HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12091997 - C80 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
F&HS-02 Contra
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FROM: Q Costa
FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE ' ..
FA o.,.
County
DATE:
December 1, 1997
SUBJECT:
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CWS/CMS CHILD WELFARE CASE
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. ACCEPT the attached joint report from the Social Service Director and the
Business Agent for SEIU Local 535.
2. REQUEST the Social Service Director to report back to the 1998 Family and
Human Services Committee on a quarterly basis beginning in March 1998 on
the status of the implementation of the CWS/CMS System.
3. INDICATE to the Social Service Director the Board's position that the welfare
of children remains the Department's primary mission.
4. APPROVE the attached letters to this County's legislative delegation and the
State Administration and AUTHORIZE the Chair to sign them, supporting
recommendations to:
❑ Continue an enhanced level of CWS/CMS funding to enable a
successful transition/implementation; and
❑ Support efforts to conduct a Child Welfare Services yardstick study that
will adjust future Child Welfare allocations.
5. REMOVE this item as a referral to the 1997 Family and Human Services
Committee, referred it instead to the 1998 Family and Human Services
Committee.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD C ITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURES : ae*iSAQLHIER DONNA ER
ACTION OF BOARD ON -December 9, 1997 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.Q q C�r
ATTESTED I 1 I I
Contact: PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERKOF THE BOARD OF
CC: SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
See Page 3
BY- DEPUTY
F&HS-02
BACKGROUND:
On October 14, 1997, the Board of Supervisors approved a report from our
Committee which included the following recommendations:
1. DIRECT the Social Service Director to convene a "CWS/CMS Oversight
Committee" which is to include, at a minimum, one child welfare Social
Worker, one Clerical Specialist, and staff and members from SEIU Local 535
and AFSCME Local 2700, and to meet with this Committee between now and
November 17, 1997, in an effort to identify and resolve as many problems as
possible with the implementation of the CWS/CMS System.
2. DIRECT the Social Service Director to report to the Family and Human
Services Committee on November 17, 1997,on the outcome of the meetings
with the"CWS/CMS Oversight Committee"and generally with the status of the
implementation of the CWS/CMS System.
3. DIRECT the Social Service Director to include in his report to the Family and
Human Services Committee on November 17, 1997,the status of payments to
foster parents and group homes.
4. INVITE representatives from SEIU Local 535 and AFSCME Local 2700 to report
to the Family and Human Services Committee on November 17, 1997,
regarding:
What issues have been resolved as a result of meetings with the
Social Service Director?
D What remaining issues need to be resolved?
5. ENCOURAGE the Social Service Director,SEIU Local 535,and AFSCME Local
2700 to identify for the Board any actions the Board members can take with
the State Administration to provide additional support to the Social Service
Department in problem-solving the implementation of the CWS/CMS System
in a timely and user-friendly manner.
6. REQUEST the Social Service Director to be as sensitive as possible to the
needs of the child welfare staff as they familiarize themselves with and use the
CWS/CMS System.
7. DIRECT that Clerical Specialists continue to input as much information as
possible into the CWS/CMS system.
While the Department was to report on November 17, 1997, staff asked that the
report be delayed until December 1, 1997 to give additional time to complete
meetings with the unions. The unions agreed with the need for this delay.
Attached is a joint report from the Social Service Director and Local 535 which
responds to each of the recommendations approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The response to Recommendation #7, which was added at the Board meeting, is
provided as a part of the response to Recommendation#2 in terms of the continuing
need for Clerical Specialists.
On December 1, 1997, our Committee met with Social Service Director John Cullen,
Assistant Social Service Director Danna Fabella, Department Personnel Officer Judy
Campbell, Local 535 Business Agent Joyce Baird, Local 535 President Bruce
Peaslee, Social Worker Michael Goodman, Deputy County Counsel Jan Holmes and
members of the Grand Jury.
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v �
F&HS-02
Mr. Cullen presented our Committee with the attached report and reviewed it with
us. Mr. Cullen noted that there is an annual cost of$1.5 million to continue providing
the level of clerical support, technical assistance and additional Social Workers to
manage the CWS/CMS System. While he is applying to the State for additional
funds, there is no assurance that these funds will be forthcoming. The report
outlines responses to each of the recommendations approved by the Board on
October 14, 1997, identifies the progress which has been made, the issues which
have been resolved and the issues which remain to be resolved. Local 535
Business Agent Joyce Baird concurred in general with the report as an accurate
reflection of where we are with the implementation of the system. She also noted
that the State appears to recognize that there are problems with the system
statewide which must be fixed. Local 535 wants a yardstick study conducted by the
State to insure that counties are properly compensated for the work they have to do.
