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Executive Director Trent Rhorer reported the Mayor’s Office directed the Human Services Agency (Department of Human Services and Department of Aging and Adult Services) to prepare a ten percent or $4.8 million (adjusted) Fiscal Year 2005-2006 budget contingency reduction plan. Staff prepared a budget contingency reduction plan totaling $3,720,955. The Aging and Adult Services Commission recently considered a separate contingency plan totaling $856,256. Human Services Agency staff identified those programs and services where, if cuts were taken, other services could be provided to minimize the impact on clients. In addition the Agency successfully leveraged $1,520,000 in new Federal IV-E revenues. The $ l,520,000 in new revenues make up 39 percent of the total contingency plan and relieved the Department of Human Services from making program service cuts in a like amount.
Deputy Director Phil Arnold presented an overview of the proposed contingency reduction plan.
Margaret Baran, with the In Home Support Services (IHSS) Consortium, opposed a reduction of the IHSS Consortium contract hours.
Marie Jobling, with the Coalition of Agencies Serving the Elderly, opposed the cutting the IHSS Consortium contract and dental benefits.
Abby Coursolle, with Planning for Elders, IHSS and Health Task Force, urged continued support for in-home services.
Donna Calame, Executive Director, IHSS Public Authority, expressed concern re the change in dental benefits.
Discussion followed and department staff responded to questions.
On motion by Vice President Martinez, seconded and carried, the Commission excused Commissioner Murphy from the vote related to the CalWORKs Scholar’s Program and the Child Care Wages Plus Quality Implementation to avoid a conflict of interest.
On motion by Commissioner Murphy, seconded and carried by a vote of three to one with Vice President Martinez voting in dissent, the Commission approved the proposed Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget Contingency Reduction Plan with the following exceptions:
1. CalWORKs Scholar’s Program and the Child Care Wages Plus Quality Implementation items excluded from the vote and to be considered separately;
2. IHSS Consortium Contract Cap at 700,000 hours – item deleted from the contingency reduction plan;
3. IHSS Public Authority Health and Dental Benefits Reform – increased to $1,700,000/General Fund Share $850,000;
4. Foster Care Shadows Program – moved to Tier 3 of the contingency reduction plan.
On motion by Commissioner Dearman, seconded and carried with three affirmative votes, Commissioner Murphy having been excused from the vote, the Commission approved the following:
1. CalWORKs Scholar’s Program - moved to Tier 3 of the contingency reduction plan;
2. Child Care Wages Plus Quality Implementation
See Attachment One
By general consent, the Commission asked that a letter accompany the Budget Contingency Reduction Plan noting the Commission’s support of the Mayor’s efforts to generate revenues to compensate for the current budget dilemma in funding services for the poor and needy.
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