Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSoc Svcs Ann Rept FY1999-2000Albemarle County Department of Social Services Annual Report to Board of Supervisors for Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000 Albemarle Annual Re' of Social Services Supervisors Service Mission The mission of Albemarle Social Services is to provide services that promote responsibility, individual worth, family integrity, and commitment to community. In Albemarle County, social services are provided via five broad program areas. They are: Benefit Programs - provide medical, financial and food stump assistance to the citizens of Albemarle, paid from Federal, State, and local funds. - Food Stamps - This program provides coupons to income-eligible persons for the purchase of vital foodstuffs. - General Relief- This program provides temporary maintenance payments for disabled persons, as well as payments for care of children not living with blood relatives. It also provides burial assistance for those who have no family and no means to pay burial expenses. - Auxiliary Grants: Aged and Disabled - These programs provide payments to Homes for Adults on behalf of income eligible clients to pay for sbelter, food and some personal care. - TANF - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - Provides temporary financial assistance to income-eligible families. - State/Local Hospitalization - This program uses local funds to match State funds to reimburse hospitals for care given to indigent residents. - Refugee Resettlement - Provides temporary f'mancial assistance to refugees. - Energy Assistance - Provides assistance to low-income households for wood, coal, gas, oil, or electricity, and is administered by Social Services from October through February. - Medicaid - Determination of eligibility for Federal medical assistance. Service Programs - provide the following services directly, or via purchase of service: Adult Prevention and Support, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoption, Home Based Companion Services, Family Prevention and Support Services, Transportation, the Emergency Utility Program, and Foster Family/Provider Recruitment and Training. - Adult Protective Services - The investigation of complaints and the provision of services for adults who are abused, neglected, or exploited. - Adult Services - Program enabling an adult to remain in the least restrictive setting and to function independently. - Child Protective Services - Program investigating complaints and providing services both to children who are abused or neglected, and to their families. This program also performs court-ordered custody investigations. - Foster Care and Adoption - Services provided on behalf of children in the custody of the Department and assistance for families who adopt children. Prevention and Support Services - Services designed to prevent family break- up and violence by strengthening family functioning. - Intake Services - Screening families in need of emergency services and the provision of information administered through a contract with the Monticello Area Community Action at the Community Assessment Program. - Tri-Area Foster Families - (TAFF) - This program provides for the recruitment and training of foster parents. It includes an Independent Living Program for older foster care children whose goal it is to live independently from a family. TAFF is provided through a contract between Charlottesville Department of Social Services, Greene County Deparmaent of Social Services, and Albemarle Department of Social Services. Program Areas Continued 3. Employment and Day Care Services - provide support services inclusive of: employment counseling, education and training, child care, transportation, and other support services to low income working families and families receiving public assistance. Day Care services assist families who are either working and/or are attending school and whose children have day care needs, as well as, provide services to families who are receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and are working towards self-sufficiency. 4. Bright Stars Program - The purpose of the program is to reduce disparities among young children upon formal school entry and to reduce or eliminate those risk factors that lead to early academic failure. The program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Social services, County schools, and community agencies to provide supportive services to at-risk four year-old children. Currently, there are Bright Stars programs in five of the County's fifteen elementary schools: Stone Robinson, Agnor-Hurt, Greet, Cale and Scottsville. 5. Family Support Program - The Family Support Program is a collaborative venture among the Albemarle County Department of Social Services, the Albemarle County School Division and Community Agencies Supporting Early Intervention and Prevention Services. The program was substantially expanded in 1999, from one Family Support Worker covering two County Schools to ten Social Workers covering all fifteen County elementary schools. The program expansion adds two administrative team members and extends the Bright Stars Family Coordinators to full-time positions. The program is based on the premise that earlier and longer interventions are more effective with at-risk populations and that children whose parents actively participate in their education show the greatest progress. Deoartment Hiehlights and Accomplishments ® Albemarle County was consistently ranked in the top 10 agencies for the state on three factors of measurement for Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW): 1) percent of mandated participants employed, 2) retention rate and 3) wage at placement. ® The agency began implementation of a new mandated uniform assessment tool for Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) in the form of CAFAS - Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 2 This assessment looks at a variety of risk factors to determine service needs and is required for all cases funded through Comprehensive Services Act (CSA). As a result of having over a hundred foster care children alone coupled with all of the preventative foster care cases, this was a major undertaking. It is required to repeat the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) assessment every six months (every three months for children in residential placements). The total number of energy assistance applications taken this year was 637 versus last year's 665. Conversion of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Food Stamp cases to Application Benefit Delivery Automation Project (ADAPT) was successfully completed before the state deadline. Applied successfully for one of five