Local 535 President Bruce Peaslee indicated that he was pleased with the process
that is being followed. His concern is with what the process will look like down the
road. He is not as optimistic as the Department that CWS/CMS can be improved to
the point where it is not a burden to Social Workers.
Supervisor DeSaulnier asked that the Department and the unions report back to the
1998 Family and Human Services Committee on a quarterly basis. Supervisor
Gerber indicated her support for asking the Board to be clear with the Department
that our main responsibility is to children and families, even if that means that the
Department cannot do everything the State wants in implementing the CWS/CMS
System on the State's timetable.
The Department and Local 535 have asked that the Board send letters to the
County's legislative delegation urging additional funding for the implementation of
the CWS/CMS System and urging that a yardstick study be undertaken. We agree
and are asking that the Board approve such letters.
cc: County Administrator
Social Service Director
Joyce Baird, Business Agent, SEIU Local 535
Bruce Peaslee, President, SEIU Local 535
Jim Hicks, Business Agent, AFSCME Local 2700
Sara Hoffman, Senior Deputy County Administrator
-3-
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Social Service Department
DATE: November 26, 1997
TO: Family & Human Services Committee
FROM: John Cullen, Director�or�
Joyce Baird, SEIU Local 53%�W
SUBJECT: Report on CWS/CMS Implementation and Oversight Committee
On October 14, 1997, the Board of Supervisors requested follow up information to the Family
and Human Services Committee concerning the CWS/CMS System and the outcome of the new
Labor-Management Oversight Committee. At the request of the Oversight Committee, the
report was moved to December 1, 1997. The areas of follow-up information requested are
shown bolded below:
1. DIRECT the Social Service Director to convene a"CWS/CMS Oversight Committee"
which is to include, at a minimum, one child welfare Social Worker, one Clerical
Specialist, and staff and members from SEIU Local 535 and AFSCME Local 2700,
and to meet with this Committee between now and November 17, 1997, in an effort
to identify and resolve as many problems as possible with the implementation of the
CWS/CMS System.
The Oversight Committee is composed of three SEIU Local 535 caseworkers, the 535
President and Field Representative, the AFSCME 2700 Business Agent, two Clerical
Technicians, Personnel Officer, Social Work Supervisor II, Children's Division Manager,
Assistant Director, and the Director. The Committee has met three times: October 31,
November 10, and November 26, 1997.
2. DIRECT the Social Service Director to report to the Family & Human Services
Committee on November 17, 1997, on the outcome of the meetings with the
CWS/CMS Oversight Committee" and generally with the status of the
implementation of the CWS/CMS System.
CWS/CMS Status Update:
We have attached a report completed by Gloria Halverson, CWS/CMS Project
Coordinator for our county. As indicated in her report, our county has been up for
three and a half months. Her report outlines our success in the Screening Unit and
problems that we have been discussing on the Oversight Committee such as placement,
documentation, development of the case plan, and the areas of State Project focus,
including: access to restricted data, redesign of the case plan, redesign of the court
report, concurrency (two people working on the case at the same time), contact/service
delivery screen, and court application issues.
The Implementation Team for our county continues to manage new releases, initiate
procedures, identify problems and issues that need to be resolved. These issues are
addressed in Ms. Halverson's report. The Implementation Team has also developed a
much more detailed and comprehensive work plan that addresses CWS/CMS operations.
Meeting Outcomes:
The Oversight Committee has worked to identify issues and process, and hear updates
of the technical systems corrections and enhancements. Central issues that have been
problematic which were discussed include: placement, documentation, and the clerical
role relating to the system.
Committee representatives also made contact with local district offices to determine if
there were other major issues needing to be addressed. The Committee will continue to
meet on an ongoing basis over the next few months.
In these meetings, it has become apparent that ongoing additional support is necessary
to ease the CWS/CMS implementation impacts on staff and allow us to meet our service-
delivery objectives. Labor representatives have agreed that our current kinds of supports
be continued for the foreseeable future. We are currently maintaining a level of technical
support which is based on a ratio of 1:50 (one support staff for 50 work stations). The
State allows a ratio of 1:125. Additionally, the State minimally funded transition staff
to compensate for 3 months of productivity loss following CWS/CMS implementation.
