COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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AGENDA TITLE: Department of Social Services Workload Update
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Summary indicators of the Department of Social Services’ Workload
STAFF CONTACT(S): Messrs. Tucker, Elliott, Davis, and Ms. Ralston
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes |
AGENDA DATE: April 1, 2009
ACTION: INFORMATION:
CONSENT AGENDA: ACTION: INFORMATION: x
ATTACHMENTS: Yes
REVIEWED BY:
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BACKGROUND:
In the fall of 2008, the Board requested that the Department of Social Services (ACDSS) provide a periodic summary of workload indicators due to the continuing economic conditions and resulting impact on the department’s programs. The Board specifically requested to see caseload information for Benefit Programs, as well as a multi-year trend of caseload growth and the impact of overtime resulting from this growth.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal One of the Strategic Plan – Enhance Quality of Life for all Citizens
Strategy 1.3 - Increase the ability of those individuals and families, who are living in lower income households, to become self-sufficient.
DISCUSSION:
The following graphical information is provided:
· Attachment A – Applications and case trends for Benefit programs as well as Child Protective, Foster Care and Adult and Adult Protection Services programs;
· Attachment B – Workload Measures for Benefit programs, as well as Adult , Child Care, Child Protection, Foster Care and Adoption Services programs; and
· Attachment C – Overtime hours and overtime payouts for selected programs
In terms of applications and case trends for Benefit programs as well as Child Protective, Foster Care and Adult and Adult Protection Services programs, both applications received and active cases are trending upwardly for the period October 2007 – March 2009 with the exception of Medicaid applications. For the most part, employee caseloads have also increased during this period and remain above state standards. The only exception to these trends is the Foster Care caseload which has dropped slightly below state standards in recent months.
Considering the period March of 2008 – March 2009, ACDSS has witnessed the following changes in workload:
· Food Stamp Applications: increase of 34%
· TANF applications: increase of 15%
· Food Stamp active cases: increase of 15.6%
· TANF active cases: increase of 47%
· On-going CPS cases: increase of 59%
As indicated to the Board during its FY09/10 budget work sessions, these caseload increases are occurring at the same time that the County is expanding its hiring freeze to 55 positions through vacancies and retirements. To attain this number of positions, the County is developing plans to reallocate staff across departments, being mindful of the impact on workloads as well as public health and safety needs. As vacancies occur within ACDSS, the County will consider these factors to ensure that the most critical positions are addressed to ensure that services continue to be delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible. Efforts are already underway to fill vacant Office Associate positions in this manner; however, more technical positions requiring a specified college degree such as Child Protective Service Social Worker may require external recruitment.
In addition to the information provided in this summary, staff provides annual reports to the Board showing five-year trends in most program areas. The 2008 annual report was presented to the Board at its January 7, 2009 meeting.
BUDGET IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDATIONS:
This executive summary is for the Board’s information only.
ATTACHMENTS