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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04071992 - 2.1 c2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: Phil Batchelor-, - County Administrator C; JJIa Rose Manning, Acting County Welfare Director County DATE: April 7 , 1992 SUBJECT: STATUS OF BUDGET AND SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT REDUCTION PLAN - PHASE I SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1 . ACKNOWLEDGE that the State is in its third year of serious budget deficits with current projections ranging from $6 - $10 billion. 2 . ACKNOWLEDGE the devastating impact of the State budget deficit on county programs including a projected State revenue reduction of $500 million to $2 billion to counties . 3 . ACKNOWLEDGE that the current budget deficit of $9 .2 million in the Health Services Department and $5 million in the Social Service Department will be greatly magnified in FY 92-93 due to anticipated state budget cuts . 4 . DIRECT the Social Service Department and Health Services Department to immediately begin to perform a comprehensive analysis of all programs, including service levels, as part their FY 92-93 budget reduction plans. 5. CONTINUE to work with CSAC, the Legislature: and the Governor' s Office to pursue changes in realignment that will provide flexibility to the County in matching local service needs with local resources and eliminate mandated payment of unused state services by the counties . CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: C►`'��` RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : ACTION OF BOARD ON Az ri 1 7, 1992 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER .X The Board heard members of the public who appeared to comment on the above recommendations. The names of those commenting are listed on Attachment D.. The Board APPROVED the above recommendations, and in addition, REQUESTED the County Administrator to work with the County Administrator of Alameda County to sponsor legilslation to modify General Assistance. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A x UNANIMOUS (ABSENT III ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. cc: CAO ATTESTED April 7, 1992 PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY ,DEPUTY ssbudget.bos I 6 . AUTHORIZE the Chair, Board of Supervisors, and County Administrator to work with CSAC, the Legislature and Governor' s Office to provide Contra Costa County with the necessary authority to better control the anticipated devastating budget deficit for FY 92-93, including exploration of the feasibility of a transitional assistance program to supplant General Assistance and legislative action on General Assistance (Attachment A) . 7 . DIRECT the Realignment Program Subcommittee to continue to investigate possible efficiencies in departmental operations and to report to the County Administrator on any necessary changes to regulation or legislation needed to effectuate these efficiencies. 8 . ACCEPT the report on the status of the Social Service Department general fund budget shortfall and the Department Reduction Plan - Phase I, including organizational restructuring, General Assistance, program realignment shortfalls, staffing levels and organizational and programmatic impacts of budget reductions . 9 . REDUCE management, administrative support and clerical positions by adoption of the Attachment B Resolution. 10 . REDUCE overmatched programs by 13% in all Department programs by adoption of the Attachment B Resolution: a. Reduce allocation of staff assigned to Services Centralized Information and Referral (CIRS) , and combine with related Information and Referral services for senior citizens provided by the Area Agency on Aging. b. Reduce four social caseworker positions allocated to Adult Protective Services (APS) and centralize the remaining 6 . 8 FTE positions in Central County under one unit responsible for APS and Conservatorship. C. Reduce four caseworker positions allocated to Children's Protective Services and geographically equalize the impact of the assignment reductions . d. Reduce three Social Worker positions from the In-Home Supportive Services program and geographically equalize the impact of the assignment reductions . 11 . REDUCE General Assistance program costs ( 100% general fund costs) by reallocating and restructuring duties to maximize other Income Maintenance program activity. 12 . AUTHORIZE the Social Service Department to further reduce the Department's general fund shortfall and to minimize impact of layoffs by utilizing savings realized from Department staff voluntary furloughs, part-time, job sharing, and leaves of absence, with emphasis on application in those program areas that would not cause loss of state or federal revenues . 13 . REDUCE the current four Department Bureaus to three by assigning the Department Systems operation to the Administrative Bureau. 