Committee: Joint Appropriations Subcommittee #2
South Dakota Department of Social Services
Mr. Bill Pike, LRC, presented budget information to the committee ( Documents #1 -9).
Representative Derby moved the committee approve Subcommittee #2 minutes for the evening of
January 14, 1999. Seconded by Representative Klaudt. Motion prevailed by voice vote.
Mr. James W. Ellenbecker, Secretary, Department of Social Services (DSS) presented the
committee with an overview and of the Department and a budget summary ( Document #10).
Secretary Ellenbecker introduced DSS staff members: Mr. Mike Vogel, Deputy Secretary, Program
Management; Ms. Paula Hurd, Deputy Secretary, Field Management, Ms. Sharon Sonnenschein,
Deputy Secretary, Quality Control; Ms. Darla Blaseg, Finance Officer.
Secretary Ellenbecker presented an overview of the Department and its major initiatives.
Senator Hainje assumed the gavel.
The Secretary over viewed welfare reform and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This program has been fully implemented in the Department for two years. There has been a decrease in caseload; the Department predicts 3,600 cases for FY00. The tribes have the
option to run their own TANF program. Sisseton-Wapheton Sioux tribe is the only tribe in South
Dakota running its own program. They have approximately 128 cases, and their caseload has stayed
about the same. The Department provides some technical assistance to them each year.
Secretary Ellenbecker reported on work responsibility for TANF cases. He noted the Department
needs to begin moving resources to reservations and away from other geographic areas. The
Department will provide the cost of the TANF program on reservations, broken down by reservation.
The TANF program is a 5-year block grant to the state as the caseloads decrease, the cases left will
be the tougher cases.
Senator Frederick inquired as to the credits the state has with the federal government. Secretary
Ellenbecker responded the state had $6 million at the end of FY97 and $14 million at the end of
FY98.
Mr. Vogel noted that TANF cases can be closed if clients refuse to participate in the work program.
Secretary Ellenbecker reported some work requirements on the reservations are fulfilled through
community service. TANF recipients may work for Headstart, schools, tribes, and churches. The
Department relies on local supervisors for verification of work requirements. There is no third-party
verification at this time; the Department is still developing that process since the community projects
were only initiated last year. There is not much resistance to the program and its requirements.
The Department tallies the number of sanctioned cases. There have been approximately 140 cases
in which entitlements were either reduced of discontinued.
Senator Kleven assumed the gavel.
Secretary Ellenbecker outlined Child Support Enforcement. He reported on the Child Support
Collection Data program, noting the Department is in the process of centralizing collection services.
Some of these services are being taken over from the court system. The Department projects an
increase in the number of child support payors. Most cases are not TANF cases. The Department
collects approximately 60% of the total amount to be collected. There is a formula for the enticement
received from the federal government for working with other states on the collection of child
support.
Representative Klaudt questioned the six new FTEs in this program for FY99. Ms. Blaseg
responded this program received 10 new FTEs for FY99, four for investigations and six to take on
what were previously court system processes. The Secretary noted that state laws regarding child
care support cannot be enforced on the reservation. The state must work with the tribal court.
Secretary Ellenbecker overviewed four initiatives in the Child Care Program: 1) Out of School Time
Care; 2) Training Child Care Providers; 3) Early Brain Development; 4) Child Care Capacity
Building.
The Secretary reported on three initiatives under the Medicaid program: 1) Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), 2) Chemical Dependency Treatment for Pregnant Women, and 3) Delta Dental Services. The Department revised the projected number of CHIP recipients from 7,300 to
6,000. The Governor wants to expand the income requirement from 133% to 150% of the poverty
level. There is no statutory authority required to increase the income requirement.
The Department has served nine clients in 1999 through the Chemical Dependency Treatment for
Pregnant Women program. There are no plans to place the program on the reservations. The federal
government has the responsibility for this type of program on reservations. Representative Klaudt
noted that the costs of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children are incurred by the state through services
later accessed by these children.
The Department is planning to renegotiate a two-year contract extension with Delta Dental since the
program has worked well and improved access to clients.
Secretary Ellenbecker reported the electronic benefits program is working well for food stamps and
electronic payment of supplemental security income. The Department is considering changing
support payments and heating assistance program payments to an electronic format also.
The Secretary outlined the Child Protection Services Program. He highlighted the Family and Child
Information System, which is designed to improve case management. The Family Centered Practice
is designed to focus service on the families and move away from an investigative model. The School
Social Worker project has had positive feedback from the school systems. State money in the form
of a grant is used to fund the social worker. The Department does not believe the outcomes of the
project are easily measured or quantified.
The Parenting Education project is based on a Nebraska model and is helping to standardize the
content of parenting classes throughout the state. Senator Bogue asked whether reimbursement
should be required for parents ordered by the court system to enroll in the course. Representative
Klaudt requested a projection of the number of participants, which the Department will provide.
Secretary Ellenbecker presented information on Adult Services and Aging.
Senator Frederick assumed the gavel.
Home- and community-based services are seeing occupancy changes in nursing homes. Nursing
homes seem to be satisfied with budget recommendations. Representative Klaudt noted there are
different reimbursement rates for rural versus urban nursing homes.
Senator Hainje assumed the gavel.
Representative Klaudt noted the large amount of paper work for nursing professionals associated
with nursing homes. Secretary Ellenbecker explained one rate is determined for each facility, and
then there is case mixed payment. A discussion followed on assessments of nursing home residents.
There are 44 or 45 classification of patients. Classification of patients is reviewed every three
months. Senator Kleven inquired as to Assisted Living Centers. The Secretary noted the financial
reimbursement to these facilities from the state is a set amount.
MOTION:
ADJOURN
Deborah Rumrill