Long-term care: CalCareNet.

Existing law requires the California Health and Human Services Agency, by January 1, 2005, and with recommendations from the Long-Term Care Council, to set standards for CalCareNet, which is a statewide Internet-based application, with the goal of creating an Internet Web site that links counties and planning service areas, and provides information on the long-term care services available to the consumer. Existing law provides that state funds shall not be appropriated for this purpose, and that the agency is not required to undertake these tasks unless it receives federal or private funds. This bill would require the agency to update the standards for a CalCareNet Internet Web site and create a CalCareNet Internet Web site that, in addition to the provisions above, provides information to consumers, caregivers, and health and social service providers on how to effectively navigate long-term care services and that assists consumers, caregivers, and health and social service providers in making informed decisions relating to long-term care services. The bill would delete the requirement that the agency take these actions with the recommendations from the Long-Term Care Council. The bill would require the CalCareNet Internet Web site to satisfy specified requirements, including that the Internet Web site be accessible by persons with disabilities, culturally sensitive, and accessible in multiple languages. The bill would require the agency, in connection with developing and expanding the CalCareNet Internet Web site, to, among other things, examine alternative funding sources and mechanisms to sustain and expand portal capacity over time. The bill would delete the prohibition on appropriating state funds for the purposes of these provisions, and instead require the agency, in order to develop and launch the CalCareNet Internet Web site in the most cost-effective and efficient manner, to take specified actions, including, among others, to consider the approach and execution of existing state and regional Internet Web sites with similar objectives. The bill would require the agency to develop a system that enables counties and planning service areas to contract with the agency, for a reasonable fee, for Internet Web site development and maintenance services.