slots, implemented and have now completed the pilot program for Multiple Response System (MRS). Through the workers' energy, commitment, and persistence, Albemarle was an important factor in the pilot statewide. Most importantly, we have provided a more family friendly service and, we believe, have expanded our capacity to protect children. Increased the number of children who achieve adoption within two years following Termination of Parental Rights (TPR). From 1995 97 the department averaged about two adoptions per year; with six adoptions finalized in FY 99. The total number of adoption subsidy cases has increased from 12 in FY '95 to a current caseload of 42 in FY '99. The Foster Care and Adoption unit embarked on an innovative process of reorganization to better accommodate increased caseload demands, to provide greater programmatic support and accountability, to provide for more planned caseload distribution that complements worker interests and expertise, and to facilitate increased teamwork. Worked with Jefferson Area United Transportation (JAUNT) and Albemarle County Adult Education to develop a drivers education program for Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) customers. Developed packets of helpful information about child care and employment information as well as a quarterly newsletter for all Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients. The self-sufficiency message, as it related to the temporary nature of assistance, and the '~ork first" message where appropriate, have been incorporated into both our screening and interview process. Workers explore additional or alternative income options with applicants for benefits programs, making appropriate referrals and suggestions. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 3 Adoption Foster Care and Adoption - Services provided on behalf of children in the custody of the Department and assistance for families who adopt children. Tri-Area Foster Families - (TAFF) - This program provides for the recruitment and training of foster parents. It includes an Independent Living Program for older foster care children whose goal it is to live independently from a family. TAFF is provided through a contract between Charlottesville DSS, Greene County DSS, and Albemarle DSS. Number of Children Wilh the C~al of Adol$ion for FY 1999 Moth ~, · # lq Permanent Fo~ter Care [] # V~lh Goal of,~doplion ~ In FY 1999 there was a significant increase in the number of children with the goal of adoption while there was only a slight rise in the number of children in permanent foster care. In FY 1999 the total number of children leaving Foster Care was 31. Of this number 5 were due to finalization of Adoption and 11 were returned home to their families. The remainder of children left for reasons such as emancipation, custody with a relative, commitment to DYFS or other extenuating circumstances. For FY1999 In FY 1999 there were 63 out of a total of 118 children housed in local adoptive homes in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area. There were a total of 97 children that were with Tri-Area Foster Families (TAFF). Out of the total number of children being housed, it is important to note that a number of these children are in the process of being adopted. ~ Lo~ m T/U:F n Tobt ~ Annual Report FY t999 iPage 4 Adult and Child Abuse / Neglect Adult Protective Services - The investigation of complaints and the provision of services for adults who are abused, neglected, or exploite& Adult Services - Program enabling an adult to remain in the least restrictive setting and to function independently. Child Protective Services - Program investigating complaints and providing services both to children who are abused or neglected, and to their families. This program also performs court-ordered custody investigations. Please note that the statewide conversion from CANIS to OASIS resulted in a loss of local agency statistical program information as well as produced a source of unreliable data in FY 1999 for the Adult and Child Abuse/Neglect Programs. Due to this reason, statewide statistics were used in lieu of local agency statistics for a greater degree of accuracy. ADULT AND CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT STATEWIDE STATISTICAL SUMMARY July 1, 1998- June 30, 1999 28,084 Complaints of suspected child abuse/neglect were completed by local departments of social services. 5,559 complaints were investigated and determined to be Founded. 20,909 complaints were investigated and determined to be Unfounded. 1,616 complaints were placed in an Assessment Response Track through the Multiple Response System pilot in five local departments of social services. 42,817 Victims were reported as being abused or neglected. 8,237 victims were in complaints with Founded dispositions. 32,368 victims were in complaints with Unfounded dispositions. 2,212 victims were in complaints that received an Assessment Response through the Multiple Response System. Of the Victims in Founded Complaints: 51.5% were female. 48.5% were male. 50.9% were White. 39.9% were Black. 5.1% were Hispanic. 3.9% were Bi-racial. .2% were other races. 34,851 Caretakers were reported as suspected abusers/neglectors. 6,564 caretakers were in complaints with Founded dispositions. 26,551 caretakers were in complaints with Unfounded dispositions. 1,736 caretakers were in complaints that received an Assessment Response through the Multiple Response System. Of the Caretakers in Founded Complaints: 77.83% of abuse/neglect was committed by parents. 8.35% of abuse/neglect was committed by other relatives. 5.12% of abuse/neglect was committed by paramours. 4.08% of abuse/neglect was committed in out of family settings. 3.62% of abuse/neglect was committed by other caretakers. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 5 Adult and Child Abuse / Neglect - Continued Of the Settings in Founded Complaints: 39.29% of abuse/neglect occurred in one-parent households. 44.34% of abuse/neglect occurred in two-parent households. 3.97% of abuse/neglect occurred in out of family settings. 12.40% of abuse/neglect occurred in other settings. Type of Founded Abuse/Neglect: Physical Abuse Physical Neglect Mental Abuse/Neglect Other Abuse/Neglect Sexual Abuse 24.29% 54.94% 3.85% 3.89% 13.02% 35 children died as a result of child abuse/neglect. 1,815 children were placed in other homes, either by the agency or by the parents, as a result of the abuse/neglect being investigated. 