Agenda - 12-03-2007-4r - Laserfiche WebLink

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3. The average number of children receiving subsidy through Social Services will increase from the average of 708 for 2006-2007. 4. The number of funding sources will increase from the baseline of seven in 2006-2007. Another recommendation of the task force was that agencies providing subsidy continue to study issues including access to services. The Social Services Board studied access issues and has determined that there are advantages to combining the two main subsidies programs for administrative purposes. In 2001-2002, all counties were required to consolidate their two main subsidy programs (Social Services and Smart Start) unless a county submitted a request to operate a dual child care subsidy system. Since both Child Care Services Association and Social Services were providing subsidy in 2001, a request to operate a dual system was approved in 2001. Since the time of the application for the dual subsidy system, some changes have occurred in the subsidy program. First, the amount of funds available through Smart Start for subsidy has not grown whereas the state and federal funding available through Social Services (DSS) for subsidy has grown 69% from $2,691,324 to $4,570,922. There has also been increasing support from the Board of County Commissioners to help with serving employed parents on the waiting list including the continued support for the sponsorship program and the "payback" funds for County employees. The current total costs for DSS to administer this program is about $375,000 for four social workers, one supervisor and administrative support provided through the agency's central services. During this same time period, Smart Start subsidy has decreased from $1,470,527 to $1,441,000. The total administrative cost for all staff administering those funds is $263,843. The Department of Social Services estimates that with an additional three positions, it could administer both the Smart Start subsidy as well as the growing DSS subsidy program in 2008- 2009. The costs for adding these positions are estimated to be around $160,000. If Smart Start funds in this amount were made available to DSS, then DSS could provide the same level of service at no extra cost to the County and approximately $100,000 in Smart Start administrative funds could be available to redirect into the subsidy program to serve children on the waiting list. The Social Services Board recommends that DSS explore the possibilities of combining the Smart Start subsidy program with the existing subsidy program at DSS. The goal of consolidation would be to: • Create one entity for families accessing public subsidies. • Develop one waiting list that clearly defines the number of Orange County residents needing and waiting for subsidy. • Reduce administrative costs so that more County and State funds can be directed to subsidy payments and thereby reducing wait time for families. • Reduce the administrative time needed by providers to complete contracts and billing information. • Provide comprehensive data to the Board of County Commissioners about the services and needs of families in Orange County. The provision of Smart Start services is governed by a local board, the Orange County Partnership for Young Children. The Partnership has released requests for proposals for the