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Program Enhancements and Other Budget Adjustments
Department of Developmental Services
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is responsible under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act) for ensuring that more than 220,000 persons with developmental disabilities (consumers) receive the services and support they need to lead more independent and productive lives and to make choices and decisions about their lives.
The Governor's Budget includes $4.5 billion ($2.7 billion General Fund) for the DDS in 2008-09, a net increase of $53.3 million ($59.8 million General Fund) above the revised 2007-08 budget and $143 million ($81 million General Fund) above the Budget Act of 2007.
DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS
Developmental centers are licensed and certified 24-hour, direct-care facilities that provide services to consumers. In 2007-08, there is an increase of $34.5 million ($23.1 million General Fund, $11.4 million reimbursements) from the Budget Act of 2007 primarily due to adjustments for employee compensation and the current status of the closure of Agnews Developmental Center. The time required for acquisition and completion of housing has resulted in a more gradual transition into the community both for consumers and state employees who provide direct care services. Available savings in the regional centers' budget will be transferred to fund higher developmental center costs for the additional staffing to support the increase in the developmental center average population of 10 residents during the current year.
The Governor's Budget proposes $667.1 million ($354.8 million General Fund) and 6,520.1 positions, a net decrease of $87.6 million ($59.8 million General Fund) and 804 positions from the revised 2007-08 budget. The change primarily reflects the Agnews closure and a reduction in the developmental center population as consumers transition into the community, as well as reductions of $29.4 million ($22.1 million General Fund) to the developmental centers budget. These reductions include maintaining current capacity at Porterville Developmental Center's Secure Treatment Program, thereby generating savings by reducing staffing needs associated with the previously proposed expansions, and reducing operating expenses and equipment for all developmental centers. As a result of not fully staffing forensic beds at Porterville, it will take longer for consumers in county jails to enter the Secure Treatment Program. Reductions in operating expenses and equipment will require that preventative maintenance and non-critical purchases be deferred.
Agnews Developmental Center Closure
The Governor's Budget includes a decrease of $62.1 million ($38.7 million General Fund) due to the closure of Agnews effective June 30, 2008. This decrease includes the reduction of 819 positions at Agnews DC. The Governor's Budget includes an increase of $4.0 million ($192,000 General Fund, $3.8 million reimbursements) and 24 positions to provide medical, dental and other professional services through a Primary Care Clinic to individuals residing in the community and to facilitate smooth transition of consumers to community health care providers. The 24 positions are included as part of the 200 Agnews employees working in the community.
REGIONAL CENTERS
The 21 regional centers throughout California are nonprofit corporations contracted by DDS to purchase and coordinate services mandated under the Lanterman Act for persons with developmental disabilities. Services include assessment of needs, coordination of services, resource development, residential placement and monitoring, quality assurance and individual program planning assistance. In 2007-08, there is a net increase of $54.7 million (decrease of $2.3 million General Fund and an increase of $57.0 million reimbursements) from the Budget Act of 2007 for regional centers due primarily to an increase in the caseload, and the cost of services provided to consumers, especially older more medically fragile consumers and those with autism. These costs include a supplemental reimbursement to provide federal financial participation for day program and transportation services for consumers residing in intermediate care facilities. There is a projected increase of 2,425 consumers in the community caseload in 2007-08, from 219,230 to 221,655 consumers.
For 2008-09, the Governor's Budget proposes $3.8 billion ($2.3 billion General Fund) to support the regional centers, a net increase of $141.5 million ($119.8 million General Fund) from the revised 2007-08 budget. The change reflects increases in regional centers caseload. The regional center community population is projected to increase by 12,895 consumers, to 232,125 consumers in 2008-09, which includes an increase of 176 developmental center residents who will move into the community.
Increased Access to Mental Health Services
Consistent with the requirements of the Mental Health Services Act, the DDS proposes an expenditure of $1.1 million from the Mental Health Services Fund to increase access to mental health services for consumers who are dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and a mental illness. Through the identification of best practice models and training, DDS will improve clinical capacity and effectiveness of direct services to dually diagnosed consumers.
Continuation of Cost Containment Measures
The temporary cost containment measures already in effect, such as rate freezes on targeted program categories will continue in 2008-09. It is expected that these cost containment measures will reduce costs by approximately $348.3 million ($235.1 million General Fund).
Family Cost Participation Program (FCPP)
The FCPP will be expanded to assess a share of the cost of respite, day care, and camping services to parents of Early Start consumers. The Early Start Program provides early intervention services to infants and toddlers with a developmental disability. The share of cost scale will also be expanded so that families between 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and 500 percent of the FPL will pay 10 percent of the cost of these services and families at 2,000 percent of the FPL or above will pay 100 percent of the cost of these services. These changes will result in cost reductions of $0.8 million General Fund in 2008-09.
Negotiated Rate Freeze
Rates negotiated by regional centers for providers in 38 specified service codes have been frozen since 2003-04. The Governor's Budget proposes to freeze all other provider types where the regional center negotiates rates and to set parameters on the rates for new providers with whom the regional centers may negotiate. This proposal would not apply to providers whose rates are currently linked to those set by the Department of Health Care Services' Schedule of Maximum Allowance or to providers whose rates and services are primarily for the general public. This proposal will result in savings of $18.3 million ($14.2 million General Fund).
Supported Employment Program (SEP)
The SEP will be reduced by $9.5 million ($7.7 million General Fund). This will reduce the hourly rate for SEP job coaching services from $34.24 to $30.82. This reduction is not expected to reduce the number of consumers participating in the SEP.
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