Title
Receive and accept the quarterly report of expenditures and caseload data for the Department of Social Services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
Receive and accept the quarterly report of expenditures and caseload data for the Department of Social Services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The attached report represents actual caseload and expenditure data through December 2018. The report compares data month-to-month and year-to-year for three years. In addition to administrative costs, the programs highlighted are:
• General Assistance CalWORKs
• Medi-Cal CalFresh (Food Stamps)
• In-Home Support Services (IHSS) Out-of-Home Care (Foster Care and Adoptions)
ü General Assistance (GA) program caseload data reflects a slight increase from September 2018 and December 2018 is at 451 individuals. This represents a 6.4% increase over last year at the same time and is remaining steady for current year. In contrast, expenditures are down by an average of 10.9% when compared to last year. This decrease is due to an increase in recovery of retroactive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments received for General Assistance customers that offsets previously issued General Assistance benefits.
ü CalWORKs caseload increased from 2,847 in September 2018 to 3,287 in December 2018. This reflects the typical winter seasonal trend when applications for assistance and active cases increase due to decreased employment opportunities. However, from a year to year perspective, there is an overall caseload decline of 12.2% from this time last year which may be the result of recent developments related to immigration and proposed changes to what constitutes a “Public Charge” along with improving economic conditions. Expenditures has a corresponding decrease attributable to the decline in caseload.
ü Medi-Cal caseload decreased from 76,546 in September 2018 to 74,592 in December 2018. However, this reflects an increase of 1.2% when compared to December 2017. Overall, there are more than 171,000 individuals receiving Medi-Cal health insurance through the Department of Social Services public assistance eligibility systems.
ü CalFresh caseload has a slight increase from 16,261 in September 2018 to 16,592 in December 2018 due to seasonal fluctuations and may also be the result of recent developments related to immigration and proposed changes to what constitutes a “Public Charge” and improving economic conditions. This is a decrease of 10.9% when compared to December 2017.
ü IHSS paid hours increased from 449,201 in September 2018 to 463,657 in December 2018. The IHSS paid hours continue to rise which is reflective of the 8.7% increase when compared to December 2017. The increase in cases and hours attributes to the corresponding increase in expenditures in comparison to last year.
ü Out of Home Care includes cases in Foster Care (including youth opting to stay in Foster Care to age 21), Probation, and Adoption Assistance. The caseload is trending slightly lower from 1,221 in September 2018 to 1,207 in December 2018 with an overall decline of 2.0% over the prior year. Whereas, expenditures are 7.2% higher than December 2017 due to increased foster care costs due to the implementation of a new rate structure as required by the Continuum of Care Reform, as well as an increase in adoption cases which results in increased adoption assistance expenditures. The cost per child in placement varies greatly and depends upon the level of care required and additional services needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. The caseload fluctuations and commensurate expenditures do not closely correlate due to these variables.
ü Overall, the Department’s public assistance entitlement caseloads decreased from 97,321 in September 2018 to 96,129 active cases in December 2018. This represents a decrease of 1.6% when compared to this time last year. Operational costs for December 2018 increased to $9,389,171 as compared to $8,562,804 for September 2018. The increase is due to an extra pay period in the month of December 2018 which is typical of previous expenditure patterns. Additionally, the total quarter ending December 2018 reflects an overall increase due to the posting of the annual COWCAP expense.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Probation placement costs are included in Foster Care.
FINANCING:
Caseload trends are mostly consistent with the trends built into the FY 2018-19 Budget. Sufficient appropriations and County General Fund contributions are currently available. Social Services is monitoring the Out of Home Care Budget closely because the mid-year projection reflected an increase of $1.5 million for foster care costs due to the implementation of a new rate structure as required by the Continuum of Care Reform, as well as an increase in adoption costs. The Department may return to the Budget Committee at a later date to request an increase in appropriations for Out of Home Care. Federal revenue and sales tax realignment funds is anticipated to cover these increased costs.
Prepared by: Becky Cromer, Interim Finance Director, x4404
Approved by: Henry Espinosa, Acting Director, xx4430
Attachments: 2018_12 Caseload and Expenditure Report