The California system?

At a lunch meeting this last Wednesday, an elected public official made the comment that the new Regional Counsel system will work, as it already works in California. I was not aware of that, so am looking for information on it.

Can any of you help me out with that?

The thing is, what I do find doesn't mesh with the comment. Take this for example:

This page provides information about Placer County’s Assigned Counsel Program. Occasionally, a case arises where Placer County’s contracted primary Public Defender and first and second level conflict firms must declare a legal conflict of interest, so they cannot defend persons financially unable to employ private counsel. The Assigned Counsel Program establishes a process which enables the Superior Court to access and appoint an attorney from a list of interested pre-qualified attorneys to provide defense services.