14 . RESTRUCTURE the Social Service Department General Assistance function to report directly to the County Welfare Director. 15 . ACKNOWLEDGE that the Phase I Budget Reduction only addresses $1 . 7 million of the $5 million Social Service Department deficit and DIRECT the County Administrator and the Acting County Welfare Director to explore 1)application of SB 910, Title XIX and other possible revenue for FY 92-93; 2 ) further staff reductions, including vacancies and voluntary actions; 3) General Assistance cost containment measures; and 4 ) other actions to reduce the Department ' s deficit and to return to the Board with further recommendations necessary to balance the budget in fiscal year 91-92 and fiscal year 92-93 . I 2 BACKGROUND State Budget Deficits CALIFORNIA IS FACING A FISCAL CRISIS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS OF SUCH MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS THAT IT MAY MAKE THE BUDGET REDUCTIONS OF 1991 LOOK LIKE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS . Today, nine months into the fiscal year, it is generally agreed that the State Budget for the current fiscal year is still out of balance by $2 to $4 billion. This deficit must be eliminated over the next 90 days . In addition, there is increasing evidence that the proposed 1992-93 State Budget is out of balance by an additional $6 billion. One proposal being discussed in Sacramento would balance the 1992-93 budget by allocating reductions as follows : * $2 billion in Health & Welfare Programs * $2 billion in Education Programs * $2 billion in all other State and Local Programs In 1991, the current fiscal year's State Budget was balanced by increasing revenues by some $7 billion. Enactment of further significant revenue increases in 1992 will be very difficult. Therefore, almost all of the existing deficit must be balanced by program reductions . The potential impact of these STATE budget problems on this and other counties can hardly be overestimated or exaggerated. It is anticipated that at least $500 million and up to $2 billion in direct reductions to counties may result from the State cuts . If we assume Contra Costa County represents 2 1/2% to 3% of this amount, the reductions to Contra Costa County could range from $12 .5 million to $60 million. These reductions would be made after balancing the current fiscal year' s State Budget, which could have additional, currently unknown repercussions on County health and welfare programs . Realignment was designed to provide fiscal relief to the counties . This has not been realized, in very large part due to the recession. Contra Costa currently faces a $4 .2 million deficit in FY 91-92 realignment revenues . Many economists are not predicting recovery of the state economy until 1993-1994 . Furthermore, county realignment revenues typically are received one quarter in arrears, further lengthening the impact of the recession on revenues . Reforms have been proposed by this County and CSAC. It is imperative that the Legislature act quickly to provide flexibility to the counties in realignment program areas, to eliminate mandatory payment of unused state services and to establish a state-wide balancing account to help obviate future fiscal crisis . The ominous budget problems for FY 1992-93 are not reflected in the recommendations being made to the Board in this report. Further reports will detail recommendations for FY92-93 Departmental Reduction Plans . This report addresses Phase I of actions necessary to correct the FY 91-92 Social Service Department budget deficit of $5 million, as directed by the Board on March 17, 1992 . Social Service Department Budget Shortfall The Social Service Department faces a $5 . 0 million general fund budget deficit this fiscal year: $2 . 9 million -General Assistance caseload increases and court decisions (higher payment levels, retroactive payments to clients) $1 . 0 million -AFDC caseload increases $1 . 1 million -Realignment program sales tax shortfall $5 . 0 million Total 91-92 Deficit 3 The Department will be able to offset $1. 7 million through increased revenues and staff reductions: -$1 . 1 million Administrative expense savings due to cost containment, application of hiring and purchasing freezes and revenue from Title IV-E and Title XIX. - . 6 million Elimination of 31 . 3 budgeted positions, and restructuring of 9 . 7 FTE General Assistance Eligibility Worker Assignments -$1 . 7 million Total FY 91-92 Savings The remaining $3 . 3 million budget deficit for FY 91-92 is being reviewed by the County Administrator and the Social Service Department, who will return to the Board with further recommendations for consideration. This $3. 