10,578 individuals from founded complaints, and 6,377 individuals from unfounded complaims received post- investigative services that were planned, arranged, or provided by the local department. Child Protective Services Disposition By Child for FY 1999 450* As noted in the graph, Albemarle County leads the Region in Child Protective Services Disposition by Child for FY 1999. This data was converted from VDSS/Child Abuse and Neglect Information System (CANIS) to Online Automated Services Information System (OASIS). Annual Report FY 1999 Page 6 Auxiliary Grants Program ~[uxiliary Grants: Aged and Disabled - These programs provide payments to Homes for Adults on behalf of income eligible clients to pay for shelter, food and some personal care. Auxiliary Grant Caseload FY 98199 Month IDisabled 1Aged Albemarle County has consistently provided assistance to residents on an on-going basis as indicated by the Aged and Disabled Auxiliary Grant Caseloads. Throughout FY 1999, the Aged Cases Under Care increased by 30% and the Disabled Cases Under Care has indicated a slight decrease of 8%. Albemarle has continued to provide an undiminished level of assistance to Homes for Adults on behalf of income eligible clients. Auxiliary Grant Disabled Applications For FY 1999 2 Month Applications Received Applications Denied Cases Pending over 45 Days ~Cases Added Cases Closed/Transferred FY 1999 saw an increase in cases added to the Auxiliary Grants Aged Caseload of 15. Applications received indicated an average of 3 submitted per month as compared to an average of 1 denied per month for the fiscal year. Auxiliary Grants Aged Applications For FY 1999 10 9 8 6 5 4 :~ 3 2 1 0 *="I'"IAppli(~lions ~ C-~ses P~'x:ling o~r 46 D~ ~C~ses Add~ As indicated by the Disabled Applications for FY 1999, there continues to be a constant fluctuation in case application activity. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 7 Bright Stars Bright Stars, the pre-school program for 4 year olds who are at risk of developing problems that could result in poor school performance, began the school year with four school-based sites. A program located at Cale was added to those already operating at Stone-Robinson, Greer and Agnor-Hurt Elementary Schools. The grant fi:om the Virginia Pre-School Initiative increased to $120,127 to help fund the additional program and the County matched the state dollars with $177,616.00 in cash and additional in-kind contributions. Martha Jefferson Hospital awarded Bright Stars $5,000.00 under the Child Health Improvemem Award Program to be used for dental screenings and care. The University of Virginia provided stipends to Bright Stars Teachers and Family Coordinators for their assistance in Robert Pianta's Kindergarten Transition Studies. Community partners such as Children, Youth and Family Services, Thomas Jefferson Health Department, MACAA, Child Health Partnership, Region Ten and the Albemarle County School Division gave substantial "in-kind" support to Bright Stars through the provision of training, transportation, space, maintenance, supervision and health services. The Bright Stars Teachers and Teacher's Aides were experienced early childhood educators. In 1998- 1999, all four sites implemented the "High/Scope" Curriculum. The Bright Stars Team Leaders/Family Coordinators are experienced in child development, family systems, and home visiting and child advocacy. They act as case mamgers for the current class of Bright Stars and the alumni Bright Stars and their families. The Family Coordinators organized monthly Family Nights for Bright Stars children and families. These Family Nights were in addition to larger, all-school events such as Open House, Back to School Night, a Read-a-Thon, Math Night, and Dr. Seuss Game Night. In 1998-99, parent attendance at these events increased at all four school sites. In school year 1998-99, between 59-64 four-year- olds participated in the Bright Stars Progran~ These children enjoyed daily interaction with peers, exposure to the culture of the public school, instruction from caring teachers and volunteers and the oppommity to develop the skills necessary for them to enter kindergarten ready to learn. BRIGHT STARS 1999 $400,000.00 $300,000.00 $200,000.00 $100,000.00 FY 1 999 ~PR EX lAC EX r"l P R RE r-lAC RE OJECTED PENDITURE TUAL PENDITURE OJECTED VENUE TUAL VENUE Annual Report FY 1999 Page 8 Budget and Finance FY 1998-1999 Local Dollar Progress Jm Jtl Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jm Feb ~ Month According to the Local Dollar Spreadsheet Year In Review, the agency consistently under-spent each month for the FY 1999. Albemarle County Cost Center Breakdown 4% 0% 7% 14% 2t% 54% [] V.RA. Managare~ ~V.P.A. Beneft Programs nV. RA. Serv~e ~ograrm 53011 53012 53013 D V. RA. E~oym~ S~v~ 1V. Pg. M~d - U~A ~V.RA. En~gy ~sb~mce ~014 ~15 5~16 As evidenced it the chart to the left, V.P.A. Service Programs Cost Center comprised over half of the entire county budget in FY 1999. Albemarle County Salary By Cost (~mler Breakdown V. PA. Managem~ · V.P~. Ben~ Progm~s 53011 53012 DV. RA. En~oy~ ~ IV.Pg. ~bd - U~A 53014 53015 [] V. RA. Saree ~ogran's 53013 [] V. RA. Enmgy Assbtance 53016 According to the chart, the main contributors to salary costs are the Service Programs and the Benefit Programs. It is also important to note that Energy Assistance only contributes in part-time wages. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 9 Employment Services Program ~mployment and Day Care Services - provide employment, education and training, child care, transportation, and other support services to low income working families and families receiving public assistance. Day Care services assist families who are either working and/or are attending school and whose children have day care needs. Day care services are provided to families who are receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and are working towards self-sufficiency. Cumulative Number of Individuals Enrolled in VIEW (as of June '99) 1000 - 300 - 200 - 100 - 0 Locality Percent of Individuals S till Em ployed after 3 and 5 Months (as of June '99) 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% O~ B3 Months Employment Locality B5 Months E mplo gment Average Monthly Earnings for VIEW Participants (aa of June '99) $1,000 $900 $800 $700 $600 $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 S- Locality $6.60 $6.40 $6.20 $6.00 $5.80 $5.60 $5.40 Average Hourly Wage for VIEW Participants (As an Aggregate of Full/Part Time Wages) Albemarle County produced 17% of the cumulative number of individuals enrolled in the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare throughout our Economic Development District (EDD 8). As evidenced in the graph Albemarle County is consistent with the average in Region EDD 8 for the percent of individuals still employed after the 3 and 5 month time periods. Albemarle ranks 2nd in EDD 8 for the average monthly earnings for aH VIEW participants in that region. That is an average of $57 more than the average monthly income of $817 received in EDD 8. In FY 1999, Albemarle County VIEW participants earned an average of $6.57 an hour which was an aggregate of full and part-time wages. Lo c a litv Annual Report FY 1999 Page 10 Family Support Program The Family Support Program is a collaborative venture between the Albemarle County Dept. of Social Services, the Albemarle County School Division and Community Agencies Supporting Early Intervention and. Pre-placement Prevention Services. The program was substantially expanded this year fi.om one Family Support Worker covering two County schools to ten social workers covering all fifteen County elementary schools. The expansion also adds a two-person administrative team and extends the Bright Stars Family Coordinators to full-time positions. The program is based on the premise that earlier and longer interventions are more effective with at-risk populations and that children whose parents actively participate in their education show the greatest progress. Comprehensive services and multiple avenues for delivery of services have larger effects. The goals of this program are to promote family stabilization and literacy, empower families to effectively and positively parent their children, promote positive relationships and effective interactions and to assist families in using private and public resources to address problems. The design of the program places social workers in all 15 elementary schools. A number of referrals come fi.om principals, guidance, counselors, teachers, social services, community agencies and families. Participation is voluntary. Some of the program activities include talking and meeting with the families regularly, attending school meetings with parents, consulting with community agencies, modeling and promoting positive social behaviors, developing neighborhood and community initiatives and being advocates for the children throughout the community. Between January and June 1999, Family Support Workers handled 231 referrals. 149 family cases were opened for services. Approximately 270 children fi.om these families received attention fi.om a Family Support Worker. Most of the referrals (69%) were made for limited social skills, followed by emotional/behavior problems (29%), abrupt behavior change (18%), parent/caretaker overwhelmed (17%) and poor school attendance/tardiness. The most frequently accessed services were counseling, social service programs, Child Abuse Prevention/Monticello Area Community Action Agency, Love, Inc., medical treatment, housing and parks and recreation. FAMILY SUPPORT 1999 $70 $60 $50 $40 $30 $20 $10 0,000.00 0,000.00 0,000.00 0,000.00 0,000.00 0,000.00 0,000.00 $- FY 1999 DPROJECTED EXPEND ITURES 1ACTUAL EXPEND ITURES DPROJECTED REVENUE D ACTUAL REVENUE Annual Report FY 1999 Page 11 Food Stamps Program Food Stamps - This program provides coupons to income-eligible persons for the purchase of vital foodstuffs. Food Stamp Cases Under Care '98-99 850 8OO Food Stamp Applications 1998-99 200 180 160 120 80 6O "-'-Applications Received ~Applications Denied Cases Added ~Cases Closed/Transferred Food Stamp Cases Under Care remained constant hovering in the mid 700's case mark in FY 1999. As evidenced by the caseload indicators, application activity has remained relatively constant with only occasional fluctuation. Applications received reached a top figure of 127 throughout FY 1999. lo0 Cases Pending End of Month ~ 60 4o Month The average number of Cases Pending the End of the Month was 58 for FY 1999. These cases were not closed out by month end due to issues such as incomplete data, paperwork not received, and client issues. Average Food Stamp Caseload Since FY 1996 600- 1000- 900- 800- 700- 500- 400- 300- 200- I00- 0 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 Fiscal Year Statistics show that the Food Stamp Caseload has been declining since FY 1996. There has been a 20% decrease in caseloads to present; Annual Report FY 1999 Page 12 Foster Care Program Foster Care and Adoption - Services provided on behalf of children in the custody of the Department and assistance for families who adopt children. 150 100 so 0 ~ 80 60 ~ 40 ~ 20 Foster Care Caseload Trend Over Eleven Years Fiscal Year New Foster Care Cases 68~ m 53 4 8 3 8 m 28 _ - 19 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Fiscal Year Foster Care Caseloads have increased from an average of 32 per year in FY 1988 to 130 per year in FY 1999 equating to a growth of 75% over an eleven-year period. New Foster Care Cases have increased by 74% since FY 1992. ~ 100 ~ 80 20 ~; 0, Specialized and Residential Care Cases Over the Last 12 Months l~nth NewCases Requiring Specialized Placement 80 60- 40- 20' F1New FC Cases ~Req. Spec. Hacemeat The Specialized and Residential Care cases for FY 1999 had an increase of 16%. The percent of new foster care cases requiring Specialized Placement increased by 40%. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 13 General Relief Program e~'~eneral Relief- This program provides temporary maintenance payments for disabled persons, as well as payments for care of children not living with blood relatives. It also provides burial assistance for those who have no family and no means to pay burial expenses. 5O General Relief Cases Under Care ~ 30 ~ 2o Month General Relief Cases Under Care rose slightly. There was an increase of 5% in FY 1999. These cases include Maintenance Unemployables, Interim Assistance, Unattached Children, and an occasional Burial. General Relief Case Activity 1998-99 14 Monfll ~Applications Denied Cases Added · The number of General Relief Applications Received fluctuated from month to month between a high of 13 and a low of 6. The average number of Cases Added per month in FY 1999 was 5. Cases Closed/Transferred dropped from 8 to 3 in FY 1999. 8 GR Cases Pending Over 45 Days ~6 Month General Relief Cases Pending Over 45 Days decreased by 29%. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 14 Medicaid Program Medicaid - Determination of eligibility for Federal medical assistance. 3000 2900 2800 2700 2600 2500 2400 2300 ~ Medicaid Cases Under Care FY 1999 Month Medicaid Case Activity 1998-99 180 160 140 120 100 ~ 60 4O 2O Month ~Applications Received ~S~Applications Denied ~.~ Cases Added '~s~Cases Closed/Transferred There was an increase of 366 Medicaid Cases Under Care in FY 1999. As indicated by the Medicaid Application activity, fluctuations occurred throughout FY 1999 producing an eventual decrease in the applications trend. Average Medicaid Caseload Since FY 1996 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 FY There has been a steady gradual increase in the Medicaid Caseload from FY 1996 to FY 1999 of 22%. 150 Cases Pending over 45 Days ~ ~ 100 ~ ~ 50 Mon~ The County has maintained an excellent level of customer service as evidenced by a dramatic decrease in the Cases Pending over 45 Days by 60%. Annual Report FY 1999 Page 15 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program ,~,. TANF - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - Provides temporary financial assistance to income-eligible families. 300 250 200 150 100 TANF Cases Under Care FY 1999 50 Month Statistics show that TANF Cases Under Care produced a 5% increase in the caseload activity from the beginning of FY 1999 to the end. TANF Cases Pending End of Month ~ 40 ~ 30~ 20 10 Month Cases Pending End of Month produced a dramatic decrease from 28 in the beginning of FY 1999 to that of 1 at the end. TANF Cases Under Care Since 1995 300 ~ 250 200 150 ~llll~lllll~llll~~ 100~ Month As a result of the implementation of Welfare Reform in the County, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Cases Under Care has declined by 22% since FY 1995. 60 TANF Application Trends 1998-99 Month ~Applications Received Cases Added ~'~Cases Closed/Transferred TANF Application indicators for FY 1999 show a very pronounced fluctuation in case activity. There was a slight increase of 6% in Applications Received as well as a 17% increase in Cases Added. Albemarle Annual Re of Social Services Supervisors Service Mission The mission of Albemarle Social Services is to provide services that promote responsibility, individual worth, family integrity, and commitment to community. In Albemarle County, social services are provided via five broad program areas. They are: Benefit Programs - provide medical, financial and food stamp assistance to the citizens of Albemarle, paid from Federal, State, and local funds. - Food Stamps - This program provides coupons to income-eligible persons for the purchase of vital foodstuffs. - General Relief- This program provides temporary maintenance payments for disabled persons, as well as payments for care of children not living with blood relatives. It also provides burial assistance for those who have no family and no means to pay burial expenses. - Auxiliary Grants: Aged and Disabled - These programs provide payments to Homes for Adults on behalf of income eligible clients to pay for shelter, food and some personal care. - TANF - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - Provides temporary financial assistance to income-eligible families. - State/Local Hospitalization - This program uses local funds to match State funds to reimburse hospitals for care given to indigent residents. - Refugee Resettlement - Provides temporary f'mancial assistance to refugees. - Energy Assistance, Provides assistance to low-income households for wood, coal, gas, oil, or electricity, and is administered by Social Services from October through February. - Medicaid - Determination of eligibility for Federal medical assistance. 2o Service Programs provide the following services directly, or via purchase of service: Adult Prevention and Support, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoption, Home Based Companion Services, Family Prevention and Support Services, Transportation, the Emergency Utility Program, and Foster Family/Provider Recruitment and Training. - Adult Protective Services - The investigation of complaints and the provision of services for adults who are abused, neglected, or exploited. - Adult Services - Program enabling an adult to remain in the least restrictive setting and to function independently. - Child Protective Services - Program investigating complaints and providing services both to children who are abused or neglected, and to their families. This program also performs court-ordered custody investigations. - Foster Care and Adoption - Services provided on behalf of children in the custody of the Department and assistance for families who adopt children. Prevention and Support Services - Services designed to prevent family break-up and violence by strengthening family functioning. - Intake Services - Screening families in need of emergency services and the provision of information administered through a contract with the Monticello Area Community Action at the Community Assessment Program. - Tri-Area Foster Families - (TAFF) - This program provides for the recruitment and training of foster parents. It includes an Independent Living Program for older foster care children whose goal it is to live independently from a family. TAFF is provided through a contract between Charlottesville Department of Social Services, Greene County Department of Social Services, and Albemarle Department of Social Services. e 4. Pro~ram Areas Continued Employment and Day Care Services - provide employment, education and training, child care, transportation, and other support services to low income working families and families receiving public assistance. Day Care services assist families who are either working and/or are attending school and whose children have day care needs, as well as provide services to families who are receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and are working towards self-sufficiency. Bright Stars Program - The purpose of the program is to reduce disparities among young children upon formal school entry and to reduce or eliminate those risk factors that lead to early academic failure. The program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Social services, County schools, and community agencies to provide supportive services to at-risk four year-old children. Currently, there are Bright Stars programs in five of the County's fifteen elementary schools: Stone Robinson, Agnor- Hurt, Greer, Cale and Scottsville. Family Support Program - The Family Support Program is a collaborative venture among the Albemarle County Department of Social Services, the Albemarle County School Division and Community Agencies Supporting Early Intervention and Prevention Services. The program was substantially expanded in 1999, from one Family Support Worker covering two County Schools to ten Social Workers covering all fifteen County elementary schools. The program expansion adds two administrative team members and extends the Bright Stars Family Coordinators to full-time positions. The program is based on the premise that earlier and longer interventions are more effective with at-risk populations and that children whose parents actively participate in their education show the greatest progress. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 2 Department Hi~hfiehts and Accomplishments Establishment of Charlottesville Works, a collaborative program with Charlottesville Department of Social Services and Piedmont Valley Community College (PVCC) to work intensively with job retention and job skills for the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (viEW)/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) clients. This Teamworks program also worked with area small employers to assist with their low skilled, at risk employees to keep them them on the job. The agency implemented a new software system called HARMONY to provide a better tracking agent and projection tool for Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) children and expenditures. We completed the second year of the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) program which produced four participants who met the 24 months of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility. All four were employed when their TANF assistance ended. Final audits were completed for the Family Support Program and the process to be used to capture federal funds to pay for the program is in place. Due to this agency's status as a pilot program for the state, complete audits of case and financial records in an intensive manner are conducted in order to help make the program work statewide. Albemarle Department of Social Services continues to work with others in the community to develop a Family Drug Court to offer intensive drug screening, intensive case management and treatment services to families who abuse and neglect their children and where substance abuse is a factor in their lives. Worked with the Teen Health Center and the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic to develop and implement new and strengthen existing strategies for engaging pregnant women in the Medicaid application process. Also expanded the area of coverage to include H1V and cancer clinics. Worked to support and assist community outreach efforts in the Virginia Children's Medical Insurance Plan, by attending meetings, and providing technical program support. Established in-house procedures to support the outreach efforts of United Way, and assigned agency Children's Medical Security Insurance Plan (CMSIP) outreach coordination responsibility to the Screener Coordinator. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 4 Adult and Child Abuse / Neglect Program  A d,It Protective Services - The investigation of complaints and the provision of services for adults who are abused, neglected, or exploited. Adult Services - Program enabling an adult to remain in the least restrictive setting and to function independently. Child Protective Services - Program investigating complaints and providing services both to children who are abused or neglected, and to their families. This program also performs court-ordered custody investigations. Total Referrals Received for Albemarle - Northern Region 0 147 [] Screened Out [l~:c~ptt~ [] No 8ele~on In Albemarle County a total of 437 Referrals were received of which 66.36% were Accepted. In FY 2000, out of the total number of Referrals Received 33.64% were Screened Out. Findings With Supervisory Approval { ~.oo%~j I Jl Founded In comparison with average Regional totals and State totals, Albemarle County ranked higher in Findings With Supervisory Approval in the Founded Level 1, Founded Level 2, Founded Level 3, and Total Founded categories for FY 2000. In FY 2000, of the number of Findings With Supervisory Approval, 56% were Founded Level 1 cases, 22% were Founded Level 2 cases, and 22% were Founded Level 3 cases. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 5 Adult and Child Abuse / Neglect Program As noted in the chart, data provided at the Regional and Statewide level proves that the average percentages are significantly below those of Albemarle County for FY 2000. It is also important to note that the Total Findings percentages include the Founded Level 1, Founded Level 2, and Founded Level 3 findings. Albemarle County Findings With SupervisoryAppmval 17 3 0 110 [] rvRS · Unfounded [] Appealed rn Other · FL:~ling In FY 2000, out of the number of Finding With Supervisory Approvals, 77% were Multiple Response System (MRS) related, 9% were Unfounded, 12% were Other, and only 2% were left in Pending stares. In FY 2000, out a of a total number of 290 Findings, 52% had Supervisory Approval and 48% were Without Supervisory Approval In comparison with Regional and Statewide statistics, Albemarle County is considerably higher in both the Findings With Supervisory Approval and Findings Without Supervisory Approval for FY 2000. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 6 Auxiliary Grants Program Auxiliary Grants: Aged and Disabled - These programs provide payments to Homes for Adults on behalf of income eligible clients to pay for shelter, food and some personal care. Auxiliary Grant Caseload (FY 99/00) ~ 35 g 30 ~ 10 r~ 0 Month I~ Disabled 1Aged FY 2000 brought about a slight increase in the AG Caseload for the Disabled of 5%. The Aged Caseload produced a downward shift of 7%. Auxiliary Grant Dished ~ica~on Trend 25 FY20O0 0.5 0 The case activity for the Disabled Application Trend fluctuated extensively for FY 2000. As indicated by the graph to the left the peak months for caseload activity was the winter months. Auxiliary Grant Aged Application Trend FY 2000 6 5 ~2 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Fd3 Mar Apr May Jun '="==='Applic~ions Denied Cases Pending over 45 Days '='~'Cases Added There was significant oscillation in the Aged Application activity for FY 2000. Applications Received topped out at a case high of 5, while Cases Added produced a high of 4 for the fiscal year. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 7 Bright Stars Program The school year started with fully staffed classrooms We became a part of WVPT Public Television's at four sites. Enrollment was close to the program maximum of 64 children and recruitment efforts continued to fill the few openings that remained. Three out of four classroom teachers and four out of four teacher aides returned to the Bright Stars classroom, leaving Greer as the only school to bring in a new person. All four Family Coordinators returned. The budget for the year was up, mostly due to increases in salaries and benefits for staff and for new furniture and fixtures at the Cale site, which was relocated from the school building to a trailer behind the school. The state continued to award a $120,017.00 grant but the County increased their support by providing funding of $223,460.00. Martha Jefferson Hospital continued to support the delivery of dental screenings with a grant of $5,000.00. The Kindergarten Transition Studies provided stipends for Family Coordinators. The Advisory Board, made up of many community partners, helped guide the program and committed in-kind resources of more than $50,000.00. We added the University of Virginia School of Nursing to our number