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February 13, 2012 - Currently, three automation systems make up California’s Statewide Automated Welfare System (SAWS). These systems support some of the state’s major health and human services programs by providing eligibility determination, case maintenance, and reporting functions at the county level. Chapter 13, Statutes of 2011 (ABX1 16, Blumenfield) directs the administration to reduce this number to two by migrating, or moving, counties on an existing system to Los Angeles County’s new system. In this report, we identify several issues for the Legislature to consider as the administration pursues legislative goals for SAWS consolidation. We offer alternative procurement approaches for the migration that would encourage greater vendor competition. Finally, we make several recommendations to enhance legislative oversight and clarify legislative priorities for SAWS consolidation.
January 3, 2012 - Over the past several years, the state has experienced waitlists in county jails to transfer those deemed incompetent to stand trial (IST) to state hospitals for treatment. In response to the waitlist, which averages between 200 and 300 individuals a month, the Department of Mental Health began a pilot program in San Bernardino County to treat ISTs in county jail instead of at a state hospital. This report finds that the pilot program has greater flexibility to hold down costs and has been able to restore ISTs to competency in a shorter amount of time than state hospitals. We find that if the pilot program is expanded, it has the potential to significantly reduce the waitlist, as well as reduce costs to the public sector.
September 29, 2011 - An Overview of Federal Funding in California
June 28, 2011 - Assembly Committee on Human Services and Assembly Select Committee on Foster Care Hon. Jim Beall, Chair
May 10, 2011 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Human Services Hon. Carol Liu, Chair
February 2, 2011 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 On Corrections, Public Safety and the Judiciary Hon. Loni Hancock, Chair
February 2, 2011 - The Governor proposes $1.5 billion in budget solutions for CalWORKs. In this handout we summarize the Governor’s proposals, assess their impacts, and present alternative approaches to achieving General Fund savings in CalWORKs. Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 On Health and Human Services Hon. Holly Mitchell, Chair
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