We have added social work staff, clerical support, case aides, and overtime, at a level
significantly above the State assumptions. Cost estimates indicate that to continue these
increased levels of support, both technical transition staff, would cost approximately $1.5
million additional dollars annually.
The Department is in the process of preparing a supplemental request for State funding
for these enhanced supports.
3. DIRECT the Social Service Director to include in his report to the Family & Human
Services Committee on November 17, 1997, the status of payments to foster parents
and group homes.
As the Family & Human Services Committee heard, in some instances, payments were
not made to foster parents in a timely manner due to Eligibility Workers not receiving
the necessary paperwork promptly. This was mostly caused by social workers' inability
to complete the placement screen and forward the application for aid to the AFDC-FC
Unit. We have developed a process which gives the social workers several options for
completing this work. Since the system is designed as an on-line system, we have
continued the practice of encouraging workers to complete this screen. Additionally,
Clerical Technicians can complete this placement screen for the worker, but the worker
is required to ensure that all information is correct. To assist the Clerical Technician in
this task, we have developed a form for workers to complete which contains the
necessary information for those CWS/CMS screens. As a result of these efforts,
payments have stabilized and occurred as appropriate.
ATO: Board Family & Human Services Committee
SUBJ: Report on CWS/CMS Implementation & Oversight Committee
4. INVITE representatives from SEIU Local 535 and AFSCME Local 2700 to report
to the Family & Human Services Committee on November 17, 1997, regarding:
What issues have been resolved as a result of meetings with the Social Service
Director?
What remaining issues need to be resolved?
Issues resolved:
The primary issues resolved were in the placement area and in clerical support for on-
line case documentation. In processing placements in the system, three options are now
available: technicians may use a newly-developed transmittal form completed by the
social worker, technicians may develop necessary placement information by review of
the case folder, or workers may do the placement work on-line themselves. Technical
improvements in the statewide system have also been made which has made this process
less onerous than when last discussed with the Board.
The Committee also resolved to piloting the future court petition feature of system in the
intern unit, prior to deploying system-wide. The concept of piloting future enhancements
when allowable was agreed upon.
Issues to be resolved:
- The State system continues to be structured on the basic premise that the person
who knows the information should input. This approach has long-term
consequences on performance levels, workload assignments, and County costs.
- Clerical roles for tasks in ithe system are in question due to the basic system
design; a task force established for this will meet, pending resolution of the
bigger issues impacting this area.
- Review of the need for enhanced support pending full system development and
successful implementation.
- Continuing to implement additional features of the system, particularly court
reports and petitions, are not viewed similarly by representatives for SEIU Local
535 and Department management. We are continuing to talk about if, when and
how these features will be implemented.
-3-
•TO: Board Family & Human Services Committee
SUBJ: Report on CWS/CMS Implementation & Oversight Committee
5. ENCOURAGE the Social Service Director, SEIU Local 535, and AFSCME Local
2700 to identify for the Board any actions the Board members can take with the
State Administration to provide additional support to the Social Service Department
in problem-solving the implementation of the CWS/CMS System in a timely and
user-friendly manner.
The Department has facilitated worker participation on several statewide committees that
are responsible for potential system enhancements and resolution of concerns.
Additionally, we are working with the State to fund our needed support levels during
transition. SEIU and AFSCME are working with their State associations to support these
efforts and directly impact State design issues. We will also continue the CWS/CMS
oversight process.
The Board can be most helpful by continuing to support our implementation efforts, and
keep this issue on referral to the Family & Human Services Committee. Additionally,
we are asking the Board to contact our State delegation and ask that they support
recommendations to:
Continue an enhanced level of CWS/CMS funding to enable a successful
transition/implementation; and
- Support efforts to conduct a Child Welfare Services yardstick study that will
adjust future Child Welfare allocations.
6. REQUEST the Social Service Director to be as sensitive as possible to the needs of
the child welfare staff as they familiarize themselves with and use the CWS/CMS
System.
Noted by Department; appreciated by union.
