Nevada County Municipal Code Ch. 9 Health and Human Services Agency

There is hereby established in the County of Nevada a Health and Human Services Agency. The Health and Human Services Agency is composed of the following independent departments: Behavioral Health; Housing and Community Services; Public Defender; Public Health; Probation; Social Services; and Child Support Services.

All duties, responsibilities, and authorities assigned or delegated by motion, resolution, or ordinance, or other legal authority, to the Human Services Agency, Community Health, Mental Health, Public Social Services, or to Adult and Family Services shall hereby be assigned or delegated to the Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Social Services.

(Ord. 2002. (07/13/1999); Ord. 2350. (07/18/2021); Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The Health and Human Services Agency shall be responsible for the various necessary functions concerning mental health, substance use disorder prevention and treatment, housing, human assistance, Public Defender, public health, probation, Veterans and Social Services provided to the citizens of Nevada County, and act as coordinator for the activities of Child Support Services Department as directed by the Board of Supervisors and the County Executive Officer and according to law.

The duties and services to be provided by the Health and Human Services Agency may be amended, from time to time, by the Board of Supervisors and State statute, but shall include the following:

Provide internal departmental administrative, clerical and accounting support; determine eligibility for various social services and medical assistance programs; maintain a fraud investigation and prevention program; issue food and emergency assistance; and contract as appropriate with community-based organizations for services to low-income, disadvantaged or special needs persons.

A. Administer and provide substance use disorder prevention and treatment services.

B. Provide and arrange for in-home assistance care to needy aged, blind or disabled persons to allow them to remain in their own homes rather than requiring more expensive out-of-home care.

C. Develop, support and assure the availability of a full range of public health services, and public health nursing, including prevention, immunization control and education regarding infectious diseases. Provision of services to maintain and improve adult and children's health, including maternal and child health services, family planning, child health and disability prevention services, California Children's Services, services for disabled children, Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), vital statistics, and senior home visits.

D. Contract for the provision and authorization of medical care services for indigent and lower-income County residents.

E. Provide, assess and authorize mental health outpatient, residential and inpatient treatment services, prevention and client support services in the community and oversee a coordinated, multi-departmental system of care for youth at risk of out-of-home placement.

F. Deliver various social and protective services to adults and children, including child and adult protective services, adoptions, family preservation, public guardian/conservatorships and emergency assistance.

G. Administer an educational, training and job placement program with support services to assist aid recipients in securing unsubsidized employment.

H. Provide financial assistance to needy and disadvantaged families and individuals under a variety of Federal, State and local programs.

I. Provide assistance and advocacy for veterans and their dependents in filing for Veterans' Administration, State and local veterans' benefits; develop, file and track claims.

J. Administer and provide programs designed to assist low income and moderate-income families through energy and support programs.

K. Provide and coordinate outreach and supportive services to homeless and at risk of homeless residents including supporting the Adult and Family Services Commission, administer Community Services and Development Block Grants and approve and fund First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance and Tennant-based Rental Assistance programs.

L. Provide information and access to housing and community services.

M. Administer services and functions of the Probation Department.

N. Provide administrative support to the Public Defender's Office

O. Accept judicial appointment as the Public Guardian.

P. Provide administrative support to the Regional Department of Child Support Services.

(Ord. 2202. (07/13/1999); Ord. 2350. (07/18/2012); Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors and under the general direction of the County Executive Officer, the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency shall be the administrative head of the Agency. The Director shall administer the Agency and carry out general policies of the County Executive Officer and the Board of Supervisors, and shall plan, organize, and direct all activities of the Agency in accordance with State and County laws and regulations. The Director shall report directly to, and serve at the will and pleasure of, the County Executive Officer.

(Ord. 2202. (07/13/1999); Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

There is hereby established in the County of Nevada, the Behavioral Health Department under the authority of the Department of Health Care Services contained in Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 100100—101997.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The County of Nevada Behavioral Health Department provides culturally competent mental health and substance use disorder services and treatment. These services include, but are not limited to: Assess and authorize mental health outpatient, residential and inpatient treatment services; provide mental health client support services in the community; administer and provide substance use disorder prevention and treatment services; develop and oversee crisis systems of care programs; administer and participate in collaborative court programs; participate in a coordinated, multi-departmental system of care for youth at risk of out-of-home placement; and any and all other requirements and duties set by Federal, State or local law.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The Behavioral Health Department shall be administered by the Behavioral Health Director, who shall also act as the Director of Local Mental Health. Under the general administrative direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director, the Director of Behavioral Health shall plan, organize, direct and coordinate the programs and services regarding mental health and substance use disorder needs and services. The Director of Local Mental Health shall meet all of the standards of education and experience established by the Director of Health Care Services as per Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 5751.1.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The Mental Health and Substance Use Advisory Board is comprised of consumers, family members and community members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Advisory Board provides advice, guidance and recommendations related to policies and procedures concerning the target population. The vision of the Advisory Board is to promote and support policies and programs that effectively improve the lives of persons with severe mental illness and or substance use and improve community understanding.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

There is hereby established in the County of Nevada, the Housing and Community Services Division within the Health and Human Services Agency.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The County of Nevada Housing and Community Services Division shall provide assistance in securing housing and information in various housing programs for individuals and families who qualify as low-income and/or who are experiencing homelessness; mental illness; or substance use disorder; contract as appropriate with community-based organizations for services to low-income, disadvantaged or special needs persons; and including but not limited to any and all other duties set by Federal, State or local law or resolution.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The County of Nevada Housing and Community Services Division shall be administered by the Housing and Community Services Division Director, under the general administrative direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

There is hereby established the Office of Public Defender for the County. The Office of Public Defender is established within the Health and Human Services Agency.