3 million deficit figure is $.5 million higher than reported to the Board in the March 17, 1992 Interim Status Report. After further review with the State, it was verified that this $ .5 million revenue offset from Title IV-E for guardianship cases will not be available during the 91-92 fiscal year. The Department has also investigated the possibility of securing additional revenue from Title XIX. However, the State has given its verbal "planning allocation" of $ .5 million additional dollars for the remainder of this fiscal year; that additional allocation has already been included in the estimated revenues for the Department and cannot be used to further reduce the $5 million 91-92 shortfall . The County Administrator and the Department will report back to the Board concerning further potential revenue including exploration for FY 92-93 of increased Federal revenue through SB 910 to pay for case management costs related to Health Care Services . This would possibly affect both adult and children' s services, as well as health services revenues . Also, any existing or upcoming vacant positions will be carefully reviewed for possible application to the remaining Department deficit. General Assistance Program FY 91-92 General Assistance costs are projected to increase from the budgeted figure of $14 .46 million to $17.4 million. The Social Service Department recognizes General Assistance cost containment as its highest priority. Consequently, the Acting Welfare Director will be taking over direct responsibility for the General Assistance program. The increasing costs of GA are taking away dollars from other vital programs; serving children, families and the aged. The Department and the CAO are reviewing additional changes to GA regulations which will be brought to the Board in the next reduction phase. The Department will continue its intensive effort to implement Board approved cost-savings measures through: - providing employable clients with assistance in developing job skills and obtaining employment; - providing unemployable clients with assistance in obtaining Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - providing alcohol and drug diversion services to clients with substance abuse problems (GAADS) - implementation of an Early Fraud Detection program - discontinuance of ineligible clients or persons who refuse to comply with program requirements or to cooperate with services directed towards the goal of self-sufficiency. 4 Comparative Management, Administrative, and Line Staff Reductions Reduction of management staff will result in a further increased span of control for managers and increased numbers of assignments per person, including multiple office responsibility, further travelling, and less time available to provide support and direction to line supervisory staff. The reduction of administrative and program analyst positions will force consolidation of programs supported by those staff, and increased workload for remaining analyst staff. The management positions reductions will continue the trend started in 1986-87, with an overall reduction of -37 .8% . During this time, line staff has increased substantially (see chart below) : Staffing Comparisons 1986-87 to 1992 : (Filled, FTE Positions) Actual Current Proposed % CHANGE FROM 86-87 1986-87 4/92 5/92 through 5/92 Management (*1) : 37 .0 26 .0 23 .0 (-37 .8%) Administrative (*2) : 63 .7 57 .0 54 .0 (-15.2%) Line Supervisors : 90.0 101 .0 99 .0 +10.0% (*3) Line Workers : 693.9 870.9 856 .6 +23 . 3% Total : 884 .6 1054 .9 1032 .6 +16 .7% Clerical : 242 . 8 236 .5 227 . 5 (- 6 .3%) Eligibility: 252 . 1 368.6 368 . 6 +46 .2% Soc Casewkrs : 100 .2 159 . 1 151 . 1 +50.8% Soc Workers : 70 . 3 84 . 7 79 . 7 +13 .3% ( *4) Fraud Workers : 7 . 5 7 .5 16 .5 +120% ( *5) Other: 21 . 0 14 .5 13 .2 (-37.0%) ( *6 ) ( *7) Line Worker Total 693 . 9 870 . 9 856 . 6 +23 . 3% ( 1*) includes Director, Asst. Directors, Division Managers, Personnel Officer,Systems Officer, Ofc. Mgrs . , Executive Assts . , EW Sup II, AAA Director, Welfare Fraud Mgr. (*2) includes AAA Staff Assts . , Administrative Analyst series, Personnel Analysts, Dept. PC Coord. , Program Specialists and Program Analysts, Systems Analysts, Appeals Officers, Secretaries, Data Ops . Spec, Pre-Hearing Review Spec. (*3) includes Clerical, Eligibility, Welfare Fraud, Social Work, Vocational Supervisors, Volunteer Program Coordinators . (*4 ) includes Social Worker level positions and SSPA' s ( *5) includes increased projected staffing for fraud programs . ( *6) includes Assistant Volunteer Coordinators, Aide classes, former storekeeper. (*7 ) does not include unfilled positions currently frozen which will be considered in Phase II reductions . 