By Lookout Staff

November 8, 2011 -- A "dramatic" shift in responsibilities from the state to counties and local governments is the subject of Santa Monica College's Public Policy Institute's public forum Thursday, November 10.

"REALIGNMENT: It's Not Just for Chiropractors Any More" will explore how the shift will affect everything from low level prisoners and probation to allocation of health and human services dollars.

"California has already begun to transfer responsibility for prisoners and probation to the counties, even as funding remains questionable," said former State Senator Kuehl. "In the coming year, the
State is poised to hand off child welfare, health and human services, childcare and more.

"The implications for all of us impacted by the actions of local governments will be dramatic," she said.

Kuehl, who is the institute's founding director, will speak and moderate a panel composed of four high-level officials from Governor Brown's administration and Los Angeles County.

The panelists are Diane Cummins, special advisor to Governor Brown on State and Local Realignment; Dr. Michael Katz, director of the LA County Department of Health Services; Phil Ansell, director of the LA County Department of Social Services, and Sheila Williams, Deputy CEO for Public Safety Realignment, LA County.

Kuehl and the panelists will explain the various changes surrounding this realignment, followed by audience discussion.

The free open forum will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Room 123 at SMC's Bundy Campus, 3171 S. Bundy Drive. Parking is also free.

The ongoing mission of the Institute is to engage the community in analyzing issues of public policy, especially those that affect local jurisdictions like cities and counties, and to provide forums such as this for civic engagement.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To RSVP, email ppi.rsvp@smc.edu. For questions, call (310) 434-3429.

For more information about the institute and its activities, please call (310) 434-3429 or email Kuehl.website@gmail.com.