AGENDA DATE: 8/3/2016
TITLE:
Title
Albemarle County Department of Social Services Request for New Positions
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Albemarle County Department of Social Services request for new positions using new funding appropriated by the General Assembly
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Kamptner, Letteri, Savides
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: The 2016 General Assembly appropriated additional administrative funding in the amount of $4.2 million to assist localities with Medicaid application and renewal processing due to the increase in the volume of applications for Medicaid resulting from open enrollment on the Federal exchange. Local departments are struggling to process new applications for Medicaid within the allowed timeframe while also completing the required annual reviews of existing Medicaid cases. In FY16, the statewide average for the number of overdue Medicaid applications was 10,819 applications each month, with an average of 6,927 applications remaining pending for more than 90 days. During the same time period, the statewide average for the number of overdue reviews was 29,270 cases each month, with an average of 15,839 cases each month being more than 90 days overdue. The General Assembly responded to the statewide concerns regarding the application and renewal processing for this vital benefit program by appropriating these new monies to help support the local departments. The total amount of State funding approved for localities for FY17 is $2,690,600. The remainder of the $4.2 million will be covered by federal resources and local resources. This funding has become a permanent part of all local Department of Social Services budgets going forward.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Ensure County government's ability to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities
DISCUSSION: Staff requests approval to recruit and hire two new positi...
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