Committee: Joint Appropriations Subcommittee #2
South Dakota Department of Human Services
Mr. John N. Jones, Secretary, Department of Human Services, presented the committee with the
Telecommunications Relay Services budget information ( Document #1).
Mr. Fred Romkema, South Dakota Association of Community Based Services (SDACBS),
presented the committee with background information on the SDACBS ( Document #2). He noted
the importance of decreasing the turnover rate of the Adjustment Training Center (ATC) care
providers and emphasized that salary increases will play a substantial role in decreasing turnover.
Mr. Romkema introduced Mr. Daryl Kilstrom, Executive Director, Mitchell ATC; Ms. Lori
Adam, Client, Mitchell ATC; Ms. Connie De Mcranntle, Parent; Ms. Janet DeSmet, Vocational
Training Instructor, Mitchell ATC; Ms. Amanda Chada, Vocational Training Instructor, Mitchell
ATC; Ms. Beth Conroy, Supervisor, Mitchell ATC.
Ms. DeMcranntle testified as to the type of care required by her daughter who is a resident at the
Mitchell ATC.
Ms. DeSmet testified as to her daily responsibilities and the type of care she provides for her patients. Representative Putnam inquired as to any specialized training she may have received. She has a high school degree and finds the ratio of seven clients to one direct care provider comfortable
most of the time. She said that turnover of staff can be stressful, but it is difficult to retain
employees in positions paying low wages. Representative Putnam asked if $1 or $2 more per hour
would make a difference. Ms. DeSmet believes that it would make a difference to other employees;
the starting wage for direct care providers at the Mitchell ATC is approximately $7.60/hr.
Ms. Chada testified as to her job responsibilities at the Mitchell ATC. She described her educational
background and several of the specific tasks she performs as a vocational training instructor. She
also described some of the vocational training contracts her clients have fulfilled.
Ms. Conroy testified as to her responsibilities as a supervisor and described her education and
experience. She acknowledged the orientation and training budget figures could vary and may be
lower than those cited in Document #2.
Mr. Romkema noted that they are happy with the Governor's budget recommendation but stressed
the need for as much funding as possible, and as much funding as possible for new 21 year olds and
any new clients. They serve a few clients with traumatic brain injury and emphasized the need for
continued funding in this area also.
Senator Frederick asked if reimbursement rates in the budget book were stable. Mr. Romkema said
they were fairly stable and the real concern is a change in ICAP scores, not in ICAP reimbursement.
He noted funding for 21 year olds is not guaranteed since it is balanced on attrition, which may not
occur early in the fiscal year and may not happen in the right center.
They are concerned whether adequate funding exists for new clients. Previously there was enough
to cover new clients, but now budgets are tight and the trend is toward waiting lists.
Senator Lawler testified as a parent of a handicapped child living in a group home in Aberdeen.
At that ATC the turnover rate is 80% and new people are trained as well as possible. His daughter
keeps only $30 out of $400 in wages; the remainder goes to co-payments. Senator Frederick
responded that the committee is looking into waivers on that issue.
Secretary Jones noted that the Department is aware of turnover and training costs because they also
deal with this problem at the Redfield facility, which has a >30 % turnover rate.
Ms. Kim Malsam-Rysdon, Department of Human Services, noted that the state has a waiver for its
Developmental Disabilities services from the federal government, and it gives South Dakota some
leeway on co-payments ( Document #3). Clients who work can keep up to $200/month without a
co-payment.
Senator Bogue inquired as to extra income from estates, etc. Some of this type of money might go
into a trust, e.g., an inheritance, but most unearned income is treated like regular income. Total
copayment statewide is just under $1 million from the 19 ATCs.
Senator Frederick asked why Senator Lawler quoted $30/month. Ms. Malsam-Rysdon suggested Social Security laws may impact her particular situation. It is not really possible to change the waiver to increase what working clients can keep. ATCs are guaranteed payment for their census as of July 1st, clients turning 21 years old are always taken care of regardless of when attrition occurs.
Senator Frederick asked whether a waiting list exists. Ms. Malsam-Rysdon responded there is a
waiting list of 16 adults; two are out of state and none are in crisis. Secretary Jones noted if someone
were in crisis and there were no room at an ATC, the individual would be placed in the Redfield
facility.
Representative Richter asked for an update on the eight case managers who came in last year. They
work with the ATCs to ensure they all work evenly. Early results indicate they are happy with the
structure. Representative Richter also requested an organizational chart for the Yankton and Redfield
facilities, including salaries.
Representative Derby requested a description of the Guardianship program. This program assists
with legal decisions for individuals who have no other help. No changes to the program are planned.
Secretary Jones reminded the committee of the request for traumatic brain injury money that has not
come through in the Governor's budget recommendation. He noted they plan to keep working for
those funds.
MOTION:
ADJOURN
Moved by:
Representative Klaudt
Second by:
Senator Kleven
Action:
Prevailed by voice vote.
Deborah Rumrill