JBC:sjb
CWSFHS12.97
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DEC--03-199? 04:29 SOCIAL SERVICE DEPT. 1 510313 1575 P.02/04
-U
December 2, 1897
llama"
and
Address
Dear
CHIL® WELFME SERVICE SE MAGElV1 NT gy§TEM,(QWS/CMS)
t�1DTHHE GHILD WELEA EitVICES ALLQQATIQtj
Over the past year the California Health and Welfare Data Center(HVVDC)has
been rotting out the automated Child Welfare Services/Case Management System
(CWSICMS). This system, authorized by the legislature under SS 370, was designed
to meet federal reporting requirements, state legislators' need for child welfare
statistical Information, and program professionals'desire for an automated case
management system to provide relief from the paperwork resulting from various legal,
regulatory and court requirements.
The CWSICMS has started its roll out in all counties,with varying degrees of
functionality. In almost every county, the roll out has been problematical because of
both system issues as well as transition problems that are unique to each county.
State and county staff have long recognized the essential need for additional technical
support and program staff in order to bring the system up, and at the sauce time
continua to serve children and families. Our experienoe is demonstrating that
CWSICMS implementation and stabiliution is requiring more time than originally
Name
December 2, 1997
Page 2
planned thus requiring continuance of a high levet of technical and program support.
Without sufficient support, successful implementation and operation of CWS/CMS Is in
serious jeopardy.
Contra Costa County has gone forward with CWS/CMS implementation In good
faith and has formed a Management/tabor Oversight Committee,to work out the many
workload impact issues that have surfaced during start up. However, we believe that it
is necessary for the state administration and our legislators to recognize that in order to
succeed in fully implementing this system, it is urgent that additional state funding be
made available to help counties facia this incredible challenge of bringing up a fully-
automated case-management system and at the same time not put children at risk due
to lack of local resources.
Concurrently. we believe that the legislature should support the California
Department of Somal Services' {CRSS}efforts to undertake a child welfare workload
study which would update the basic allocation methodology which has not been
reviewed since the yardstick was developed in 1982 after SS 14 was passed. Such a
study would Incorporate the impact of CWS/CMS, as well as the hundreds of legislative
mandates and regulatory requir+emeft that have added to the social worker's
workload, into future ChildnWs Services allocations.
. Name
December 2, 9 997
Page S
In summary, we are asking that you support additional funding through HWDC
and CRSS for technical and casework activities during the period of CWS/CMS
implementation, which we believe will last up to 24 months. We also ask that you
support efforts by the COSS In collaboration with the County Welfare Director's
Association to conduct a child welfare services workload studytallocation update.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier, Chair
Board of Supervisors
" Send to:
Assemblywoman Dion Aroner
Assemblyman Tom Tortakson
Senator Riohard Rainey
cc: Eloise Anderson, Director, COSS
Russ SohaM Director, HWDC
TOTAL P.04
The 'Board of Supervisors Contra W*ftw
County Administration BuildingCosta C(s o)a�sW
street,651 Pine Room 106
11100
Mar inez,California 94553-1293 County
Jim Rogem,tst D s c
GryN S.uN mm,2nd Distrix
Dw m Gsrbsr.3rd District .
Mwk D96&A-kr,Ah District !/
Joe Grmhn0k,5th District
December 9, 1997 = ..s
STA cfier't'
The Honorable Richard K. Rainey
Senator - 7th District
Room 4090 State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senato lney:
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CWS/CS)
AND THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES ALLOCATION
On December 9, 1997, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized
me to send this letter to you on its behalf.
Over the past year, the California Health and Welfare Data Center (HWDC) has
been rolling out the automated Child Welfare Services/Case Management System
(CWS/CMS). This system, authorized by the Legislature under the provisions of SB
370, was designed to meet Federal reporting requirements, state legislators' need
for child welfare statistical information, and program professionals' desire for an
automated case management system to provide relief from the paperwork resulting
from various legal, regulatory and court requirements.
The CWS/CMS has started its roll out in all counties, with varying degrees of
functionality. In almost every county, the roll out has been problematical because
of both system issues and transition problems that are unique in each county. State
and county staff have long recognized the essential need for additional technical
support and program staff in order to bring the system up, and at the same time
continue to serve children and families. Our experience is demonstrating that
CWS/CMS implementation and stabilization is requiring more time than originally
planned, thus requiring continuation of a high level of technical and program support.
Without sufficient support, successful implementation and operation of CWS/CMS
is in serious jeopardy.
