AG 2003 02 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ICi AIIltU5 CI1UHIYI NnRTH £AfllILINA MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: John Day, Interim County Manli~er ?~/,f / Jim Cook, Social Services Direc~ixr'~ iff~''''~ 1-28-03 ~ Request the BOC Authorize Two New StaffPositions I am writing to ask that the Board of Commissioners consider, at the February meeting, our budget amendment request which would create two new Income Maintenance Caseworker positions to help with the dramatic increase in the Medicaid and Food Stamp Program caseloads we have experienced in recent months. I am proposing the use of funding available to the department which would enhance the reimbursement rate on the cost of these positions to as much as 90% federal, leaving a county cost for the remainder of the year at $2,592. (The budget amendment request, assumes a more conservative match rate of 82% federal, at a county cost of $4,587. This matching amount is provided through reduction of already-budgeted funds.) As the amendment affects revenues and two positions are requested, this will need to be considered by the Board of Commissioners. Back~round The attached chart entitled "Comparison of Caseload and Staffing...July 01 and December 02" reflects that caseloads for Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Medicaid Transportation have increased from 11,516, to 15,055, an increase of 31%, during this 18-month period. Staff available to handle this caseload has decreased a net 10 positions, or 17%, during this same period, especially with the dramatic budget cuts made in March 02'. Our staff in income maintenance programs has performed admirably. They have reorganized and instituted specialization to handle heavier workloads. Resource management (industrial engineering) measures taken monthly show productivity at above 120%. However, accuracy (82.71%), and especially timeliness (76.54%) of work, have been persistent problems. We have substantial concern that the county is vulnerable to state quality control-identified paybacks for errors. We have just recently had corrective action requirements in the Food Stamp Program, and we failed the December report card for timeliness (of processing and issuance) in the Medicaid Program. Citizens who apply for assistance are waiting far too long to be seen. Staff earned a total of 235 hours of comp time in December, the equivalent of 1 and a third additional staff members. Staff members are having difficulty dealing with the heavy workload, extra hours of work, and constant stress. We have available some $22,000 in federal "de-linking" funds which can be used to enhance the normal reimbursement rate for staff from 50% to 75% or 90%, if the staff Department of Social Services 1303 South Cannon Blvd Kannapohs, NC 28083 (704)920-1400