5 Impact of Reductions on Programs and Service Levels The Department Reduction Plan will have particular programmatic impact on Adult Protective Services, Information and Referral (CIRS) , In-Home Supportive Services, and Childrens ' Protective Services . Centralization of Adult Protective Services and further reduction of the CIRS program (reduced by 12 positions in 1990; 1 position will remain) will mean significant reduction in generic social services that can be provided to the general population. The reduction in IHSS staff will result in delays in responding to requests for In-Home Services, which will particularly impact the disabled, impaired, or older adult. Centralization and consolidation of remaining Adult Services staff will result in further delays and travel time for clients and less ability to provide service in each geographic region. The Department has planned to retain sufficient staff assigned to the Adult Protective Services program to enable handling of life-threatening situations . Higher caseloads for staff remaining in all of the above programs, including Childrens ' Protective Services, will also result. Service Supervisors ' functions will also be consolidated and result in larger span of control for the group as a whole. The reduction of the clerical vacancies accrued primarily through the hiring freeze will result in further contraction of clerical support to line workers, significant reassignments of staff into higher priority areas, and possible further clerical consolidation to maximize services . Restructuring the assignments of staff in the General Assistance program will reduce the ability to perform annual reviews of eligibility. The Department carefully reviewed all of its programs in making its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors . At this time, reductions are not being recommended in: Adoptions - staff reductions could seriously impact the Department ' s ability to free children for adoption and could result in children remaining in foster homes unnecessarily and could increase AFDC/FC costs . Licensing for Foster Homes - This program is already minimally staffed due to previous cutbacks and further reduction could adversely affect the Department' s ability to do Foster Home Recruitment, a priority of the Board of Supervisors and the Department. Independent Living Services - 100% federally funded; State Department of Education Child Care - 100% state funded except $56,000 required match; GAIN - currently no County overmatch; General Assistance Cost Containment Programs - necessary for GA cost containment; Income Maintenance - currently no overmatch; Volunteer Programs - program highly leverages resources not otherwise available to the County; Contracts - no reductions recommended at this time. RESULTS FROM EMPLOYEE SURVEY On March 23, 1992 a Voluntary Workforce Reduction Options Survey was sent to all Social Service Department employees to determine interest in voluntary time off, part-time, job sharing, and leaves of absence. (See attachment C) The returned surveys show 94 persons who indicate interest in such options . In addition, 229 persons made comments, suggestions, or indicated that they could not exercise one of the options at this time. 6 Department Staff interested in voluntary time off, part time, job sharing and/or leave of absence: -38 Services workers and supervisors -25 Income Maintenance Workers and supervisors -21 Clerical employees -10 Other 94 Total These preliminary responses and the suggestions of staff are being reviewed and analyzed in light of the budget deficits and revenue sources claimable from the State and Federal governments . The County Administrator and Social Service Department are seriously considering all feasible suggestions to increase departmental efficiency and reduce the departmental budget deficit. A report will be returned to the Board of Supervisors for review and action. NEXT STEPS Unfortunately, the Social Service Department Budget Reduction Plan - Phase I is just the first necessary step in what will be a series of difficult, painful reductions in providing service to children, families, the aged and the needy. The courts have severely limited the ability of the County to contain General Assistance costs . The State has continued its tradition of reducing resources to the counties, without commensurate authority to raise alternative revenue or to match program service levels with available revenue. The cumulative impact of this 14 year trend has put this county, and all counties, in the untenable position of having to slash programs for children, families and the aged while continuing to pay burgeoning General Assistance rolls to employable adults or individuals who should be receiving SSI . Judicial and legislative remedies are imperative. 7 ATTACHMENT A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 17000 .5 Following is draft amended language for Welfare and Institutions Code section 17000 .5 : 1117000 . 