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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 030-2022 to:
1) Approve the deletion of one (1.0) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) vacant Social Service Aide allocation; and
2) Approve the addition of one FTE (1.0) Social Worker I/II allocations in the Health and Human Services Agency.
FUNDING: 24% Federal Funds; 23% State Funds; 53% Social Services Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On June 22, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Personnel Allocation Resolution 064-2021, thereafter amended September 28, 2021 by Resolution 124-2021 which reflects HHSA’s personnel allocations for FY 2021-22.
On July 16, 2021, the Child Welfare Services (CWS) Division submitted a classification request to delete two (2) vacant Social Service Aide allocations and add two (2) Social Worker I/II allocations to Human Resources. Social Service Aide’s in CWS have historically had primary responsibility for transporting clients and for scheduling and supervising visits for families receiving family reunification services. While this has been the norm historically, over the past 10 years, the landscape in foster care services has been shifting its standards for service, which is thereby shifting our staffing needs. Since 2010, the total kids in foster care has steadily declined, as well as the number of new kids brought into foster care each year, resulting in a nearly 50% decrease of kids in foster care. While the number of kids in foster care have declined, the numbers of families being served through voluntary and court-ordered family maintenance cases has increased. This shift increases the need for social workers and reduces the need for social service aides to do transports and visitation. Additionally, effective October 2021, the Family's First Prevention Services Act began implementation, which places an increased emphasis on the provision of prevention services to families i...
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