(Ord. 252. (08/01/1961); Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

Except as herein otherwise provided, all of the provisions of Cal. Gov't Code §§ 27700—27711, as the same now are or as they may hereafter be amended, shall apply to the Office of Public Defender, including but not limited to, upon request of the defendant or order of the court, defend any person who is not financially able to employ counsel and who is charged with the commission of any contempt or offense triable in the superior courts, with applicable statutory restrictions.

(Ord. 252 (08/01/1961); Ord. 1299. (05/13/1985); Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The Public Defender shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Supervisors as per Cal. Gov't Code § 27703. The Public Defender shall meet all of the qualifications found in Cal. Gov't Codes §§ 27700—27711. This position shall be under the general direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director.

(Ord. 252. (08/01/1961); Ord. 1299. (05/13/1985); Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

There is hereby established in the County of Nevada, the Public Health Department within the Health and Human Services Agency.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The County of Nevada Public Health Department prevents disease, promotes and supports optimal health and wellness, and protects the community against disasters, as well as any and all other duties set by Federal, State or local law or resolution. Programs within the Public Health Department include public health nursing; communicable disease control; immunizations; substance prevention and disease prevention programs; vital statistics and records; and public health emergency preparedness programs. Program changes may be made from time to time to address the public health needs of the County of Nevada.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

A. Director of Public Health. The County of Nevada Public Health Department shall be administered by the Public Health Director, under the general administrative direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director.

B. Public Health Officer. The Public Health Officer of the County of Nevada is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and functions as staff or contractor of the Public Health Department. The Public Health Officer serves at the will of the Board of Supervisors and is under the general direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023); Ord. 2551. (12/16/2025))

Editor's note— Ord. 2551, § II(Exh. A), adopted Dec. 16, 2025, amended § 2.09.160 and in doing so changed the title of said section from "Position of the Director of Public Health" to "Position of the Director of Public Health and Public Health Officer," as set out herein.

There is hereby established in the County of Nevada, the Nevada County Probation Department. The Probation Department is established within the Health and Human Services Agency.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The County of Nevada Probation Department shall perform the duties and discharge the obligations as provided for by law. These include but are not limited to duties listed in Cal. Gov't Code § 27771 which involve all duties regarding juvenile probation; supervision of adults subject to probation orders; administer community-based corrections programming; and make recommendations to the court, as well as and any and all other duties set by Federal, State or local law or resolution.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The County of Nevada Probation Department shall be administered by the Chief Probation Officer, who is appointed by the County of Nevada Board of Supervisors. This position shall be under the general direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

There is hereby established in the County of Nevada the Department of Social Services within the Health and Human Services Agency.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The Department of Social Services offers vital human services to the citizens of the County of Nevada. Programs within the Department of Social Services may include: Adult Protective Services; Child Welfare Services; Employment and Training; In Home Supportive Services; Public Assistance; Public Guardian; Veterans Services and other programs as developed to meet the needs of the community.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The County of Nevada Social Services Department shall be administered by the Social Services Director, under the general administrative direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director.

The Veterans Services Officer shall be under the general administrative direction of the Social Services Director and meet the qualifications of Cal. Mil. & Vet. Code § 970.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

There is hereby established the Office of Public Guardian for the County of Nevada, within the Health and Human Services Agency.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The Duties and Responsibilities of the Public Guardian are to safeguard the lives and property of Conservatees who cannot care for themselves when no other alternative is available.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

The Director of the Department of Social Services shall serve as, and is hereby appointed or their qualified designee, shall serve as, and is hereby appointed, Public Guardian of the County. They may deputize subordinates to serve as Assistant Public Guardian, Chief Deputy Public Guardian, and Deputy Public Guardian. The Public Guardian shall act under the general direction of the Health and Human Services Agency Director.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

Public funds may be expended on behalf of a Conservatee in accordance with the Nevada County Health and Human Services Agency General Assistance Regulations Manual, adopted by the Board of Supervisors, through the general authority provided for in Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 17000—17410.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))

Any applicant for or recipient of General Assistance who believes that General Assistance has been improperly denied by the County Department of Social Services or that General Assistance has been granted by the Department in a lesser amount than required by the standards of General Assistance, may appeal in the manner prescribed by the Nevada County Health and Human Services General Regulations Manual or State statute governing public assistance benefits.

(Ord. 2525. (06/13/2023))