5(a) The board of supervisors in any county may adopt a general assistance standard of aid that is 62 percent of a guideline that is equal to the relevant 1991 federal official poverty line as to persons residing alone and apportioned as to persons residing in a household including more than one person, whether or not the other persons in the household are family members or receive assistance, and may annually adjust that guideline in an amount equal to any adjustment provided under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 for establishing a maximum aid level in the county. (b) The adoption of a standard of aid pursuant to this section shall constitute a sufficient standard of aid. (c) Nothing in this section is intended to abrogate preexisting settlements . (d) For purposes of this section, "federal official poverty line" means the same as it is defined in subsection (2) of Section 9902 of Title 42 of the United States Code. " (e) A county is not required to provide general assistance aid to persons for whom food and shelter are otherwise available. (f) A county is not required to provide general assistance aid for special needs . J_qi A county may disqualify persons otherwise eligible for general assistance aid for up to 180 days on account of wilful failure to comply with the county' s general assistance program requirements . h25:170005.ppr ATTACHMENT B _ BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA RE: Abolishing Positions and ) Laying Off Employees in the ) Resolution No. 92/2.2 Social Service Department ) The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in all of its capacities as the governing body of this County and of the Districts and Agencies of which it is the governing body, RESOLVES THAT: 1. The Board has considered the financial impact in the Social Services Department of increases in General Assistance Program caseload and cost increases, Aid to Families with Dependant Children (AFDC) caseload increases, and shortfalls in State program realignment revenues, and has considered the staff retention plan submitted by the Department. 2. In order to keep expenditures within available funding to the extent possible, it is necessary to abolish the positions described in the lists attached hereto in the interest of economy or because the necessity for the position (s) involved no longer exists, and to lay off employees accordingly. Said lists are incorporated herein by reference, and said positions are hereby abolished effective on the dates indicated thereon. 3. The Director of Personnel shall prepare lists showing the order of lay- off for affected employees. 4 . The County Welfare Director shall issue layoff or displacement notices, as the case may be, and give notice to the affected employees of the Board's action. 5. The Employee relations Officer shall give notice of this Resolution to recognized employee organizations representing employees impacted by this action. 6. To the extent that the subjects of this Resolution are within the scope of representation under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (Government Code Section 3500 et seq. ) , this Board offers to meet with any recognized employee organization upon request concerning this Resolution. 7. Recognized employee organizations may submit to the Employee Relations Officer written requests to meet and confer on specific proposals with respect to the Resolution or any resulting layoffs. This authorization and direction is given without prejudice to the Board's right to reduce or terminate the operations and services of the County and of Districts governed by this Board and to eliminate classes of employees or positions as involving the merits, necessity, or organization of services or activities of the County or districts governed by the Board and not within the scope of representation. 8. This action is taken without prejudice to pending consulting, meeting, and meeting and conferring with employee organizations. Continued on Page 2 8 RESOLUTION No. '92/222 Attachment B Page 2 BE IT BY THE BOARD RESOLVED that the following positions be canceled effective May 1, 1992, at the close of business. Class No. Vacant/ BU# Department Orq# Code Classification Pos.# Canc. Filled 0500 Social Serv. 5000 APTA Adm Svcs Asst III 01053 1 F 5000 XADA Asst Co Welf Dir 00083 1 F 5000 X4SH SS Prog Analyst 01687 1 F 5202 XADD SS Div Mgr 00102 1 F 5300 it i of00528 1 F 5000 JWXB CLERK-EXP LVL 00384 1 V 5400 if. 00476 1 V 5300 01423 1 V 5201 02070 1 V 5000 02099 1 V 5000 02100 1 V 5000 02101 1 V 5300 02118 1 V 5400 JWXC CLERK-SENIOR LVL 01997 1 V 5300 J3TD SECRETARY 01066 1 F 5000 XDWC SENIOR PROG AIDE 01156 1 V 5000 it ofT9998 .3 F 5002 XOWB S. CASEWORK SPECI 01853 1 F 5002 11 it01856 1 V 5300 XOVB S. CASEWORK SPCII 00005 1 F ** 5300 11 tv00317 1 F ** 5300 to of00980 1 F ** 5204 it it00982 1 V 5300 of it01272 1 F ** 5002 to of01570 1 F** 5204 XOHA SOCIAL WK SUP II 00110 1 F ** 5400 it of01859 1 V 5300 XOVC SOCIAL WORKER 00913 1 . V 5002 of it01725 1 F ** 5000 It It01727 1 F 5204 it to01897 1 F 5000 itSOCIAL WORKER 01903 1 V * Management/Administrative Support Position ** Anticipated Early Retirement NOTE: Positions listed are full-time unless otherwise noted. an.dlak 1 BDRES.cao PASSED by unanimous vote of Board members present on April 7, 1992. I hereby certify that this is a true and corrxt ;.uPy 01 an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors o�n�the (Idate shown. ATTESTED: PHIL BATC LOR,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By Deputy 9 RESOLUTION NO. 92/222 . . .. �u „ . ,,. ,� =�...... .. . . ...