FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 26, 2026
Time Requested: 10:21 AM |
| Agency: |
Human Services, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 4148 |
Comm. Sub. |
SB937 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Human Services |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
0489 - BSS Foster Care; 8722 - Cons Federal Funds Div Human Services Gen Admin Fd
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund Federal
Legislation creates:
Creates New Expense
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to establish a community based Child Welfare System pilot program.
The Department anticipates a fiscal impact of $12,592,500 ($5,109,737 Fed/$7,482,763 State) for the two pilot counties should this legislation pass. The expansion of the program and contract state-wide under (c)(3) will significantly increase the costs of implementation.
Please note that the federal/state split could vary based on Federal agency approval of the contract allocation methodology.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
12,592,500 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
12,592,500 |
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):
Cost Assumptions:
Assuming that the Department's Bureau for Social Services will issue the procurements for lead agencies using existing staff, there is not additional cost anticipated for this function.
Assuming that the Department's Bureau for Social Services will create the implementation plan using existing staff, there is not additional cost anticipated for this function.
Costs of the case rate payment model in 2028: 230 children*$150 *365 = $12,592,500 ($5,109,737 Fed/$7,482,763 State).
Assumes lead agencies has current in custody (169) and non-custody (61) children in pilot counties on their rolls at any time and receive an average daily rate of approximately $150.
The $150 was developed based on Texas’ daily case rates (https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Texas_Child_Centered_Care/rates.asp) for basic foster family home support ($36.39 retained by agency) and assuming all children in WV have one current add-in under Texas’ model ($109.92 mental and behavioral health support services rate used as proxy). The two combined are $146.31, but rounded up to $150 to allow for some limited cost inflation from now until model implementation.
Costs of risk-based contracting: $0
Depending on how a risk corridor is structured, the agency may retain all costs or all savings associated with costs relative to the case rate. Therefore, the Department assumes that there are costs or savings based on risk-based contracting.
Costs of evaluating and reporting: $0
The Department assumes that the evaluation and reporting required within 12 months of implementation will be completed using existing state staff.
Costs of proposing rules: $0
The Department assumes that BSS will promulgate rules using existing staff.
There may be savings from transferring services from existing state staff but the amount of those savings is unknown at this time.
These estimates are based on the initial roll-out of the pilot in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties. The expansion of the program and contract state-wide under (c)(3) will significantly increase the costs of implementation.
Memorandum
This cost does not include any socially necessary services (SNS) that would be put in place to work with children and families. A cost estimation cannot be given as services are dependent upon the needs of the children and families. However, the department paid out between $38,000,000 and $40,000,000 in SNS services statewide in 2025.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Alex J Mayer, Cabinet Secretary
Email Address: OSAfiscalnotes@wv.gov