AG 2003 12 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: ICilt IlIlU5 (;llUrlrYI HBRrll CAROLINA John Day, County Jim Cook, DSS Directo,f 11-25-03 Request for Four Income M~ntenance Caseworker Positions I am writing to request that the Board of Commissioners consider, at its December meeting, the establishment of four additional Income Maintenance Caseworker II positions needed to staff the increased and ongoing workload of the Department of Social Services. The request involves the use of grant funds from the Cabarms Community Care Plan, funds currently budgeted but not needed for Medicaid program costs, and 50% matching federal administrative funds. Additional County funds are not requested. Background As the attached chart entitled "Comparison of Caseloads and Staffing" reflects, the number of individuals and families receiving assistance from income maintenance programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid has increased 20% in the past 15 months, with the most dramatic increases having occurred since July with the closing of Pillowtex. This increase in caseloads is expected to continue in the coming months. A substantial decrease in caseloads is not within s~ght as the recovery from this local economic disaster is expected to be a protracted process. In June of 2002, a comparison of our caseloads to the average from 13 other demographically similar counties, a measure that should represent a manageable workload, showed that our caseloads here at Cabarrus were 6% higher. Then, and in the months since, our staff has struggled to keep pace with the increasing workload. Efficiency ratings in this period have been very high, though accuracy and timeliness measures have been concerning. Through staff additions, and the internal reassignment of some positions, we have been able to increase the staff of our Economic Services Division by 5.25 FTE's, or 11% during this period. Still, on average, individual caseloads have increased 8% dunng in this 15 months. By comparison, then, to the average caseloads of the other 13 counties at a point at which their workloads were manageable, our staff's workload is now 14% higher. We have reached a point at which it is essential that we add staff in order to do the work and sustain our effort. It will require the addition of four Income Maintenance Caseworkers II to reduce the average workload for all staff to a more manageable 311 cases. Request I am requesting that the Board of Commissioners approve the addition of four Income Maintenance Caseworker II positions effective January 1, 2004. As the budget amendment request reflects, one-half of the cost of one position ($7,638) will be paid through a grant from the Cabarrus Community Care Plan. The 50% non-federal matching share for the other three posmons will be paid through a $22,915 reduction in Medicaid program costs. (Medicaid Department of Social Services 1303 South Cannon Blvd Kannapolis, NC 28083 (704) 920-1400