�1. .:�:. ATTACHMENT C County Administrator Contra Board of Supervisors Tom Powers County Administration Building Costa Ut District s 651 Pine Street,11th Floor J Nancy C.Fanden Martinez,California 94553-1229County 2nd District (510)646-4080 Robert t.Schroder Phil Batchelor 3rd District County Administrator =- `_-� Sunne Wright McPeak 4th District Tom Tortakson > 5th District .Trq•CO U'v'C'� March 23, 1992 Dear Social Service Department Employee: Subject: Voluntary Workforce Reduction Options Survey The Social Service Department is facing a $5 million budget deficit this fiscal year, driven primarily by increases in General Assistance costs and shortfalls in State realignment revenues. Adverse court decisions this year reversed the Board's actions to establish lower GA payments to clients in shared-housing situations or homeless shelters. Back payments to those clients and continued higher payment levels are responsible for $2.9 million of the budget overrun; AFDC caseload increases are responsible for $1 million of the budget overrun. The other $1.1 million is attributed to lower sales tax revenue than projected by the State for realignment programs. The Social Service Department is not the only general fund department facing major fiscal problems this year and next. The State deficit is now estimated at $6 billion and it is certain that the counties will be forced to bear a substantial burden of this deficit. With great regret, the Department and I will be recommending specific workforce reductions to the Board on Tuesday, April 7, 1992 to be effective close of business May 1, 1992. In accordance with applicable Memoranda of Understanding, the Department is exploring staff interest in possible alternatives to help reduce the Department's deficit. One alternative is early retirement. The Board approved this option for eligible employees in certain job classifications on March 17, 1992 and appropriate notifications are being sent under separate cover. Other possible options which may be applicable and available to those in your class are outlined in the attached voluntary survey questionnaire. Please complete and return the questionnaire no later than March 30, 1992. Remember that you should be prepared to act on your responses. The Personnel Department and Social Service Department staff will review survey responses. We will contact you to reconfirm any choices in which you have expressed an interest prior to implementing any changes in your status. The County will consider all employee responses. Except as may be required in Memoranda of Understanding, the County is not required to approve any response. However, it is the County's objective to accept proposals which will help to reduce County costs (without at the same time incurring other costs). Please keep in mind, however, that persons who may be directly impacted by the layoff may not be able to avoid layoff at this time by choosing a part-time position, voluntary time off (or furlough days) without pay, or a leave of absence without pay. Thank you for your consideration of these options and your suggestions on additional ways to help reduce the Social Service Department budget deficit. You may contact the County Personnel Department staff at 646-4071 or the Social Services Department Personnel Unit staff at 313-1520 with any questions you have about this survey and your possible responses. Sincerely, At Phil Batchelor County Administrator enclosure losurvyz VOLUNTARY WORKFORCE REDUCTION OPTIONS SURVEY RETURN BY: Monday, March 30, 1992 TO: COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT 651 Pine Street-3rd Floor Martinez, CA 94553 NAME: PCN: EMPLOYEE NUMBER: CLASSIFICATION: ASSIGNMENT/PROGRAM: WORK LOCATION: WORK PHONE NUMBER PLEASE MARK ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: ❑ I would like to take a voluntary leave of absence without pay from to .(Must be more than 15 consecutive days.) ❑ 1 am interested in permanently reducing my hours to part-time. I understand my accrual rate will be pro-rated based on the ad* ted position hours chosen. EI32/40 El24/40 LJ 20/40 ❑ -P.I. 