To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Approve a Supplemental Budget for Fund 1110 Budget Unit 518 Foster Care for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a supplemental budget request for fund 1110, budget unit 518, Foster Care, for an additional $4,000,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2018-19. (4/5 Vote Required)
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund 1110
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is mandated to administer Foster Care (FC) and Aid to Adoptions Programs (AAP). These programs provide assistance to children, families and certified foster care/group home facilities who provide a safe foster home or who adopt children through the Child Welfare System. Costs included under the administration of these programs include FC and AAP assistance payments. With implementation of the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) by California Department of Social Services (CDSS), assistance payments, which are based on a child’s needs, were increased on July 1, 2018. The Basic Rate range increased from $923.00-$1,235.00 to $960.00-$1,284.00 per month per child, and the most commonly used Group Home Rate range went from $7,629-$10,810.00 to $8,593-$11,238 per month per child. Starting in January 2019, almost all of the group homes that serve the county became certified as Short Term Residential Treatment Programs (STRTP) which has a STRTP Group Home Rate of $12,993.00 per month per child. The California state licensing of the STRTPs has commonly been backdated to the institution’s application date, resulting in substantial supplemental assistance payments paid to STRTP placements during FY 2018-19.
Due to the increased assistance payment rates and a dramatic rise in Foster Care case counts (up 130% compared to last fiscal year), a supplemental budget is needed to fund 1110, budget unit 518, object code 3127 to cover mandated Foster Care assistance payments.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The requested supplemental budget will increase fund 1110, budget unit 518 by $4,000,000 to cover the mandated Foster Care assistance payments. There is an increase of $4,000,000 in Foster Care revenue, and a corresponding increase of $4,000,000 in Foster Care expenditures. Additional revenues in fund 1110 are expected as Foster Care and Aid to Adoptions assistance payments are both mandated and supported by federal and state mandates, by federal Title IV-E and state 2011 Realignment funding.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt County Auditor-Controller
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached supplemental budget. This alternative is not recommended. The supplemental budget is necessary to allow for payment of mandated assistance payments in fund 1110, budget unit 518 through the end of the current FY 2018-19.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Supplemental Budget to 1110-518 Foster Care
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: 19-769