-2-
Contra Costa County has gone forward with CWS/CMS implementation in good faith
and has formed a Management/Labor Oversight Committee to work out the many
workload impact issues that have surfaced during start up. However, we believe that
it is necessary for the State Administration and our legislators to recognize that in
order to succeed in fully implementing this system, it is urgent that additional State
funding be made available to help counties face this incredible challenge of bringing
up a fully-automated case management system and at the same time not put
children at risk due to lack of local resources.
Concurrently, we believe that the Legislature should support the efforts of counties
and children's coalitions that are calling for a child welfare workload study which
would update the basic allocation methodology which has not been reviewed since
the yardstick was developed in 1982 after SB 14 was passed. Such a study would
incorporate the impact of CWS/CMS, as well as the hundreds of legislative
mandates and regulatory requirements that have been added to the social worker's
workload, into future Children's Services allocations.
In summary, we are asking that you support additional funding through HWDC and
CDSS for technical and casework activities during the period of CWS/CMS
implementation, which we believe will last up to 24 months. We also ask that you
support efforts by the children's coalition in collaboration with the County Welfare
Directors' Association to conduct a child welfare services workload study/allocation
update.
Very truly yours,
MARK DeSAULNIER
CHAIR
cc: Eloise Anderson, Director, CDSS
Russ Bohart, Director, HWDC
County Administrator
Social Service Director
Ml Sntoholw
The 'Board of Supervisors Contra Ckft of ft BW
and
County Administration BuildingCosta �of 335-1900
tw
651 Pine Street, Room 106
Martinez,California 94553-1293 County
Jin Rogws,1 st District c e 1.
Q&VW S.Una,2nd District
lliosr
Donne Qwbw,3rd District
Mwk DaSaidrd r.4th District ,z'I
Joe Cmehodit.Sth Disiict 'i"��- _,•ra
December 9, 1997
The Honorable Barbara Lee
Senator - 9th District
Room 5060 State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Lee:
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CWS/CMS)
AND THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES ALLOCATION
On December 9, 1997, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized
me to send this letter to you on its behalf.
Over the past year, the California Health and Welfare Data Center (HWDC) has
been rolling out the automated Child Welfare Services/Case Management System
(CWS/CMS). This system, authorized by the Legislature under the provisions of SB
370, was designed to meet Federal reporting requirements, state legislators' need
for child welfare statistical information, and program professionals' desire for an
automated case management system to provide relief from the paperwork resulting
from various legal, regulatory and court requirements.
The CWS/CMS has started its roll out in all counties, with varying degrees of
functionality. In almost every county, the roll out has been problematical because
of both system issues and transition problems that are unique in each county. State
and county staff have long recognized the essential need for additional technical
support and program staff in order to bring the system up, and at the same time
continue to serve children and families. Our experience is demonstrating that
CWS/CMS implementation and stabilization is requiring more time than originally
planned, thus requiring continuation of a high level of technical and program support.
Without sufficient support, successful implementation and operation of CWS/CMS
is in serious jeopardy.
-2-
Contra Costa County has gone forward with CWS/CMS implementation in good faith
and has formed a Management/Labor Oversight Committee to work out the many
workload impact issues that have surfaced during start up. However, we believe that
it is necessary for the State Administration and our legislators to recognize that in
order to succeed in fully implementing this system, it is urgent that additional State
funding be made available to help counties face this incredible challenge of bringing
up a fully-automated case management system and at the same time not put
children at risk due to lack of local resources.
Concurrently, we believe that the Legislature should support the efforts of counties
and children's coalitions that are calling for a child welfare workload study which
would update the basic allocation methodology which has not been reviewed since
the yardstick was developed in 1982 after SB 14 was passed. Such a study would
incorporate the impact of CWS/CMS, as well as the hundreds of legislative
mandates and regulatory requirements that have been added to the social worker's
workload, into future Children's Services allocations.
In summary, we are asking that you support additional funding through HWDC and
CDSS for technical and casework activities during the period of CWS/CMS
implementation, which we believe will last up to 24 months. We also ask that you
support efforts by the children's coalition in collaboration with the County Welfare
Directors' Association to conduct a child welfare services workload study/allocation
update.
Very truly yours,
MARK DeSAULNIER
CHAIR
cc: Eloise Anderson, Director, CDSS
Russ Bohart, Director, HWDC
County Administrator
Social Service Director
.The'Board of Supervisors Contra a °`
County Administration BuildingCOSta Co(510)'33sie"W
651 Pine Street,Room 106
00
Martinez,Calitomia 94553-1293 County
mss,s,1st District
fiiryM B.ullMrrr.2nd Dretnct ___ _ '-,•f.
