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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-04-1998 - 9g I~ 1 Orange County Board of Commissioners Agenda Abstract Meeting Date: March 4, 1998 Action Agenda Item # Subject: Child Protective Services Funding and New Positions Department: Social Services Public Hearing Yes----No--X-- Attachment(s) Overview of NC Statutory Changes Information Contact: Marti Pryor-Cook, Director Telephone Numbers: Hillsborough - 732-8181 Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501 Purpose: To accept funding from the NC Division of Social Services and to establish seven new child protective services positions to: • Increase safety for children reported as abused and/or neglected and • Meet State staffing standards for child protective services. Background: In 1997 the NC Division of Social Services conducted a statewide child welfaze staffing study. This followed the deaths of several children due to child abuse and neglect. The purpose of this study was to determine the number of child protective services social workers needed in each local depaztment of social services to meet minimum State required staffing standazds. As a result, the 1997 General Assembly allocated funds to insure that county departments of social services had the staff needed to meet State caseload standards for child protective services. The State staffing standards are: • One Investigations Child Protective Services Social Worker for every 12 Families in the investigations caseload. • One Treatment Child Protective Services Social Worker for every 15 Families in the treatment caseload. • One Child Protective Services Supervisor for every five Child Protective Services Social Workers. 2 For the one-half year beginning January 1, 1998, the NC Division of Social Services has awazded Orange County $195,312 to hire seven additional staff in Child Protective Services. For Fiscal Year 1998-99, the NC Division of Social Services has allocated $390,624 for these positions. Orange County Social Services staff have conducted an analysis of caseloads and supervisor/worker ratios. Based on this, Social Services has determined that the State staffing standazds could best be met by adding five new Child Protective Services Social Worker positions at Salary Grade 70 ($32,303 - $51,365) and two Child Protective Services Supervisor positions at Salary Grade 72 ($35,615 - $56,630). In addition to meeting the State standards, these positions will enable to Orange County Social Services to provide the oversight that is critical for decision making and the effective provision of protective services to children and families. The specific outcomes to be achieved with these additional positions include the following: • 100 percent of the children reported as abused or neglected will be seen within the statutory time frames (24 hours for abuse and 72 hours for neglect). • 100 percent of the children found to be abused or neglected will have protection plans to insure their safety • 100 percent of children found to be abused will receive intense monitoring of their protection plan, ranging from daily to weekly as necessary • The number of children currently in Social Services custody over 12 months will be reduced by 25 percent. • All children residing in a home where one child has been reported abused will be assessed for signs of abuse and will receive protective services - Also in 1997, the NC General Assembly enacted several significant - changes in child abuse and neglect legislation which will have a significant impact on workload. The attachment notes a few of these changes. In addition, President Clinton has signed "The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997." The State currently is determining what changes in North Cazolina statutes will be required to comply with the new Federal law. Cleazly, there is increased local, state, and national focus on the protection of children and the responsibility to provide children a permanent home. Child protective services are required by State law and the Orange County Department of Social Services serves as an agent of the State in this essential program area. Investigations must be conducted and services provided to any child/family where a child is at risk of harm, in accordance with State policy and procedures. In Orange County, Child Protective Services Social Workers and Supervisors have workloads that exceed State standards. For Fiscal Year 1997-98, the Board of County Commissioners approved and funded two permanent Child Protective Services Social Worker positions to address the workload in the current budget year. Also for 1997-98 the Board approved establishing two "recruitment" Child Protective Services Social Worker positions on a time limited basis to be funded from lapsed salaries and used to address turnover. The additional State funding for seven new positions along with the positions already approved in 1997- 98 will enable Orange County Social Services to meet State and national standards. From 3uly through December 1997, Orange County Child Protective Services assessed 552 Orange County children for risk of harm. The number of families receiving treatment services varied between 172 and 199. The number of children receiving treatment services varied between 301 and 360. In summary, Social Services, as an agent of the State for child abuse and neglect intake, investigations, and treatment services, has received funding of $195,312 through June 30, 1998 and $390,624 for FY 1998- 99. The purpose of these funds is to enable the Social Services Department to meet State staffing standazds and to increase the level of safety for children who have been reported abused and/or neglected. The County funds required to match State and Federal funds for Fiscal Year 1997-98 (about $34,000) and Fiscal Yeaz 1998-99 (about $80,000) aze available in the budget and no additional County funds aze required. On February 17, 1998 the Orange County Social Services Boazd voted to support the increased funding from the State for the seven new Child Protective Services positions. Recommend~t~n:~° The Manager recommends the Board approve accepting the funding from the NC Division of Social Services and establish the proposed seven new permanent full time Child Protective Services positions to meet State staffing standards and the County's responsibility as an agent of the State in providing child protective services. 4 Attachment 1997 Statutory Changes Enacted By The North Carolina General Assembly Change: All children in the home are considered victim children when a report of abuse or neglect is received and must be seen within the established timeframes. Impact: Dramatically increases the number of children who must be seen within the 24/72 hour timeframes by requiring more immediate assessment of all children in the home. Change: The grounds for termination of parental rights was amended to facilitate permanence for children in cases where the parents are not making progress toward reunification. Impact: More children will be freed for adoption requiring more recruitment and retention of foster care and adoptive homes. Change: The definition of a neglected juvenile was amended to state that it is relevant if the child lives in a home where another child has been abused or neglected. Impact: This should result in more children being assessed for their need for protective services. It also provides the legal basis for including other children in the home in a neglect petition. Change: The definition of a dependent juvenile was broadened by deleting reference to "physical or mental incapacity" as the cause of the parent's inability to provide for a child. Impact: This broadens the legal basis for finding a child dependent. Additional Note: President Clinton has signed The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 providing for increased focus on safety and permanence for children. The impact of this is not really known at this time. However, it is clear that there is substantial interest at all levels in providing safety and permanence for children.