Initiative that
conveys the message that
oral health is an integral
part of overall health, and
therefore, oral health care
is an essential component of comprehensive health care.
Shortages of dental care providers, lack of awareness and
perceived importance of dental care, elimination of Medi-
Cal reimbursement for services for adult beneficiaries and
decreased reimbursement for services provided can make
accessing oral health care a significant challenge.
Our Goals:
★ Increase the visibility and public understanding of oral
health.
★ Increase access to and use of oral health services by
low-income families.
★ Increase early detection of oral and throat cancers.
★ Develop, implement and facilitate specific educational,
informational and service programs to improve oral
health.
How Are We Doing?
According to Children Now, California received a D grade
on oral health. Approximately 20% of California’s children
under the age of 12 have never been to the dentist. Conse-
quently, dental disease is one of the most significant unmet
health needs facing children. In 2011, only 52% of children
with Medi-Cal coverage received dental care, and only 35%
received preventive dental services.
In California, only 1.2% of the total 2010-11 Medi-Cal
budget supports dental services. The elimination of Medi-Cal
reimbursement for non-emergency dental services for adult
beneficiaries in July 2009 has severely impacted both adult’s
and children’s access to oral health services. Children whose
parents visit the dentist are 13 times more likely to access
dental services themselves.
Tehama County applied for renewal of its Federal Dental
Health Professional Shortage Area designation in September
2009. Due to the high ratio of low-income people to dentists
and the lack of dentists in certain areas of the county, the
designation was maintained. The designation’s benefits, such
as assisting qualified dental professionals in repaying their
student loans, has helped in the recruitment of dentists to
staff the three Indian Health Services Clinics operating in
Tehama County, since 2011. Resulting in an increase in the
numbers of providers treating low-income individuals and
ORALHEALTH

19. HEALTHY LIVING
ORALHEALTH
MENTALHEALTH
17
family’s connection to health insurance has helped improve
children’s health.
Good oral health and control of oral disease protects a
woman’s health and quality of life before and during preg-
nancy, and has the potential to reduce the transmission of
pathogenic bacteria from mothers to their children. In 2007,
less than one in seven pregnant Medi-Cal women had a dental
visit during pregnancy. A recent 2010 Public Health Report
study reported that 65% of women during 2002-2007 had no
dental care during pregnancy and 62% of women reporting
dental problems also did not receive care. The primary rea-
sons reported for not accessing dental care during pregnancy
was a lack of perceived need (38.2%) and financial barriers
(20.6%). The California Dental Association Foundation in
collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists, District IX, in February 2010 completed
the publication “Oral Health During Pregnancy and Early
Childhood: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Health Profes-
sionals” to substantiate the relationship between health and
oral health status and promote the importance and safety of
dental care during pregnancy. In Tehama County, efforts at
educating both pregnant women and health providers are un-
derway. The Mobile Dental Clinic treated 76 pregnant women
in its first 4 years from January 2009 to June 2012.
Conclusion
Oral health is an important, but often neglected, compo-
nent of total health care. Oral diseases are almost entirely pre-
ventable, and regular dental visits provide an opportunity for
the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of oral diseases
and conditions for persons of all ages, before they become
serious and costly. At one year of age or when their first tooth
erupts in the mouth is the time the American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first
dental visit to establish a dental home and a life-long habit
of regular dental visits. One key to disseminating knowledge
increasing access to oral health care.
“Give Kids A Smile” day (GKAS) is a nationwide event
held in February each year during Children’s Dental Health
Month. It is an opportunity to focus on the importance of
oral health care for children and the lack of access to treat-
ment for many youth. Since its inception in February 2006,
the seven annual Tehama County GKAS events have brought
together volunteers from the dental profession, local agen-
cies and organizations and community members to provide
access to oral health care and education. Over $271,000 in
dental treatment and education have been provided free of
charge to 935 children who were without access to dental
treatment and without insurance.