Darty fbMW.3rd DiMAct
Not Deft,*Ur,qh District
J%*i wmftm ta,5th District
December 9, 1997
The Honorable Dion Aroner
Assemblywoman, 14th District
Room 2163 State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear AssemblywomanArdn—er:
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CWS/CMS)
AND THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES ALLOCATION
On December 9, 1997, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized
me to send this letter to you on its behalf.
Over the past year, the California Health and Welfare Data Center (HWDC) has
been rolling out the automated Child Welfare Services/Case Management System
(CWS/CMS). This system, authorized by the Legislature under the provisions of SB
370, was designed to meet Federal reporting requirements, state legislators' need
for child welfare statistical information, and program professionals' desire for an
automated case management system to provide relief from the paperwork resulting
from various legal, regulatory and court requirements.
The CWS/CMS has started its roll out in all counties, with varying degrees of
functionality. In almost every county, the roll out has been problematical because
of both system issues and transition problems that are unique in each county. State
and county staff have long recognized the essential need for additional technical
support and program staff in order to bring the system up, and at the same time
continue to serve children and families. Our experience is demonstrating that
CWS/CMS implementation and stabilization is requiring more time than originally
planned, thus requiring continuation of a high level of technical and program support.
Without sufficient support, successful implementation and operation of CWS/CMS
is in serious jeopardy.
-2-
Contra Costa County has gone forward with CWS/CMS implementation in good faith
and has formed a Management/Labor Oversight Committee to work out the many
workload impact issues that have surfaced during start up. However, we believe that
it is necessary for the State Administration and our legislators to recognize that in
order to succeed in fully implementing this system, it is urgent that additional State
funding be made available to help counties face this incredible challenge of bringing
up a fully-automated case management system and at the same time not put
children at risk due to lack of local resources.
Concurrently, we believe that the Legislature should support the efforts of counties
and children's coalitions that are calling for a child welfare workload study which
would update the basic allocation methodology which has not been reviewed since
the yardstick was developed in 1982 after SB 14 was passed. Such a study would
incorporate the impact of CWS/CMS, as well as the hundreds of legislative
mandates and regulatory requirements that have been added to the social worker's
workload, into future Children's Services allocations.
In summary, we are asking that you support additional funding through HWDC and
CDSS for technical and casework activities during the period of CWS/CMS
implementation, which we believe will last up to 24 months. We also ask that you
support efforts by the children's coalition in collaboration with the County Welfare
Directors' Association to conduct a child welfare services workload study/allocation
update.
Very truly yours,
MARK DeSAULNIER
CHAIR
cc: Eloise Anderson, Director, CDSS
Russ Bohart, Director, HWDC
County Administrator
Social Service Director
The`Board of Supervisors Contra C18*01ft
end
County Administration BuildingO S to cc r y A&*gWNor
651 Pine Street, Room 106
)335-1900
Martinez,Caldomia 94553-1293 County
Jbn Rogwo,lot District e L
ayb B.UW ,2nd District
Domm 00bw.3rd District
ititwk 08GU dw.4th DioU
Joe Caeroiniaflk.5th District s:"r' ;Ql
ST O a
December 9, 1997
The Honorable Lynne C. Leach
Assemblywoman, 15th District
Room 4015 State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblywoman Lads
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CWS/CMS)
AND THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES ALLOCATION
On December 9, 1997, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized
me to send this letter to you on its behalf.
Over the past year, the California Health and Welfare Data Center (HWDC) has
been rolling out the automated Child Welfare Services/Case Management System
(CWS/CMS). This system, authorized by the Legislature under the provisions of SB
370, was designed to meet Federal reporting requirements, state legislators' need
for child welfare statistical information, and program professionals' desire for an
automated case management system to provide relief from the paperwork resulting
from various legal, regulatory and court requirements.
The CWS/CMS has started its roll out in all counties, with varying degrees of
functionality. In almost every county, the roll out has been problematical because
of both system issues and transition problems that are unique in each county. State
and county staff have long recognized the essential need for additional technical
support and program staff in order to bring the system up, and at the same time
continue to serve children and families. Our experience is demonstrating that
CWS/CMS implementation and stabilization is requiring more time than originally
planned, thus requiring continuation of a high level of technical and program support.
