FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 10, 2020
Time Requested: 03:46 PM
Agency: Health and Human Resources, WV Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1124 Introduced SB68
CBD Subject: Human Services


FUND(S):

0403 Div of Human Services General Administrative Fund/8722 Cons Federal Div Human Services Gen Admn Fund/8757 Federal Block Grant Social Services Fund/8816 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund Federal

Legislation creates:

Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to have social workers identified for each elementary, middle school, junior high school and high school in the state who are to be available to teachers, principals, and other school staff upon request, to help improve or maintain school attendance and performance and to improve the health and well-being of students at home. Limitations on services are set forth. The Department estimates fiscal impact relating to this bill to be $31,617,596 (approximately $22,132,317 state/$9,485,279 federal; based on current time study allocations).



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2020
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2021
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 31,617,596 31,617,596
Personal Services 0 31,617,596 31,617,596
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


The department assumed one social service worker per each elementary, middle school and junior high school and high school (643) as required by the bill. The school number came from the State Board of Education 2019-20 school year. The estimated costs for the first year and subsequent years will be $31,617,596. This amount was determined by taking number of social workers needed (643) times the average filled position social service worker III salary (36,424) + fringes ($12,748).



Memorandum


The bill requires one social worker per school. Current National Association of Social Workers (NASW) standards for school social work practice specifies a ratio of one school social worker to each school building serving up to 250 general education students, or a ratio of 1:250 students. When a school social worker is providing services to students with intensive needs, the NASW suggests a lower ratio (such as 1:50). Using this standard, the total number of workers increases to 1,744; which would increase the cost ($85,755,968). The bill specifically says from "established staff", but the requirements of the bill can not be satisfied with existing staff. Additional recruiting and processing may be required to provide sufficient staff. The bill states that a social worker will be assigned to each school but does not indicate whether that must be a full time position or whether a specific worker can be assigned to multiple schools. The cost estimate reflects a position at each school, and therefore it does not include mileage costs for a social worker to travel back and forth between schools. If this is deemed a full time position, the bill does not address the responsibilities of the workers when school is out or reconcile the differences in attendance and contractual days between DHHR employees and Educational System employees. The bill is not clear how this code would impact the social service workers' current civil service job description and titles, which are outlined to carry out the tasks and duties according to DHHR policies, and which were developed to outline our statutory responsibilities. These duties are under the Cabinet Secretary for DHHR, not the superintendent of the local county Boards of Education, as outlined in the bill. The Bureau for Public Health's Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCH) Program is mandated under WV Code, Chapter 49, Article 2, Part V. This proposed legislation adds a new Article to Chapter 49 but would not require CSHCN social workers to provide any additional services beyond those already provided to CSHCN clients. CSHCN has 12 licensed social workers that currently provide care coordination for children eligible under the CSHCN Program. One of the functions of a CSHCN social worker is to serve as a liaison between a child's medical home team and said child's associated community based supports, including the child's school, as necessary. In addition to this staffing, there would be a need for additional supervision and statewide program development to assure quality and consistency across the program. Additional training will be needed.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Bill J. Crouch
    Email Address: dhhrbudgetoffice@wv.gov