Parents of youth enrolled in Tehama County Head Start
are required and receive help to establish a dental home
for their children. In the 2010/2011 school year, of the 311
children who were in the program more than 45 days, 100%
had a dental exam in the last 12 months. Out of the children
examined, 38% were identified as needing treatment and
121 of the children (99%) obtained the necessary treatment.
Due to the indefinite suspension of the California Children’s
Dental Disease Prevention Program (CCDDPP), the “SMILES”
Program has not operated since 2009. According to Denti-
Cal, in 2009 sealant use in children ages 6-8 was 41% with
sealed 1st
molars and in ages 12-14 was 38.1% with sealed
1st
or 2nd
molars. Less than half of eligible children in both
age groups received sealants; the need for the return of the
CCDDPP is great.
In December 2009, a “floss cutting” ceremony launched
a new regional Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) that offers access
to a full range of dental care for children 5 years of age and
under and pregnant women. A unique partnership between
First 5 Tehama, Glenn, Butte and Northern Valley Indian
Health, Inc., the MDC provides access to much-needed
dental care in a rural region where according to the UCLA
Center for Health Policy Research’s 2009 California Health
Interview Survey, nearly 13% of children age 3-11 had never
been to a dentist. In Tehama County from July 2008 to June
2012, the MDC provided care to 939 individual patients,
for a total of 2,349 visits and 6,379 services. Oral health
education to prevent oral disease along with increasing the
about the impor-
tance of oral health
care and improv-
ing the community’s
oral health is utiliz-
ing both traditional
and non-traditional
partners that can
provide resources
beyond those of the
oral health com-
munity alone.
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is essential to the overall health and
well-being of every individual. When a child has a seri-
ous emotional disability or an adult has a serious mental
illness, it may prevent them from fulfilling basic roles

20. HEALTHY LIVING
18
MENTALHEALTH such as worker, student, parent or spouse. This can lead
to pervasive feelings of meaninglessness, sorrow, futil-
ity, discouragement and even despair, in addition to the
symptoms creating the disability in the first place. The
TCHSA, Mental Health Division, in partnership with com-
munity-based providers, provides a full range of services
for Medi-Cal recipients and for those clients with no insur-
ance who qualify. Stabilization and referral services are
provided to all county residents in crisis 24/7 regardless
of payment source.
Organizational Providers
In an effort to increase access to mental health ser-
vices by children, TCHSA, Mental Health Division began
partnering with private sector providers in 2004. We
currently have contracts with Children First Foster Fam-
ily Agency and Counseling Center and Remi Vista, Inc. to
provide services to Tehama County clients.
The Children First Counseling Center has a clinical staff
of Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Marriage and Family
and Child Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers
as well as supervised Interns. The common therapeutic
issues treated include depression, anxiety disorders, child
abuse, anger management, couple and family relationship
an intensive wraparound-type service delivery system for
persons who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or
in need of a higher level of service or treatment. These
services focus on age groups 16-25, 26-59 and 60+.
Drop-In Center services, developed by a consumer coun-
cil, are supported by staff at two locations in Red Bluff.
New treatment approaches/programs developed under
MHSA included a revamping of the crisis facility, formerly
known as the Crisis Intervention Clinic (“CIC”). Renamed
the Community Crisis Response Unit (“CCRU”) in 2008,
the CCRU now provides
“Seeking Safety”, an evi-
dence-based therapeutic
intervention that includes
25 topics. Topics focus on
dealing with trauma and
substance abuse issues,
which are often the cause
of the crisis.
Additional services developed under MHSA focus
on Prevention and Early Intervention. These programs
include Nurturing Parenting, TeenScreen and Trauma-
Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
The Nurturing Parenting Program’s purpose is to build
nurturing skills as an alternative to abusive parenting
and child-rearing attitudes and practices. This program
targets families with children ages 0 through 19 with the
aim of stopping the generational cycle of child abuse,
reducing recidivism, reducing juvenile delinquency and
alcohol abuse, and reducing teen pregnancy.
The YES Program (utilizing the Columbia Univer-
sity Teen-Screen Program instrument) identifies middle
school and high school-aged youth in need of mental
health services due to risk for suicide and undetected
mental illness. The program’s main objective is to assist
in the early identification of problems that might not
otherwise come to the attention of professionals.
Additionally, Mental Health offers Trauma-Focused
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a psychosocial treatment
model designed to treat posttraumatic stress and related
emotional and behavioral problems in children and
adolescents. The model has been adapted for use with
children who have a wide array of traumatic experiences,
including domestic violence, traumatic loss, and the often
multiple psychological traumas experienced by children
prior to foster care placement. The focus is on helping
children, youth, and parents overcome the negative effects
of traumatic life events. It has been found to significantly
reduce behaviors related to risk factors and reduces PTSD
symptoms, depression and anxiety.
While the future of MHSA funding is uncertain at this
writing, the funding to date has significantly improved
services to Mental Health Division clients since the imple-
mentation of the Plan.
issues, parenting, divorce and separation,
domestic violence and substance abuse
issues. Remi Vista, Inc. is a private, non-
profit corporation that provides thera-
peutic services for youth and families who
have either been placed in out-of-home
care or who are considered to be at risk
for such placement. As an organizational
provider of specialty mental health ser-
vices, Remi Vista offers individual, group
and family psychotherapy, rehabilitation,
targeted case management, and collateral
services.
Mental Health Services Act
Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA),
was passed by California voters in 2004 and has trans-
formed mental health service delivery in Tehama County,
backfilling gaps in funding, enhancing established pro-
grams and funding new programs. TCHSA, Mental Health
Division, began implementing services in accordance with
the County’s Mental Health Services Act plan in 2007. The
Plan funded construction of the Youth Empowerment
Services (“YES”) Center
at the Walnut Street com-
plex, as well as funding
a remodel of the Mental
Health Outpatient lobby.
The MHSA program
in Tehama County started

21. ALCOHOL&DRUGUSE
HEALTHY LIVING
19
The primary prevention goal outlined in our SPF plan is decreasing
theeaseatwhichTehamaCountyyouthreportaccessingprescription
medication and alcohol.
TCHSA, Drug and Alcohol Division began its “Keep Our Kids
Safe, Lock Up Your Medications” campaign in August of 2010. This
campaignwasdesignedtoincreaseawarenessamongTehamaCounty
residentsoftheextentoftheproblemwhileatthesametimeshowcas-
ing low cost methods available for locking up medications. Partner-
ships were developed with local pharmacies throughout the county,
whichallowedforthedisplayofourlockboxcampaigninpharmacy
lobbies.Informationalquestionnairesonprescriptiondrugabuseare
located at each lock box display. Since August 2010, more than 300
community members have completed these questionnaires.
ManylocalbusinesseshaveshowntheirsupportofTCHSA,Drug
andAlcoholDivisionpreventioneffortsbyallowingtheirstafftopose
foragrouppicture.Thesepicturesareusedtodevelopapersonalized
poster,specifictoeachparticipatingbusiness,withthe“KeepOurKids
Safe, Lock Up Your Medications” slogan. Once created, the posters
areprominentlydisplayedinbusinessesthroughoutTehamaCounty.
Todate,communityandbusinessresponsetothesedrugandalcohol
prevention efforts remains strong.
Drug Courts
In2007,TehamaCountyHealthServiceAgencyinpartnershipwith
TehamaCountyJuvenileandSuperiorCourts,localjudges,attorneys,
Tehama County District Attorney, Tehama County Department of So-
cial Services, Tehama County Sheriff, County Counsel and Probation
implemented Dependency Drug Court and Adult Felon Drug Court.
Drugcourtswerefirstdevelopedinthelate1980’sinresponsetothe
recognitionthatmanynon-violentrepeatcriminaloffendersalsohad
substance abuse issues. The 2004 Talking Points/Statistics on Drug
Courts,NationalAssociationofDrugCourtProfessionalsdefinesdrug
courtas:“Aspecialcourtgivenresponsibilitytohandlecasesinvolving
substance-abusingindividualswhichprovidescomprehensivejudicial
supervision,drugtesting,treatmentservicesandimmediatesanctions
and incentives.”
Dependency Drug Court (DDC) differs from Adult Felon Drug
Court(AFDC)inthatitisavailabletoparentswithchildrenages17and
underifsubstanceabusecontributedtothechildabuseand/orneglect
andresultedininvolvementwithJuvenileCourtdependencyproceed-
ings under Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Since their inception in Tehama County, both the AFDC and the
DDChavebeenextremelyeffectiveintheirrespectivegoalsofreduc-
ing substance use among participants and thus recidivism into the
criminal justice system and the child
welfaresystem.Thesereductionshave
resulted in substantial cost savings to
multiple systems. In 2010, TCHSA,
Drug and Alcohol Division received
asignificantdrugcourtenhancement
grantfromtheBureauofJusticeAssis-
tanceandtheSubstanceAbuseMental
Health Services Administration. This
grantallowedfortheenhancementof
ALCOHOL & DRUG USE
The September 2010 California Needs Assessment Report pre-
pared by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
(ADP)initsexecutivesummarystates,“Thecostofsubstanceuseto
societyhasreachedunsustainablelevels.”Withtheestimatedannual
costofalcoholuseinCaliforniaat$38.4billionandillicitdrugabuse
at $23.8 billion, the combined toll on the state can not be sustained
fromafiscalstandpoint.Recognizingthecostlynatureofaddictionon
manypublicservicesystems,California’spubliclyfundedAlcoholand
Other Drugs (AOD) services system has been on a path over the last
several years to increase effectiveness and cost efficiency of services
tothoseCaliforniansinneed.TheAODfieldhasmademuchprogress
in instituting evidence-based practices, process improvements and
performance measures to increase effectiveness of services.
From their most current data analysis, the ADP has made
the following recommendations for impacting California’s
substance abuse issues:
◆ Increase emphasis on drug and alcohol prevention, using evi-
dence based strategies.
◆ Develop a plan, in response to health care reform, to integrate
mental health and drug and alcohol services with primary care
in Tehama County.
◆ Develop programs and strategies which target youth, to prevent
and reduce the high rate of alcohol use and abuse, as well as
prescription drug and opiate abuse, among this population.
TCHSA, Drug and Alcohol Division, has begun integrating ADP’s
recommendationsintotheirplanningandservices.Theemphasison
substance abuse prevention has increased substantially at both the
federal and state level.
The Tehama County 2011-2012 California Healthy Kids Survey
(CHKS) reveals that 6% of 9th
graders and 13% of 11th
graders re-
ported binge drinking 3 or more days in the last 30 days, 55% of 9th
gradersand79%of11th
gradersperceivedthedifficultyofobtaining
alcohol as easy to very easy. The 2011-2012 CHKS data also showed
that 8% of 11th
graders and 29% of students in non-traditional
schools have used prescription painkillers four or more times. In
2010, TCHSA, Drug and Alcohol Division, in conjunction with the
Tehama County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, formed the Stra-
tegicPreventionPlanningSub-Committee.Undertheauspicesofthis
sub-committee,TCHSA,DrugandAlcoholDivisiondevelopedanew
Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) Plan for years 2010-2013.

22. TOBACCOUSE
HEALTHY LIVING
20
year around 443,000 people die from smoking or exposure
to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million suffer from a
serious illness. Although the number of teenagers in the U.S.
who smoke continues to decline, the rate slowed from 22%
in 2003 to 20% in 2009 according to the Centers for Disease
Prevention.
The Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA has begun its
work to implement the Tobacco Control Act, which gave the FDA
comprehensive authority to regulate tobacco products when it
was passed in June 2009. The ultimate, national and local goal
is to increase the cessation smoking rates in youth and adults.
Our Goals:
★ Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke within multi-unit
housing.
★ Reduce the number of youth who have access to and begin
using tobacco each year.
★ Increase the number of private and public entities that adopt
voluntary smoke-free policies.
★ Increase number of people who quit using tobacco each
year.
The prevalence of adult smoking has declined steadily in
California from 24.9% in 1984 to 13.3% in 2008 as measured
by both the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the
California Adult Tobacco Survey. In 2008, there were approxi-
mately 3.6 million adult smokers in California, according to the
California Department of Public Health. Even though California’s
smoking prevalence continued to decrease, it did not reach the
Healthy People 2010 goal of 12%. On average, the smoking rate
in rural regions of California was much higher, 16% compared
to 10.9% in suburban and urban areas.
The Tehama County Health Services Agency’s, Tobacco
Education Program continues to be available to the public via
annual community outreach events and by walk-in or phone
consultations for cessation information and assistance. Cessa-
tion classes are no longer offered to the general public, however,
information and assistance are provided.
According to the 2006 Surgeon General’s Report, there is no
safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Millions of Ameri-
can adults and children continue to be exposed to secondhand
smoke in their homes and workplaces. Exposure to secondhand
smoke, a known human carcinogen that contains more than
50 cancer-causing chemicals, leads to disease and premature
services and increase in the number of participants admitted to the
existing AFDC Program from 15 to 50.
Treatment Services
The most prevalent illegal drugs in Tehama County continue to
be marijuana and methamphetamine (also known as meth, crank,
speed and crystal). Marijuana remains the most widely used illicit
drug. Among youth, it is second in popularity only to alcohol. Ac-
cordingtothe2009/2010CHKS21%ofTehamaCounty11th
graders
reported using marijuana in the past 30 days. The TCHSA, Drug and
Alcohol Division continues to provide outpatient treatment services
to adolescents at both our Red Bluff office and Corning office.
A drug and alcohol counselor is co-located at Tehama County
Juvenile Detention Center (TCJDC). This individual provides screen-
ings,referralsanddrugandalcoholinformationgroupstothemajority
of juvenile detention center detainees. Exit planning meetings are
scheduled for all youth exiting the TCJDC. The adolescents and their
parents as well as representatives from TCHSA, Drug and Alcohol
Division, TCHSA-Mental Health, Tehama County Probation, TCJDC
andTehamaCountyDepartmentofEducationattendthesemeetings.
Participants leave with a written plan for services.
TCHSA,DrugandAlcoholDivisionoffersseveraltreatmentoptions
forcommunitymemberswithalcoholanddrugproblems.Outpatient
treatment services are available for men, women and youth. More
intensive day treatment services are available when appropriate for
womenwithchildrenage17andunder.Transportationtotreatment
and onsite childcare is available to women, for whom these issues
represent a barrier to treatment. Residential treatment services are
availabletoTehamaCountyresidentsonalimited basis. This service
isprovidedbylicensedfacilitieswithwhomTCHSA,DrugandAlcohol
Divisionhasestablishedacontract.Pregnantwomenneedingresiden-
tial treatment are assisted with entrance into a residential program
under Drug Medi-Cal.
TCHSA, Drug and Alcohol Division staff attends the Tehama
County Health Partnership and the Community, Coordination and
Collaboration (CCC) sub-committee. In 2009, the CCC was part of a
countywideefforttoadopt“NurturingParenting”astheparenteduca-
tioncurriculumofchoiceforTehamaCounty.Aspartofthiseffort,the
majority of TCHSA, Drug and Alcohol Division staff has been trained
as“NurturingParenting”facilitatorsandthisprogramisprovidedto
clients attending drug and alcohol services.
TCHSA, Drug and Alcohol Division and Mental Health Division
remain committed to their joint efforts to provide services to clients
withco-occurringmentalhealthandsubstanceabuseissues.Groups
forindividualsmeetingthesecriteriaareheldatbothDivisionsinthe
Red Bluff and Corning offices.
TOBACCO USE
Smoking continues to be the leading
preventable cause of death and disability
in the United States; and among adult
established smokers, more than 80%
began smoking before age 18. According
to the Center for Chronic Disease, each
For More Information
Tehama County Health Services Agency:
Drug & Alcohol Services .......................527-7893
Tobacco Education Program..................527-6824
Right Road Recovery Inc.......................824-0669
California Smokers Helpline.... 1-800-NO BUTTS