* Under Department of Social Services (Budget Item 5180) and administered by the counties.

* Adult Protective Services is a statewide program that provides 24 hour emergency response to reports of abuse and neglect of seniors over 65 years of age and older and "dependent adults" (persons 18 to 64 years of age with a significant disability that limits their ability to protect or care for themselves). 

* The Department of Social Services reports that from 2000-2001 state budget year to 2005-2006 state budgets:

- Number of reports of abuse or neglect received by the Adult Protective Services program increased by 24.2% (an increase of 19,920 reports( 

- Number of opened cases increased 21.9% (an increase 15,702) during that same time period.   

- Number of investigations completed increased 25.6% (an increase 17,423).

- Information and referral calls made to counties increased 15.4% from 595,015 to 686,695 (an increase of 91,680 calls).

* California Welfare Directors Association reported the following:
- From January 2004 and June 2006, a 40% increase in "confirmed" and "non-conclusive" reports 
- Since 2001, financial abuse cases alone have increased 21%. Counties reported a 32% increase in the number of financial abuse cases. 

- Since 2001 self-neglect cases increased 7% and neglect by others increased 16%

- From January 2004 and June 2005, number of active cases managed by Adult Protective Services social worker staff increased by 18%.

- Between 2001 and 2005, a 23% increase in the number of cases assigned to Adult Protective Services for investigation

- Between 2001 and 2005, Adult Protective Services county staff increased only 4%

CDCAN IMPACT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

 

COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING FACILITY INSPECTIONS

GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED REDUCTION: 10% reduction ($2.7 million or $2.3 million state general fund) to the Community Care Licensing Division.  Governor's also proposes an 18 month continuation of 29 limited term positions set to expire December 31, 2008, so that facilities that have not been visited in over 5 years can be inspected (cost of extension would be  $1.1 million ($1.0 million General Fund) for the remaining six months of 2008-09 and $2.1 million ($2.0 million General Fund) for 2009-10.
Budget related language (trailer bill language) proposed would reduce the required number of annual random visits from 30% of facilities to 14% of community care facilities across the State.

BACKGROUND:

* Under the Department of Social Services (Budget Item 5180)

* This program is responsible for inspections of over 85,000 Licensed facilities include childcare facilities, certified foster family homes, foster family agencies, residential care facilities for the elderly, residential care facilities for the chronically ill, adoption agencies, transitional housing, and adult day care that serve over 1.4 million children and adults. 

CDCAN IMPACT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH - the reduction, if approved, will be to be phased in beginning July 1, 2008, resulting in elimination of 33 positions in the 2008-2009 State Budget year and growing to 66 positions in the 2009-2010 State Budget year (or $4.7 million state general fund). 

 

MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR SERVICES PROGRAM (MSSP)

GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED REDUCTION: $544,000 state general funds (reducing overall funding from $8.264 million in state general funds in 20072-008 to $7.720 million in the 2008-2009 State Budget year,or a $15,111 reduction to each of the 36 Linkages Program sites across California

BACKGROUND: 

* Under Department of Aging (Budget Item 4170)

* This program is available in 36 sites statewide and provides care management services to seniors and younger adults aged 18 and older with functional impairments who are at risk of institutionalization.

* In 2005-2006 State Budget year the Linkages Program served about 5,229 people.

* Many of these programs operate at the local level in conjunction with Multipurpose Senior Services Program and other Older Americans Act case management programs, providing referrals and cross-support.

* Persons in the program do not need to meet income eligibility requirements or be eligible for Medi-Cal, but many of them are or are very close to spending down and may easily become eligible.

CDCAN IMPACT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH - If approved, reduction would mean 335 persons who would not be served. 

 

ALZHEIMER'S DAY CARE RESOURCE CENTERS
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED REDUCTION: $416,000 from State general fund, reducing the overall program funding from $4.193 million (State general funds) in 2007-2008 to $3.777 million (State general funds) in 2008-2009. 

BACKGROUND:

* Under Department of Aging (Budget Item 4170)

* Program provides day care services and supports to people 18 years and older diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias who are often not served by other programs, and seniors with physical, emotional, mental health needs. 

* Program is designed to provide facilities with the enhanced infrastructure and specialized staffing, training, education, and support systems needed to meet the needs of persons with moderate to severe levels of dementia.

CDCAN IMPACT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

 

RESPITE (PURCHASE OF SERVICE

GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED REDUCTION: $35,000, reducing funding of the overall program from $426,000 (State general funds)

BACKGROUND: 

* Under Department of Aging (Budget Item 4170)

*  This program, which serves about 377 families across the State, provides temporary services for seniors who are medically frail or adults with functional impairments that provide family caregivers relief from for brief periods of time, from their caregiving work. 

CDCAN IMPACT & PRIORITY: VERY HIGH - it is estimated that if approved, the reduction will mean that 78 fewer families can be served. 

 

LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM