Authority: Title 63.2, Chapters 1, 6, 6.2, 6.5, 13 and 14, Code of Virginia; P.L. 104-193, Titles IV A, XIX, and XXI, Social Security Act, Federal Code, as amended.
A. The amounts in this Item shall be expended under regulations of the Board of Social Services to reimburse county and city welfare/social services boards pursuant to § 63.2-401, Code of Virginia, and subject to the same percentage limitations for other administrative services performed by county and city public welfare/social services boards and superintendents of public welfare/social services pursuant to other provisions of the Code of Virginia, as amended.
B. Pursuant to the provisions of §§ 63.2-403, 63.2-406, 63.2-407, 63.2-408, and 63.2-615 Code of Virginia, all moneys deducted from funds otherwise payable out of the state treasury to the counties and cities pursuant to the provisions of § 63.2-408, Code of Virginia, shall be credited to the applicable general fund account.
C. Included in this appropriation are funds to reimburse local social service agencies for eligibility workers who interview applicants to determine qualification for public assistance benefits which include but are not limited to: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Food Stamps; and Medicaid.
D. Included in this appropriation are funds to reimburse local social service agencies for social workers who deliver program services which include but are not limited to: child and adult protective services complaint investigations; foster care and adoption services; and adult services.
E. Out of the federal fund appropriation for Eligibility Determination, amounts estimated at $15,000,000 the first year and $15,000,000 the second year shall be set aside for allowable local costs which exceed available general fund reimbursement and amounts estimated at $10,500,000 the first year and $10,500,000 the second year shall be set aside to reimburse local governments for allowable costs incurred in administering public assistance programs.
F. Beginning July 1, 2008, the Commissioner of Social Services shall work with the governing bodies of localities operating a single jurisdiction local department of social services with 2007 provisional population estimates of 20,000 or less to examine and identify efficiencies or general fund cost savings as a result of consolidating those programs and/or administrative operations. The Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the identified local governing bodies, shall include a comparative evaluation of costs in localities operating a single jurisdiction local department of social services below and above populations of 20,000, conformity of staffing patterns with established workload measures in such smaller localities, and compliance with established performance measures in those small agencies. The Commissioner shall report on the potential savings accrued by this action to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by December 1, 2008.