January 19, 1999

The Honorable Board of Supervisors
County of Los Angeles
383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dear Supervisors:

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (ALL DISTRICTS AFFECTED)(4 VOTES)

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD:

PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

On December 15, 1998, the Board approved the transfer of $5 million from Provisional Financing Uses to the DCFS Administration budget, enabling the Department to meet its minimum match requirement to fully access both the State Basic Child Welfare Services Allocation and the EWRA. At that time the Board approved 228 positions which DCFS had identified as their most critical and immediate need. This subsequent action recommends an additional 254 support and administrative positions. The proposed funding also provides for space and equipment needs related to the new positions, as well as department-wide computer needs and costs associated with services provided by other County departments.

JUSTIFICATION

Over the last several years, Children's Social Worker (CSW) positions, essential to meeting the caseload growth demands, increased from 2,051 budgeted positions in1995-96 to 2,764 budgeted positions in 1998-99. However, support positions have not increased commensurately. Additionally, increased mandated requirements and the implementation of a new technological system, CWS/CMS, have further exacerbated the need for support staff. Therefore, the Department plans to use186 Intermediate Typist Clerks (ITCs) in juvenile court services, regional operation offices, the emergency response command post, and the child abuse hotline to alleviate the additional workload and permit CSWs to shift more of their focus to case management.

The Department has also identified the following areas of critical staffing need:

- 2 positions: out of home care;

- 18 positions: personnel, payroll, and space management;

- 24 positions: out-of-home-care evaluation, juvenile court services, and special studies;

- 6 positions: Grandma's House project;

- 6 positions: management information systems and adoptions division support; and

- 12 positions: budget, finance, and revenue enhancement.

As discussed in the December 15, 1998 Board letter, DCFS is confident that the State will continue to fund the EWRA next fiscal year. Notwithstanding DCFS's confidence in the ongoing funding for these positions, as a precautionary measure, we are proposing that the positions be hired as "N" (i.e., grant-funded items; per the County Code, these positions can be terminated at the expiration of the relevant grant). The only exception is the hiring of "C" Intermediate Typist Clerk temporary items in the court liaison unit and at the emergency response command post, as requested by DCFS.

In addition to the 254 positions, the augmentation also funds the following major items:

Services and Supplies

- $4.1 million for the expansion of child care services

- $4.1 million for technology enhancements

- $2.4 million for services provided by other County departments

- $2.6 million for space needs for new staffing

Other Charges

- $1.7 million to increase the number of families served in the Family Preservation Program

- $5.6 million to provide children with initial out of home care in the community

Fixed Assets

- $1.2 million for technology equipment related to CWS/CMS

The Department of Human Resources has reviewed and approved the proposed positions, and the Chief Information Officer has reviewed and approved the proposed information system enhancements.

FISCAL IMPACT

Approval of the attached appropriation adjustment will increase the DCFS Administration budget by $25.2 million.

FINANCING

Funding sources for the Administration budget include $10.3 million in Federal IV-E (foster care and administration) funds and $14.9 million in State EWRA funds.

IMPACT ON CURRENT SERVICES (OR PROJECTS)

Approval of the appropriation adjustment will enable DCFS to provide the support and administrative staff needed for the Children's Social Workers and enable the department to continue to enhance services for the abused and neglected children of Los Angeles County.

Respectfully submitted,

DAVID E. JANSSEN
Chief Administrative Officer

DEJ:LMJ
DSP:mmg

Attachments (2)

c: Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors

Attachment

Department of Children and Family Services
Phase II Recommended Positions

Position Title

Number of Recommended Positions

Accountant II

1

Administrative Assistant II

1

Administrative Assistant III

3

Administrative Services Manager I

3

Administrative Services Manager II

2

Assistant Supervising Payroll Clerk

1

Children Services Administrator I

9

Children Services Administrator II

3

Computer Systems Operator

1

Data Systems Analyst II

1

Departmental Civil Service Representative

2

Eligibility Supervisor

5

Group Supervisor II

4

Intermediate Supervising Typist Clerk

2

Intermediate Typist Clerk (C)

14

Intermediate Typist Clerk

172

Payroll Clerk I

3

Secretary II

8

Secretary III

5

Senior Clerk

2

Senior Departmental Personnel Technician

1

Senior Secretary III

1

Senior Typist Clerk

1

Staff Assistant I

1

Staff Assistant II

2

Supervising Children's Social Worker

1

Supervising Typist Clerk

3

Systems and Work Measurement Analyst I

1

Transportation Worker

1

TOTAL

254

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