The Health Services Department is requesting to transition one Medical Social Worker-Project position #14945 and its incumbent into the Merit System classification of Medical Social Worker II. The incumbent has met the provisions for the transition from project to the merit system in accordance with PMR Section 1603.1 - Transfer of Project Positions. Section 1603.1 of the Personnel Management Regulations states that when the Board of Supervisors establishes as regular service a program initially established by the Board for a specific limited period as part of an approved project, employees who have served in Project positions for at least one (1) year shall be included in the merit system if the Director of Human Resources recommends such inclusion, the Board of Supervisor approves the classification and its addition to the merit system.   
  
The incumbent of position #14945 was appointed on June 6, 2016, from an eligible list on an open competitive basis and has served more than one (1) year in that classification. This position is currently providing medical case management for HIV-positive County residents through the Ryan White Medical Case Management program. Responsibilities include connecting participants to HIV medical care and preventing spread. Additionally, Medical Social Workers coordinate on behalf of participants for essential resources, including food vouchers, utilities, and housing. The Alameda and Contra Costa planning council consistently ranks Medical Case Management as the #1 or #2 priority service, which means it would be the last service to cut during a financial crisis (after medical care). Funding has been stable for many years, including this project position.