HUMAN SERVICES IN A TIME OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

1

• HUMAN SERVICES IN A TIME OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

A California State Association of Counties and
County Welfare Directors Association of
California Report
2
Overview of Presentation

• Human Services programs play a role in
  stimulating the economy
• Economy is driving demand
• Human Services funding deficit
• Impact of funding deficit and higher demand on
  services
• Ideas for county action

3
Human Services programs play a role in
stimulating the economy

• Programs largely funded with state/federal
  dollars, while benefits are spent locally
• Spending from programs generates additional
  economic activity locally
• On average, every 1 spent in human services
  programs generates 1.32 in economic activity,
  i.e. groceries and rent

4
Economic Value Food Stamps March 2009

• Benefits Local Economic
• Distributed Activity Generated
• 27.1 Million 35.7 Million
• Examples
• WINCO Victorville 659,435
• WINCO Fontana 577,977
• Food 4 Less Redlands 213,155
• Superior Market Ontario 370,490
• Stater Bros. San Bernardino
  366,274

5
Economy is Driving Demand Unemployment
6
Economy is Driving Demand Case Activity
7
Economy is Driving Demand Changing Applicant Mix

• Two-parent family caseload increased by 67.5
• Non-Assistance Food Stamps caseload increased by
  50.3
• County residents receiving public assistance
  increased from 1 in every 5 residents to 1 in
  every 4 residents
• Recession has forced many working families to
  apply for government help who have never done so
  before

8
Human Services Funding Deficit
9
Human Services Funding Deficit

• Counties legislatively mandated to administer
  human services programs
• Funding for mandated state and federal programs
  is frozen at 2001 cost levels
• Annual funding deficit in San Bernardino County
  is 47.3 million and 1 billion statewide

10
Impact of Funding Deficit and Higher Demand on
Services

• Budgeted staffing was reduced 25, eliminated
  1,329 positions
• Reduction in training, travel, supplies for staff
• Multiple offices consolidated in San Bernardino
  in FY 08/09, additional offices will be
  consolidated in Victorville and Fontana in FY
  09/10
• Staff are carrying higher caseloads
• Delay in getting benefits to eligible families

11
Ideas for County Action

• Support changes at the state and federal level to
  fund mandates at appropriate levels or give
  counties relief from mandates
• Share the report by the California State
  Association of Counties and the County Welfare
  Directors Association of California