of community parmers. Undergraduate nursing students provided assessments and health education to two of the Bright Stars Programs. Four Bright Stars Family Coordinators and one Teacher attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference in New Orleans, La. in November. Other trainings and workshops attended by the staff focused on phonological awareness, the promotion of family literacy and understanding the effects of poverty on children and families. Bright Stars worked closely with the School Division and Social Services to provide support and incentive for families to grow more stable and cognizant of the need for strong parent involvement in their children's education. The Family Coordinators wrote a Parent Handbook with input from the teachers and building administrators and members of the Advisory Board. This Handbook will be available to all new Bright Stars participants in the coming years. Bright Stars children continued to participate in "Ready to Read" which matches each Bright Star with a reading buddy in the second or third grade. outreach program for at-risk children called, "Ready to Learn." Both of these programs enable the children to receive free books during the year that they can take home to become part of their home library. In addition, WVPT provides program guides for public television viewing and a monthly newsletter from Mister Rogers. In the spring, Bright Stars attended Albemarle County Day and rode in the Dogwood Parade. Field trips were scheduled throughout the year to introduce the children to the community outside of their family, school and neighborhood. Efforts were undertaken to more formally assess and evaluate progress that children made in the program. The Child Observation Record, the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening and the Quantitative Reading Inventory were identified as measures to assess growth and progress during and al[er the Bright Stars year. Presentations were made to the School Board and the Board of Supervisors about Bright Stars. The School Board formally requested that they be informed about the Bright Stars Program through the Thursday Letters. During 1999-2000, we were made aware of additional available funding through the Virginia Preschool Initiative. The Advisory Board developed plans to expand to a 5* site in the southern part of the County. Working closely with the School Division, Scottsville was selected as the new site and a large trailer with a restroom was ordered and paid for with can'y-over funds from previous budget years and the appropriation of additional funds by the School Board. This site will enroll up to 16 children from the Scottsville and Red Hill Districts. 1999-2000 was a year of significant activity and achievement for all aspects of the Bright Stars Program. The Advisory Board presided over on- going and new initiatives that fulfilled the Mission of the program: to increase the opportunities to learn for our children and their families by promoting family involvement and addressing risk factors that affect school performance. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 8 Bright Stars Program - Continued BRIGHT STARS $360,000.00 $35O,OOO.OO $340,000.00 $33O,OOO.O0 $320,000.00 $310,000.00 $300,000.00 $290,000.00 $280,000.00 98~99 99~00 FY FY mEXP BUDGET $306,474.00 $350,917.00 1 EXPENDITURE $306,475.00 $317,799.61 [] REV BUDGET $306,475.00 $350,917.00 [] REVENUE $317,372.43 $349,750.00 [~IEXP BUDGET ~EXPENDITURE •REVBUDGET []REVENUE Annual Report FY 2000 Page 9 Budget and Finance FY 1999-2000 Local Dollar Progress $1,200,000 $1,000,000 $800,000 $6oo,ooo $4oo,ooo $~oo,ooo Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Month Feb Mar Apr May Due to some vacancies in salary expenditures and some extenuating circumstances, the agency did not spend its targeted amount each month for the FY 2000. Albemarle County Cost Center Breakdown 11% 4% 0% '~/~ ~V. RA. Managerrent IIV. RA. Benefit ~ogran~ E]V.RA. Seatice Rx)grarm 53011 53012 53013 E]V. RA. Bql~oyn-ent Services IIV. RA. Ma:licaid- LMA EiV. RA. Bqergy Assistance 53014 53015 53016 According to the chart, V.P.A. Service Programs Cost Center comprised 60% the entire county budget in FY 2000. 270/, ~MPA Mmaga'na't I~P^ Benefit ~ ~MPA Servi~ Pro~ ~1 ~2 ~3 DVPA ~olrrent~lMPA~-~A BMPAEnegy~ ~4 ~5 ~6 As evidenced it the chart to the left, the Service Programs and the Benefit Programs total 65% of total salary budget. It is also important to note that Energy Assistance only contributes in part-time wages. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 10 Employment Services Program Employment and Day Care Services - provide employment, education and training, childcare, transportation, and other support services to low income working families and families receiving public assistance. Day Care services assist families who are either working and/or are attending school and whose children have day care needs. Day care services are provided to families who are receiving TANF and are working towards self-sufficiency. Cumulative Number of Individuals Enrolled in VIEW (as of June '00) Locality 18% of the Cumulative Number of Individuals Enrolled in the VIEW Program in the Economic Development District 8 (EDD 8) for FY 2000 was from Albemarle County. That is an increase of 1% from FY 1999. Percent of Individuals Still Em ployed after 3 and 5 Months (as of June '00) 40% · 30%- : 20% - 0% ,, ):~"" ? , Locality Months Employment Albemarle continues its pursuit of excellence by remaining just under the average median in Percent of Individuals StiH Employed after 3 and 5 Months. Average Monthly Earnings for VIEW Participants (as of June '00) $894 $800 ":~'":'~:'¢~ ' ; $720 $700 $680 Locality Just as in FY 1999, Albemarle County again ranks 2ua in EDD 8 for the average monthly earnings for VIEW participants in FY 2000. The average earnings dropped by $10 for the county in FY 2000. Average Hourly Wage for VIEW Participants (As an Aggregate of Full/Part Time Wages) $6.60 $6.40. $6.20- $6.00- $5.80- $5.60- $5.4C Albemarle again ranks 1st in FY 2000 in the Average Hourly Wage for VIEW Participants. The average hourly wage increased from $6.57 in FY 1999 to $6.59 in FY 2000. Locality Annual Report FY 2000 Page 11 Family Support Program The Family Support Program made some minor Family Support Workers addressed profession adjustments as it began the new school year in August 1999. We reassigned some workers to create more balanced caseloads. One worker implemented a middle school pilot program to follow 5th graders fi.om Stony Point Elementary School to Sutherland and Burley Middle Schools. The program strengthened its relationship with school staff by inviting elementary principals to a meeting to discuss the role of