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February 1, 2011 - Total expenditures for the regional center system that provides services for persons with developmental disabilities more than doubled between 1999-00 and 2009-10, leading to a series of actions by the Legislature to slow down the growth in the program. In this report, we describe and assess proposals in the Governor’s 2011-12 budget plan to achieve further cost containment in programs administered by the Department of Developmental Services, including community services. We recommend approval of the Governor’s budget proposals to (1) extend the 4.25 percent provider payment reduction and the commensurate reduction to regional center (RC) operations, and (2) obtain additional federal funds for services provided through the developmental centers and the RCs. We also recommend the Legislature either expand the existing Family Cost Participation Program or implement means testing to determine who is eligible to receive these state services.These changes, we would acknowledge, represent a significant departure from the policies originally adopted in the Lanterman Act but would help ensure the long-term sustainability of the program for those consumers with the greatest financial need for its services.
January 26, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education
January 26, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services
January 26, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services
January 25, 2011 - This handout reviews the In-Home Supportive Services proposals and provides comments and alternatives.
January 25, 2011 - The Governor’s budget proposal would realign the child welfare system to counties in 2011-12 and shift $1.6 billion in tax revenues to counties in lieu of General Fund. This handout provides information on that proposal.
January 24, 2011 - The Governor’s budget plan provides $2.2 billion for child care and development (CCD) in 2011-12—a reduction of $535 million, or 19 percent, compared to the current year. To achieve these savings he proposes several significant changes to current policies. In assessing the Governor’s CCD proposals and building its own CCD package, we recommend the Legislature: (1) balance access to and quality of care, (2) prioritize services for those who most need them, and (3) prioritize direct service over administrative activities. Consistent with these principles, we recommend the Legislature reject the Governor’s proposal to cut state subsidies by 35 percent, reconsider the Governor’s proposal to restore CalWORKs Stage 3 child care, and approve—perhaps in modified form—his proposals to change eligibility criteria and reduce administrative and support activities. We also offer the Legislature a menu of additional CCD savings options and build three illustrative CCD packages.
June 18, 2010 - Presented to The Conference Committee on the Budget
June 16, 2010 - Conference Committee on the Budget
June 14, 2010 - Presented to The Conference Committee on the Budget
June 14, 2010 - The Conference Committee on the Budget
June 14, 2010 - Recently, there has been significant legislative and public interest in the state’s Every Woman Counts (EWC) program for breast cancer early detection. We provide background on the EWC program and other state breast cancer programs and describe the recent history of the program, including caseload and funding trends and recent program changes. We also recommend the Legislature adopt a modified version of the Governor’s May Revision cost containment proposals, consider redirecting existing funding for research to direct clinical services, and improve transparency and oversight by requiring the administration to prepare a formal budget estimate for the EWC program.
June 8, 2010 - Presented to The Conference Committee on the Budget
June 7, 2010 - Presented to the Budget Conference Committee.
June 7, 2010 - Presented to the Budget Conference Committee.