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January 29, 2010 - For the special session, the Governor proposes solutions for social services programs totaling $121 million in 2009‑10 and $2.6 billion in 2010‑11. The state Department of Social Services (DSS) oversees most of these programs. There are two main types of proposed solutions: expenditure reductions and fund shifts (federal, county, and special funds). In addition to the General Fund savings, adoption of this package would result in the loss of about $3 billion in federal funds, assuming that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is extended through June 30, 2010. In this piece we provide our analysis of the Governor’s proposals, in some cases offer alternative approaches, and recommend the actions that we believe the Legislature should take on them at this time.
January 22, 2010 - The Governor’s various proposed actions to obtain savings in the current and budget years through actions in the special session have significant implications for the state’s health services programs. In this report, we (1) discuss some of the key overriding issues relating to the Governor’s plan, (2) summarize the Governor’s health budget proposals, and (3) provide our initial comments on a number of the major proposals in each specific program area. We note that we are still receiving information about these proposals from the administration that may prompt us to modify our recommendations. (Revised: 1/24/2010)
January 21, 2010 - In this seven minute video, analyst Ginni Bella Navarre summarizes the findings from our report, Considering the State Costs and Benefits: In-Home Supportive Services Program.
January 21, 2010 -
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program is the fastest–growing major social services program, providing care for over 430,000 recipients, at an annual total cost of about $5.5 billion. The program, which is available to low-income elderly and disabled persons, provides various services to recipients in their own homes and can enhance the quality of life for recipients by making it easier to live at home.
For many recipients, the program allows individuals to live at home rather than in an institutional setting (typically, a nursing home). By preventing—or at least delaying—the move to a nursing home, the program can save money for the state. In this report we look at the net fiscal impact of the IHSS program on the public sector and conclude that the state maximizes its net fiscal impact by targeting IHSS services to those recipients who are most likely to enter a nursing home in the absence of the program. Given the state’s continuing fiscal problems, we offer additional options for the Legislature to consider that can achieve state savings through increased targeting.
(Short video introducing this report)
November 18, 2009 - Presented to Senate Health Committee
November 11, 2009 - In this four-minute video, analyst Erika Li summarizes the LAO report Expanding Multi–Stage Procurements for Large IT Systems.
November 11, 2009 -
The state's traditional approach for IT procurement, called the firm fixed price (FFP) procurement, creates a prescriptive process that gives equal footing to all vendors to help ensure open competition and reduce the state’s exposure to protests and potential lawsuits due to perceived vendor bias. As an alternative the state is beginning to look to so-called multi–stage procurement because it creates a collaborative environment for state and vendor staff. Our analysis indicates that an earlier evaluation of procurement strategy can reduce the risks of cost overruns and schedule delays, so we recommend that the Legislature require state entities to include procurement strategies in project documents when they submit them for approval.
(Short video summary)
October 28, 2009 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Committee and Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services
June 9, 2009 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee
June 9, 2009 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee
June 9, 2009 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee
May 28, 2009 - Seventy-five percent of California foster youth perform below grade level standards, and by third grade 83 percent of foster youth have had to repeat a grade. We believe the state and local programs must reprioritize the way existing funds are spent in order to improve educational opportunities for foster youth. We recommend changing guidelines to provide certain services to all current and recent foster youth, expanding programs to include academic counseling and completion of education passports, and consolidating programs at County Offices of Educations. We also suggest convening a workgroup to address the transportation needs of K-12 and postsecondary foster youth.
May 27, 2009 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee
April 27, 2009 - Assembly Member De La Torre requested our assistance in determining the savings that could be achieved by expanding the Family Cost Participation Program (FCPP) to all services purchased by Regional Centers (RC) for consumers. We estimate that this expansion (excluding RC operations and 24-hour care) when fully implemented after about three years could yield ongoing, net annual General Fund savings ranging between about $11 million and $19 million depending on the number of participating consumers.
April 1, 2009 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services