the Family Support Worker, the strengths and weaknesses of the program so far and the goals and objectives that the schools had for the program. Workers became more visible in the school buildings and attended committee meetings and child study meetings on a regular basis. We strengthened relationships with the Social Services staff at the County Office Building by actively participating in meetings, volunteering to help out on projects or filling in as needed. A protocol between the Child Protective Services Unit and Family Support helped in the process of transitioning cases when they moved fi.om one service to another. development by seeking training in family systems, childhood development, behavior management, ethical practices and understanding poverty. Several staff became trained in the Motheread-Fatheread progran~ More families and children were served in 1999-2000. In all, 189 families with 427 children ages 0-18 received services. Children in grades K-5 benefited primarily. More of the referrals were made because of a parent-caretaker feeling overwhelmed. Community partners helped us identify more than 1.7 million local and state dollars that were being expended on Albemarle County youth for early intervention and prevention activities/services. These dollars made it possible for the Albemarle County Department of Social Services to draw down about $800,000 Federal dollars to reinvest in human services programs for the County. All the partners, Children, Youth and Family Services, the Thomas Jefferson Health Department, Monticello Area Community Action Agency, the Juvenile Court Assessment Center and the Commission on Children and Families received funds to support their programs and benefit families and children. FAMILY SUPPORT 2000 $800,000.00 $6O0,000.00 $40O,0O0.00 $200,000.00 $- FY 2000 ~PROJECTED EXPENDITURES 1ACTUAL EXPENDITURES r'IPROJECTED REVENUE r']ACTUAL REVENUE Annual Report FY 2000 Page 12 Food Stamps Program Food Stamps - This program provides coupons to income-eligible persons for the purchase of vital food_stuffs. 800 Food Stamp Cases Under Care '99-00 700 600 soo 400 300 2O0 lO0 0 Month Food Stare p Application Trend 1999-00 160 140 120 lO0 ~ 60 40 20 ~ ~ M on th ~Applications Received Cases Added ~"m~Cases Closed/Transferred Average Food Stamp Caseload Since FY 1996 1000 6oo o 95/96 96/97 97/98 766 98/99 99/00 Fiscal Year Cases Under Care produced a downward decline towards the middle of the fiscal year and the steadied out to produce an overall decrease of 5% for FY 2000. FY 2000 produced a steady trend in Food Stamp Application activity. There was a downward shift in Cases Added by 15%. The end of FY 2000 also produced a 3% decrease in Applications Received. The Average Food Stamp Caseload has steadily decreased by 32% since FY 1996. 80 70 60 ~ 40 ~ ao 20 10 0 ~ Cases Pending End of Month Month Cases Pending End of Month decreased by 68% in FY 2000. Annual Report FY 2000 Page 13 Foster Care Program Foster Care and Adoption - Services provided on behalf of children in the custody of the Department and assistance for families who adopt children. 160 140 120 80 6o 4O 2o 0 Foster Care Caseload Trend Over Twelve Years Fiscal Year The Foster Care Caseload Trend continues its steady ascent by increasing from 32 in FY 1988 to that of 136 in FY 2000, which equates to a 76% growth. New Foster Care Cases 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 I0 0 Fiscal Year New Foster Care Cases have increased by 70% from FY 1992 to FY 2000. 75 ~ 70 '~ 65 60 Specialized and Residential Care Cases Over the Last 12 Months Month The Specialized and Residential Care cases for FY 2000 remained constant with only a slight decrease of 6%. New Cases Requiring Specialized Placemem 40 20 0 Fiscal Year r~NewFC C~es 1Req. Spec. Placement After reaching a record high in FY '97, New Cases Requiring Specialized Placement has began to steadily decrease from 39 in FY '97 to 25 in FY '00. Annual Repo~ FY 2000 ['age 14 General Relief Program ~eneral Relief- This program provides temporary maintenance payments for disabled persons, as well as payments for care of children not living with blood relatives. It also provides burial assistance for those who have no family and no means to pay burial expenses. 6O General Relief Cases Under Care 50 --~ g 40 ~ ~ 30 ~ 20 10 Month General Relief Cases Under Care increased by 27% in FY 2000. These cases include Maintenance Unemployables, Interim Assistance, Unattached Children, and an occasional Burial. General Relief Caseload 1999-00 2O ~ lO S Month ~Applications Received ~ Applications Denied Cases Added ~ Cases Closed/Transferred The General Relief Caseload fluctuated enormously for FY 2000. There was an increase in Applications Received by 19%. The Cases Added remained steady with a final count of 53. 10 8 ~6 g4 GR Cases Pending Over 45 Days There was a dramatic decrease in General Relief Cases Pending Over 45 Days from 7 at the beginning of FY '00 to that of 0 at the end. Medicaid Program Ann ual Report FY 2000 Page 15 Medicaid -Determination of eligibility for Federal medical assistance. Medicaid Cases Under Care FY 2000 3500 3400 3300 3200 3100 3000 2900 2800 2700 ........ Month Medicaid Application Trends 1999-00 200 Month ~'~Alyplications Received Cases Added '""='Cases Closed/Transferred Average Medicaid Caseload Since FY 1996 2 0 0 0 1500 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 160 Cases Pending over 45 Days 14o 120 lOO 8O 40 20 Month Cases Under Care increased by 14% in FY 2000. Application trends indicate an increase in Cases Added of 54%. There was an upsurge in Applications Denied of 39%. There has been a steady gradual increase in the Medicaid Caseload from FY 1996 to FY 2000 of 33%. Cases Pending over 45 Days witnessed an upward fluctuation and then leveled out to a 42% decline. m Annual Report FY 2000 Page 16 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program TANF - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - Provides temporary financial assistance to income-eligible families. 300 TANF Cases Under Care FY 2000 250 200 150 100 5O Month TANF Cases UnderCare Since1995 350 ~/]~._ 300 ~~a 250 ~~~j~~ ~ ~ 200 T~~~~~~ 150 Month 5O TANF Application Trends 1999-00 45 ~ 2o 10 0 , Month 'mmmApplications Denied Cases Added '""==Cases Closed/Transferred TANF Cases Pending End of Month 5o 45 ~ 3o ~ 2o ~o Month Over the course of the fiscal years, the number of cases under care has declined by 36% since the implementation of Welfare Reform in the County. FY 2000 brought about a decline in the TANF Cases Under Care of 19%. TANF Application Trends denotes that Applications Received have decreased by 21%. Cases Added shows a decrease of 59%. TANF Cases Pending End of Month decreased by 61% in FY 2000.