County Social Services

                                                                   

Early years of financial assistance Prior to the 1930’s, public benefits

were all county general assistance –

o First federal aid included Aid to Families with children

Old Age Assistance (1935)

Commodities

First food stamp program ( 1939-1943)

Work programs – WPA, CCC

The state/federal county partnership begins Early programs funded by

federal/county dollars. Counties were eligible for federal loans (some of these loans fed cattle)

March 1935 – first state appropriated $’s for poor relief (sales tax)

Most programs were 90% federal and 10% state and county.

The impact

In the early 1930’s it was estimated that 250,000 of the 630,000 people were getting some type of assistance.

In Divide County, 70% of people received assistance.

Traill County was the last county to need federal assistance and had the lowest demand.

Funding

Federal Dollars State Dollars Private County Dollars

-Poor Relief levy, transferred to the Social Welfare Fund

-Emergency Poor levy transferred to the Social Welfare Fund

Appropriation of County Funds

The board of county commissioners of each county shall annually appropriate and make available to the human services fund an amount sufficient to pay the local expenses of administration and provision of the human services required by state law and by federal law or regulation as a condition for the receipt of federal financial participation in programs administered by county agencies under the provisions of this title.

County Social Service Boards Policy making Appointed by the board of county

commissioners. Consists of five, seven, or nine

members, of which one or more must be a member of the board of county commissioners. The board must include members of each sex. Board members shall serve a term of three years or until their successors have duly qualified.

Members of county social service board - Term of office - Oath -Compensation.

The members of the county social service board serve a term of three years.

Each member of the board qualifies by taking the oath provided for civil officers. The oath must be filed with the county auditor.

The appointing authority shall establish the rate of compensation for board members.

Duties of County Social Service Boards

The county social service board of each county in this state shall: 1. Supervise and direct all human service activities conducted by the county,

including county general assistance or other public assistance. 2. Supervise and administer, under the direction of the department of human

services, human services in the county which are financed in whole or in part with funds allocated or distributed by the department of human services.

3. Aid and assist in every reasonable way to efficiently coordinate and conduct human service activities within the county by private as well as public organizations.

4. Subject to Subsection 17 of Section 50-06-05.1, administer the food stamp program in the county under the direction and supervision of the Department of Human Services in conformity with the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended,

and enter into an agreement for administering the food stamp program with the department of human services.

Duties of County Social Service Boards

5. Subject to Subsection 19 of Section 50-06-05.1, administer the energy assistance program in the county under the direction and supervision of the Department of Human Services and to enter into an agreement for administering the energy assistance program with the Department of Human Services.

6. Charge and collect fees and expenses for services provided by its staff in accordance with policies and fee schedules adopted by the Department of Human Services.

7. Supervise and administer designated child welfare services under the direction and supervision of the Department of Human Services. Through established procedures the Department of Human Services may release the county social service board of this duty or the county social service board may request to be released from this duty by the Department of Human Services. If a county is released from the county’s duty to supervise and administer designated child welfare services under this subsection, the county retains its financial responsibility for providing those services unless otherwise negotiated and approved by the Department.

Economic Assistance CFS HCBS

SOCIAL SERVICES

Economic Assistance Programs Basic Care Child Care Assistance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP formerly called

Food Stamps) Foster Care Payments LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance) Medicaid

-ACA (Affordable Care Act) Traditional Medicaid or premium paid. -Non ACA Medicaid-Healthy Steps- Children Hospice-Estate Recovery-Aid to Blind

TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) General Assistance

County BurialsTransient Care

Information and Referral

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The SNAP Program was first introduced into the state in 1966. It was intended by Congress to increase the food

purchasing power of households with limited income andresources. Food Coupons were issued to eligible households

who exchanged them for food in retail grocery stores.

In the late 90’s, Food Coupons were dropped in favor of Electronic Benefits

There were 24,749 households on SNAP in North Dakota for January 2015 . Total Issuance for that month was $6,425,592.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance

Authorized by Section XXVI of Public Law 97-35, “Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981.” The purpose is to help eligible households to pay home energy costs. Benefits are not designed to pay the total household fuel costs.

This is a Federal Block Grant program where funds are distributed to states based on each state’s weather and low income population.

From October 1st of 2014 through January of 2015, North Dakota’s LIHEAP program expended $4, 347,209.82 on heating related costs for 10,588 households.

Medicaid or Medical Assistance

Authorized in 1965 during a Special Session of the North Dakota Legislature. The Program began in North Dakota in January of 1966. The purpose is to provide comprehensive and uniform medical services that will enable persons previously limited by their circumstances to receive needed medical care. Funding is shared by federal, state and county governments. Currently ND receives federal funding match of 50%. The state pays most of the local share.

