Title
Human Services Department recommending adoption of Resolution 105-2008 authorizing the Senior Day Care Program to expand the hours of operation from 7:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. to better serve the needs of working caregivers; and adoption of a new fee schedule that incorporates increased rates necessary for the operation of both the Spring Street facility and the El Dorado Hills facility to become effective July 1, 2008.
FUNDING: The Senior Day Care Program is funded primarily by fees for service, MAA revenues and community donations, augmented by occasional grants and a small General Fund contribution.
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BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$ 0.00 |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$ |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$ 0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
No change. Projected revenues and appropriations and the allocation of additional staff for the anticipated opening of the El Dorado Hills site and expansion of hours at both locations were approved in the Department's FY 2007/08 County Budget Request.
Background:
The Senior Day Care Program has been operating successfully since 1989 on a fee for service basis. A new fee structure was approved by the Board in April of 1997, establishing daily fees for regular attendees, on a sliding scale based on frequency of attendance, with a slightly higher agency reimbursement rate and with provision for an annual increase of $1.00 per day to offset annual inflation. Members reserve days and pay in advance, which allows for full utilization of space and staff. Agencies that provide payment for their eligible clients to attend Senior Day Care operate with funding sources that require payment after services are provided, necessitating the higher agency rate. The basic rate structure has not varied since 1997.
Reason for Recommendation:
Senior Day Care offers two related benefits to the community, a comprehensive program of day care that helps dependent seniors and adults to live at home and remain functional to the extent possible and respite for their careproviders from the 24/7 duties associated with caring for a loved one in the home. While the majority of participants are transported to and from the Center using El Dorado Transit, this option is not viable for some participants due to the location of their residence and/or the caregiver's work schedule. Buses typically arrive between 9:15 am and 10:00 am and depart in the afternoon between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm, within the parameters of the proposed new Basic Program Hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Expanding the hours of operation will enable more working caregivers and their dependents to access services without having to make inconvenient or unacceptable adjustments to their regular work schedule. It is anticipated that a small, but significant percentage of participants at both sites will take advantage of the expanded hours of operation. Incorporating a fee schedule that imposes an additional charge for those taking advantage of the new extended hours will offset the cost of staffing the center to ensure a safe and protective environment with the staffing ratio mandated by licensing requirements. Implementing the new schedule and rates effective July 1, 2008 will enable staff to provide adequate 60-day notice to current participants to allow them to consider and exercise their new options. The notification letter is attached, as are the resolution and a separate schedule that provides a comparison between the current and proposed program hours and fee schedule structure.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
Board Clerk to provide Human Services, Community Services Division at Briw Road, with a certified Resolution.
Senior Day Care Program staff will send notices on May 1, 2008 to current individual and agency participants advising them of the new options for expanded attendance hours and corresponding rates and will implement the new hours of operation and fee schedule effective July 1, 2008.
Contact: Doug Nowka, 621-6163
Concurrences: N/A