HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-07-2009 - 4hC3RANGE couNTY
BOARD OF CaMMISSIONERS
ACTIN AGENDA [TEI~ ABSTRACT
Mee~rng Dade: April ~, 2009
Action Agenda
ire m N a.
SUBJECT: Authorizafiion of Time-~imified Staff at Social Services
DEPARTMENT: Social Services pUB~IC HEARiNC: ~YIN~ No
ATTACHMENT(S):
IN~'ORMATiON CONTACT:
Nancy Coston, 245-2800
Michael McGinnis, 245-2550
PURPOSE: To cansider establishing fiwo time-limited income mainfienance positions utilizing
sfiimulus funds to assist with the increased workload in Food and Nutrition Services and to
.,consider extending time~limited positions employed through the Work First Demonstration
Grant.
BACKGRnUND: The recently passed federal stimulus bill provided temporary funding for
administration of fihe Food and Nutrition program at Social ~ Services. The Department
anticipates funds becoming available in April and these funds can be used for any new staff
costs associated with this ,program. Although fihe exact allocation is not yet known, sufficient
funds are expected to pay for one or two positions and will be available through September
201 o with no required match.
As the Board is aware, the caseload for this program has grown significanfily during this year
and is expected to confiinue to increase until economic conditions improve. The Departmenfi of
Social Services is requesting two new time-limited full~time positions be creafied as soon as fihe
funding aufihorization is received, thereby allowing Grange County fio maximize fihe available
federal funds. Based on consulfiation with the Human Resources Department, the appropriafie
classification for these positions would be Income Maintenance Caseworker I. If the additional
federal funds are not sufficient fio support two full~fiime positions, fihe agency proposes to create
one full time position and to utilize any remaining funds to pay overtime, part-time staff or
temporary staff.
Currently fihere are also four fiime~limited positions two social workers and two community social
service technicians} employed in the Work First Demonstrafiion Grant. The Department has
been informed that some funds will be available next year for continuation of the project
although fihe exact amount is not yet known. All employees in these positions understand their
positions will end on June 30, 2009 unless these funds are received. To assure continuation of
2
services, the Department is requesting that these positions be extended through June 30, 2g~o,
contingent on receiving ongoing funding.
FINANCIAL II~PACT~ Although this action will add two permanent FTE's in the Econonnic
Services Divisions at Social Services, the total costs for these positions are to be covered by
federal funds with no additional County costs.
R~CflMI~ENDATIC~N~S~. The Manager recon~n~ends the Board authorize the creation of two
Income Maintenance Caseworker I positions through September, 20~ 4 upon receipt of a funding
authorization for the costs, and that the Board extend the four time~Iimited positions in the Uvork
First Demonstration project through June 3D, 20~ o dependent on receiving funds to support
these positions.