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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Intended to move low income families from Public Assistance to Self-Sufficiency by providing cash assistance along with work readiness, training, and job placement services

In April of 1993, North Dakota peaked at 6,625 cases. For the month of January 2015, there were 1,226 families receiving benefits with an average payment per family of $246.08.

Children and Family Services Child Care Licensing Studies Child Protection Assessments Children’s Special Health Services Family Social Work/Case Management

CPS Case Management Children’s /TPR Case Management Foster Care Case Management Kinship Care Case Management

Foster Care Eligibility Foster Care Licensing Studies Information & Referral ICPC Studies and Reports Independent Living Services Subsidized Adoption Subsidized Guardianship Family Preservation Services

-Parent Aide -Prime time child care Respite Care -Safety/Permanency Funds

Child Protection

Purpose: To protect the health and welfare of children by encouraging

the reporting of children who are known to be or suspected of being abused or neglected.

Provide adequate services for the protection of abused and neglected children and to protect them from further harm.

Mandated Reporters:Professionals having knowledge of reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected, or has died as a result of abuse or neglect, must make a report of the circumstances. Examples of professionals required to report are any physician, school teacher, social worker, or law enforcement officials.

Child ProtectionWhat happens after a report is received by

CPS staff?When the county social service office receives a report of suspected child abuse or neglect the following occurs:

Analysis of the information in the report to determine what actions to take for an assessment.

Assessment of the concerns in the report to find the facts. Decision about whether services are required for the protection

and treatment of an abused or neglected child. Referral to juvenile court for review if services are determined to

be required. Provision of protective services to the family, such as parenting

education, counseling, supporting services, foster care, etc.

Child Protection Will law enforcement be involved?

Law enforcement and CPS often work together during the assessment of a CPS report. If the report of suspected child abuse or neglect alleges a violation of a criminal statute involving sexual or physical abuse, North Dakota law requires coordination between CPS and law enforcement. Law enforcement may also be involved when an assessment includes other types of alleged criminal violations such as domestic violence, prescription or illicit drug use or for the safety of the child protection worker.

In FY 2014 there were 12,390 child abuse and neglect reports filed in North Dakota.

Foster CareFoster care is a 24-hour out-of-home care for children whose parents are unable, neglect, or refuse to provide for their children’s needs. It includes food, clothing, shelter, security, safety, guidance and comfort. In nearly all cases, the child in care has been removed from home by a court order, with custody given to a public agency, such as the Division of Juvenile Services, County Social Services, or Tribal Social Services.

During FY 2014, there were 2,164 children in paid foster care placements, including family foster care, therapeutic foster care, or group foster care.

Home & Community Based Services (HCBS)

HCBS is a part of a continuum of care that provides a choice of services to help individuals to remain in their communities and to delay or prevent institutional care.

The present HCBS program began in 1983.

As of December 31,2014, there were 2,691 individuals utilizing HCBS services in North Dakota.

Home & Community Based Services for Elderly &

Disabled (HCBS) Adult Foster Care Licensing Studies Case Management – Determine eligibility for and provide or

arrange for provisions of: Personal Care Homemaker Chore Respite Non-medical transportation Adult Day Care Adult Foster Care Emergency Response Specialized Equipment Transitional Care

Information and Referral

Home And Community Based Services (County)Case Management Qualified Service Provider

Personal Care

- Homemaker Chore Respite Non-medical transportation

Merit System -receipt of Federal funds through the state for the administration of several public

assistance programs.Recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is done on the basis of ability, and it includes open consideration of qualified applicants. Equitable and adequate compensation is ensured. Employees must be trained to ensure quality performance. Employees are retained on the basis of performance. Fair treatment is accorded to all employees. Employees are protected from coercion and prohibited from using their official authority improperly.

Child Welfare Collaborations Sheriff’s Department

Assist with Child Protective Service Assessments When danger to Social Workers Category A case requires Law Enforcement

• Sexual Abuse Cases• Death of a Child• Severe Physical Abuse(Bone fracture, internal

injuries, stabbing, other major physical injury) If Law enforcement is requested, documentation

may be needed which could include Deputies taking photo’s of victims or home environments

Background checks of Subject of Report Transportation(ex-Unruly Foster Kids Referral to States Attorney & Juvenile Court

when warranted

Collaboration(Continued)

States Attorney-Child Protection matters where court intervention is needed-Foster Care Situations where court orders are needed.-Termination of Parental Rights-Consultation-Guardianship matters(Child Welfare & Adult matters)

Auditor (County Chief Financial Officer) Budgets and other Financial

Matters Disbursement of taxes collected Assists Soc. Serv. With Monthly

Payroll, Benefits Financial records needed for

monthly reconciling of Social Service Records

Payment of Bills

Treasurer’s Office

Receipt of Checks received by Social Services

RECAP