Without sufficient support, successful implementation and operation of CWS/CMS
is in serious jeopardy.
v s
-2-
Contra Costa County has gone forward with CWS/CMS implementation in good faith
and has formed a Management/Labor Oversight Committee to work out the many
workload impact issues that have surfaced during start up. However, we believe that
it is necessary for the State Administration and our legislators to recognize that in
order to succeed in fully implementing this system, it is urgent that additional State
funding be made available to help counties face this incredible challenge of bringing
up a fully-automated case management system and at the same time not put
children at risk due to lack of local resources.
Concurrently, we believe that the Legislature should support the efforts of counties
and children's coalitions that are calling for a child welfare workload study which
would update the basic allocation methodology which has not been reviewed since
the yardstick was developed in 1982 after SB 14 was passed. Such a study would
incorporate the impact of CWS/CMS, as well as the hundreds of legislative
mandates and regulatory requirements that have been added to the social worker's
workload, into future Children's Services allocations.
In summary, we are asking that you support additional funding through HWDC and
CDSS for technical and casework activities during the period of CWS/CMS
implementation, which we believe will last up to 24 months. We also ask that you
support efforts by the children's coalition in collaboration with the County Welfare
Directors' Association to conduct a child welfare services workload study/allocation
update.
Very truly yours,
MARK DeSAULNIER
CHAIR
cc: Eloise Anderson, Director, CDSS
Russ Bohart, Director, HWDC
County Administrator
Social Service Director
The-Board of Supervisors Contra �"a Bow
and
County Administration Buildingoonti br
651 Pine Street, Room 106 Costa (510)335-1900
Martinez,,California 94553-1283 County
An Rogem,1 st DWid 5 E L J
G"B.UBkwm,2nd Dttrkt
D4MY QMbM',3rd DNVW
Mark D@Sa*d ,4M Dftid �I
Joy Cgrw1wv K 5th Dftiot
OST'9 COl':S~
December 9, 1997
The Honorable Tom Torlakson
Assemblyman, 11 th District
Room 2003 State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblyman T Cason:
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CWS/CMS,)
AND THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES ALLOCATION
On December 9, 1997, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized
me to send this letter to you on its behalf.
Over the past year, the California Health and Welfare Data Center (HWDC) has
been rolling out the automated Child Welfare Services/Case Management System
(CWS/CMS). This system, authorized by the Legislature under the provisions of SB
370, was designed to meet Federal reporting requirements, state legislators' need
for child welfare statistical information, and program professionals' desire for an
automated case management system to provide relief from the paperwork resulting
from various legal, regulatory and court requirements.
The CWS/CMS has started its roll out in all counties, with varying degrees of
functionality. In almost every county, the roll out has been problematical because
of both system issues and transition problems that are unique in each county. State
and county staff have long recognized the essential need for additional technical
support and program staff in order to bring the system up, and at the same time
continue to serve children and families. Our experience is demonstrating that
CWS/CMS implementation and stabilization is requiring more time than originally
planned, thus requiring continuation of a high level of technical and program support.
Without sufficient support, successful implementation and operation of CWS/CMS
is in serious jeopardy.
-2-
Contra Costa County has gone forward with CWS/CMS implementation in good faith
and has formed a Management/Labor Oversight Committee to work out the many
workload impact issues that have surfaced during start up. However, we believe that
it is necessary for the State Administration and our legislators to recognize that in
order to succeed in fully implementing this system, it is urgent that additional State
funding be made available to help counties face this incredible challenge of bringing
up a fully-automated case management system and at the same time not put
children at risk due to lack of local resources.
Concurrently, we believe that the Legislature should support the efforts of counties
and children's coalitions that are calling for a child welfare workload study which
would update the basic allocation methodology which has not been reviewed since
the yardstick was developed in 1982 after SB 14 was passed. Such a study would
incorporate the impact of CWS/CMS, as well as the hundreds of legislative
mandates and regulatory requirements that have been added to the social worker's
workload, into future Children's Services allocations.
In summary, we are asking that you support additional funding through HWDC and
CDSS for technical and casework activities during the period of CWS/CMS
implementation, which we believe will last up to 24 months. We also ask that you
support efforts by the children's coalition in collaboration with the County Welfare
Directors' Association to conduct a child welfare services workload study/allocation
update.
Very truly yours,
MARK DeSAULNIER
CHAIR
cc: Eloise Anderson, Director, CDSS
Russ Bohart, Director, HWDC
County Administrator
Social Service Director