FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 11, 2019
Time Requested: 02:55 PM
Agency: Health and Human Resources, WV Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1082 Introduced HB2328
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:





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 $30,394,523.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2019
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2020
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 30,394,523 30,394,523
Personal Services 0 30,394,523 30,394,523
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 above estimates are calculated by applying one social worker per each elementary, middle school, junior high school and high school (667) as required by the bill. The number of schools was obtained from the State Board of Education 2018-19 school year. The estimated costs will be $30,394,523. This amount was determined by taking number of social workers needed (667) times the average filled social service worker III salary (33,755) + fringes ($11,814).



Memorandum


The bill specifically says from "established staff", but the requirements of the bill can not be satisfied with existing 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 workers' current civil service job description and titles, which are outlined to carry out the tasks and duties according to DHHR policies, 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 are the duties 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: Bill.J.Crouch@wv.gov