'Permanent Intermittent:Not a fixed schedule,call-in hourly,as needed;pro-rata accruals based on hours worked;no Retirement;Groups Health Plans available with employee paying full cost(no County contribution). ❑ I am interested in job-sharing. (Please be specific about what you would be willing to do in this area. ❑ I am interested in taking furlough days (voluntary time off without pay), while my leave accrual rates remain the same as they are presently. (Cannot exceed 15 consecutive days in any one period.) ❑ # hours VTO per day for the period to ❑ # hours VTO per week for the period to ❑ # hours VTO per month for the period to ❑ # days VTO per month for the period to ❑ Other(Please specify.) ❑ I am interested in discussing further a bid for transfer or voluntary demotion to any class in the Eligibility Worker Series,for which one meets the minimum qualifications, if one is offered. ❑ I am not interested/able to accept any of the above alternatives at this time. ❑ Yes, I have suggestions on additional ways to help reduce the Social Service Department's budget deficit. (Please use the back of this questionaire to list your suggestions.) OPTIONS Attachment D to April 7, 1992 Agenda Item 2 . 1 The Board had before it this day' the report of the County Administrator and the Acting County Welfare Director on the Status of Budget and Social Service Department Reduction Plan - Phase I . Following the review of the report and of State guidelines by Phil Batchelor, the County Administrator, and Rose Manning, the Acting County Welfare Director, the Chair noted that she had received numerous "Request to Speak" cards. The following persons appeared and commented on the recommendations contained in the report: Art Schroeder, 706 Seaview Drive, El Cerrito, representing the West County Gray Panthers, opposed recommendations before the Board. Jean Siri, 1015 Leneve Place, El Cerrito, representing West Contra Costa Conservation League, advised that the cuts proposed and the caseloads are not acceptable. Kagey Dorosl, 1305 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, requested that the proposed cuts be referred to a Board Committee for the Social Service Budget and that unions be involved as a part of this process. Damita Davis Howard, 661 27th Avenue, representing SEIU Local 535, urged the Board not to make cuts in adult protective services , but rather to re-evaluate the proposed cuts. Ruth Lederman, 16 Donald Drive, Orinda, representing the Gray Panthers, addressed her remarks to elder abuse and the proposed cuts of 3 or 4 people from this program. A. M. Riskin, M.D. 16 Donald Drive, Orinda, representing the Gray Panthers, suggested taking money from National Guard programs to get dollars. Dan Freudenthal, 607 Clayton, E1 Cerrito, representing the Advisory Council on Aging, urged the Board to listen carefully to all the speakers who preceded him. Joseph Polmeri, 1620 Manor Drive, representing the Greater Richmond Agency on Aging and the Commission on Aging, suggested opening arms to the poor, commenting that when you neglect the poor, problems start to happen, but when the poor and those who need help are taken care of, society gets help. Mary Ann Patrick, 1380 Contra Costa Avenue, San Pablo, representing the Advisory Council of Aging in San Pablo, commented that you can' t not take care of the elderly and suggested using volunteers for many of the jobs that at one time were paid jobs. Phil Berthenthal, Contra Costa Legal Service Foundation, urged the Board not to blame the victims, commenting that the rise in General Assistance in the County is due to the economic situation, and that the folks living in the homeless shelters want jobs and training. Mr. Berthenthal urged the Board not to adopt Recommendation No. 6, but rather to refer it to the Internal Operations Committee for an appropriate long-term discussion. Georgia Stockton, 1140 Arlington Way, Martinez, representing Family & Community Services of Contra Costa, Pleasant Hill Senior Center, spoke on child protective services. Sylvia Chipman, 402 Harbour Way, Richmond, representing the East Bay Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention, cautioned that elder abuse is on the rise. Barbara Murfin, 1305 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, representing Local 535, talked about proposed worker layoffs. Paul Knight, 1726 Gaynor Avenue, Richmond, representing the West County Senior Services Network, spoke on behalf of frail elders. Attachment D, page 2 Elizabeth Keys, P. O. Box 1029 , Richmond, representing Contra Costa Legal Assistance for the Elderly, spoke of proposed personnel cuts for those serving. the elderly and suggested that personnel cuts for service should be a solution of last resort. Alyn Goldsmith, 30 Muir Road, Martinez, Social Services Union 535, disagreed with proposal to centralize adult protective services. The Chair noted that John Boylan, 24 Alan Court, Apt. B, San Pablo did not wish to speak, but left comments against reducing the number of adult protective services workers; Abby Schofield, 2100 Walnut Street, Martinez, who expressed concern about the increase in the number of the elderly abuse cases; and Jil Dechter, 1940 Sunshine Drive, Concord who indicated she is against the recommendations.