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October 30, 2014 - The integration of eligibility and enrollment processes of health and human services (HHS) programs has long been an important issue for the state. In this report, we focus on the integration of three key HHS programs: the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal), CalFresh, and the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. We also raise several issues for legislative consideration, including (1) determining the appropriate balance between local control and standardized statewide processes, (2) considering whether automation systems currently under development could be leveraged to strengthen integration, and (3) considering whether additional programs should be integrated.
October 9, 2014 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Human Services
June 2, 2014 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee
April 10, 2014 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services
April 10, 2014 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government
March 26, 2014 - In January 2014, the FI$Cal Project submitted, and the Department of Technology approved, special project report (SPR) 5, which updates the project plans. The SPR 5 includes changes in the project's scope, implementation schedule, and future staffing levels. In this report, we find that SPR 5 reduces overall project risk and make recommendations concerning (1) the project's annual reporting requirement to the Legislature and (2) recruitment and retention issues. Ultimately, we believe that the benefits of proceeding with FI$Cal development outweigh the inherent risks that remain, and therefore recommend approval of the Governor’s budget proposal that reflects a reasonable funding plan to implement the updated project plan (SPR 5).
March 19, 2014 - In this report, we review the administration’s 2014-15 budget proposal to continue legal activities related to the suspended 21st Century Project (TFC). We find that the Governor’s 2014-15 budget proposes funding for outside legal counsel at roughly one-half of the State Controller's Office's (SCO) estimate of projected costs, and therefore recommend that the Legislature budget the full estimate instead. In addition, we find that an independent assessment of the TFC Project is a necessary precursor to addressing the state’s unmet need for an updated human resources management and payroll system. As the Governor's proposal lacks such an assessment, we recommend the Legislature appropriate additional resources to SCO for such an assessment. We provide details on what such an assessment should include.
March 11, 2014 - Presented to Senate Human Services Committee and Assembly Human Services Committee
February 20, 2014 - In this report, we analyze the Governor's 2014-15 human services budget proposals. In it, we (1) recommend that the Legislature consider modifications to the Governor's proposed response to new federal regulations concerning overtime in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs; (2) find that although the Governor's California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) budget proposal raises valid concerns, the Legislature should reject the proposal; and (3) recommend several modifications to the Governor's comprehensive proposal to reform the Community Care Licensing (CCL) program in light of recent health and safety issues discovered at residential care and other CCL-licensed facilities.
February 11, 2014 - Presented to Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees
August 8, 2013 - This report provides an overview of child abuse and neglect trends, explains the state and county roles in the Child Welfare Services (CWS) system, and examines the outcomes of children involved with the CWS system. In general, CWS outcomes have improved since the last decade. Foster children spend, on average, less time in foster care (which is generally considered a positive trend), are more quickly reunified with their families, and have more permanency in their living situations. However, this report raises several issues for the Legislature to consider in improving outcomes for children in the CWS system. In the report, we discuss how child well-being is not adequately measured in the CWS system and we suggest options for improving the evaluation of child well-being. We also raise issues related to improving group home quality through provider rate reform and accreditation standards. Finally, we make suggestions for how the current 2011 Realignment growth funding allocation process could be modified to provide county incentives for improved performance.
August 6, 2013 - Since 2009, the state has used a computer data matching process known as the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) to identify certain military veterans who receive Medi-Cal services and may be able to voluntarily shift to health care services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). We find that the fiscal and policy benefits from the state's current implementation of PARIS Veterans activities are limited, due to resource constraints and a problematic approach to outreach. We recommend that the Legislature provide additional resources to conduct a new pilot that tests a modified approach to PARIS Veterans outreach. We also find that the state has not pursued a major source of savings related to the PARIS Veterans match: counting a type of USDVA monetary benefit known as aid and attendance toward the costs of the In-Home Supportive Services program. We recommend that the Legislature require the administration to report on the rationale for current policies that prevent the state from realizing these savings.
June 5, 2013 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee
March 21, 2013 - Presented to Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services
March 13, 2013 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services, Hon. Holly J. Mitchell, Chair