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HomeMy WebLinkAbout710474.tiff Part VI STATISTICAL REPORTING ON CASELOAD CHARACTERISTICS - 173 - 710474 - Statistical Reporting Present Situation All statistical reports are now prepared as prescribed by the Colorado State Department of Welfare. These reports provide detailed information as to expenditures by type, number of cases, and total dollars. Evaluation _ The evaluation of the statistical reports as prepared is as follows : 1. These reports do not provide statistical information as to the nature of the caseload. Detailed sociological data as to the type and nature of the people on the caseload, the nature of their problems, the possible processes which might be used to service their problems or to provide rehabilitation to them is not available. 2. These reports do not provide management with what types of cases are coming in to be added to the rolls, what problems recipients face, or what types of cases are going off the rolls. 3. A detailed knowledge of the ever-changing conditions in Intake is not developed. 4. Therefore, it is impossible to control the agency workload, to schedule that workload, or to adjust the staff to a changing workload under present circumstances. - 174 - Recommendation. The recommendations are as follows: 1. . That reports which present detailed sociological data be developed as part of the fund of knowledge about each — case, be machine printed, and be made available at the end of each month for decision making. — 2. That qualified members of the staff, working with the Director, be assigned the responsibility of analyzing this data for the purpose of designing and revising the total — welfare program in ways which will reduce the need for welfare and provide preventive recommendations for the program. 3. That a method of recording and reporting social — characteristics of persons receiving public assistance be developed. This method should be developed to involve: -" a. Personal characteristics which are pertinent to the profile of a recipient. b. Environmental factors which are pertinent to the — profile of a recipient. c. Research on statistics and other available material on — the subject of social characteristics. d. Review and evaluation of current methods used in statistical reporting of social characteristics. — e. Development of a method of recording social charac- teristic information on all applicants for public '- assistance. f. Development of a system of summarizing and reporting data on social characteristics through use of EDP. _ g. Development of a method of utilizing this data so that Welfare Department directors can use the data as a management tool. - 175 - • 4. That liaison be maintained with city and county planning departments for the purpose of sharing statistical infor- mation. This information would include the social characteristics provided by the U S Census and Statistics on the makeup of welfare rolls. The data would be utilized in planning for the future of the city, the county and the welfare department. Liaison should be assigned to the assistant director of the welfare department. _ 176 - Part VII ELIGIBILITY AWE FOOD STAMP DIVISION - 177 - • ., Eligibility Unit Introduction The separation of the eligibility and service functions related to the total caseload of the Department was an important objective when the study began. Implementation of separation in the adult areas, with the exception of medical services,* was effective early in the study. Separation for the Family Service area was not accomplished until December, 1970. Observation of the Eligibility Unit was delayed until employes had sufficient time to adjust to their new positions and procedures for handling the workload had been established. - 178 - - *This separation did not occur until July 12, 1971. Staffing of the Eligibility Division The Situation at First Observation At that time in the Family Service area, there Were 3 technicians handling continuing eligibility and 2 technicians were respon- sible for intake eligibility. One clerk-typist and a part-time — assistant handled typing for these 5 technicians. In the Adult area, there were 2 .k technicians (1 served half- time as intake technician) handling continuing eligibility. Two clerk-typists were available' to do typing and filing. The application clerk did typing for both the adult and family service intake technicians (setting up new cases) . Evaluation Although the caseload is larger in adult services, the workload is less due to less frequent redetermination requirements (half as many) and a more stable clientele--they change their living — situation less frequently. When the workloads for the adult and family service areas were compared then, it appeared that there was an inequity in the assignment of clerical help to the technicians. Recommendations The recommendations were as follows: ` 1. That 1 adult eligibility clerk-typist be assigned to the family service area. 2. That the 3 clerk-typists (2 in the. family area, 1 in the — adult) be flexible with regard to work assignments. That is, any one of the three can shift as the workload — fluctuates, in either the adult or family area. - 179 - 3. That the application clerk be given additional duties either typing or clerical. Assignment of these duties to be made by the eligibility clerical supervisor as the need arises. 4. That 2 technicians share responsibility for all intake eligibility (families and adults) . This will allow flexibility as the workload shifts from one area to the other. 5. That each technician be qualified to determine eligibility in any categorical program so that fluctuation in workload can be handled by shifting existing staff. 6. That peak period workloads be handled by paying overtime to those employes best qualified to do the job. The above recommendations were based on data recorded in Exhibit XXV. - 180 - Exhibit XXV — Eligibility Technician Work Time Analysis Total Time Number Av. time % of Element (minutes l_ of times (minutes ) Total Time* Food Stamp Cert . 130 22 6 8 .0% (1 ) Food Stamp infor- mation given 53 17 3 Redetermination 271 72 3 3/4 23. 2 (1) Redetermination-- with complications 259 24 10 3/4 Budget revision 28 5 5 1/2 1 . 2 (1 ) — Client in office 118 14 8 1/3 8 .4 (1 ) Client in office-- multiple problems 74 3 24 — Group intake 56 1 56 2. 5 (2) Incoming call-- 104 34 3 4. 6 (2) from client Incoming call--misc. 25 9 2 3/4 1 . 1 (2) — Outgoing call--misc. 5 3 1 2/3 . 2 Confer with other employe 128 59 2 1/4 5. 6 — Confer w/supr . 10 5 2 .4 (2) Deliver or file cases or papers 89 21 4 1/4:' . 3. 9 _ Search for case 35 4 8 3/4 1 . 5 Write letter 108 10 11 4 .7 (1 ) Sort things to do 73 2? 2 3/4 3. 2 Lend form letter 37 12 3 1. 6 (1) — Personal time 39 14 2 3/4 1 . 7 Misc . actions--prod.** 101 11 9 1/4 4. 4 (2) Misc . actions--non- — productive** 143 27 5 1/4 6 . 3 Address change 8 2 4 .4 (2) Coffee break 54 4 13 1/2 2. 3 Staff meeting 88 1 88 3. 9 Process new ap. -- partially 175 19 9 1/4 10 .9 (1 ) Process new ap . -- — completely 73 5 14 1/2 , Total time 2285 Total (1) 58 .0% Total ( 2) 13.4% *Based on 6 days , except that one staff meeting was not con- sidered , to show true situation of one meeting per week . **See Page 2 for examples . - 1G1 - Exhibit XXV (continued) Work Time Analysis -- Page 2 Examples of actions included in miscellaneous Actions-- Productive : 1 . Checking list of returned checks , to determine action . 2. Transferring case to another division . 3. Handling miscellaneous details on case . 4 . Pulling cases for redetermination eligibility review. 5 . Reading memos and correspondence. Examples of actions included in miscellaneous Actions-- '- Non-productive : 1 . Time spent with recipient who should have been seen by another technician . 2. Discussing agency or State policies on any subject. 3. Writing orders for supplies , or restocking supplies . 4. Taking phone calls meant for other employes. 5 . Tracking down information requested by other agencies . (ex : Medicaid ) . - 182 - Present Situation The present situation is as follows : 1. The Eligibility Unit staff includes a supervisor, 8 technicians and 4 clerk typists, h of whom acts as a sub-supervisor over clerical fundtions.. 2. Work assignments are as follows: Intake eligibility (all categories) 2 technicians — Continuing eligibility-Families 3 technicians Continuing eligibility-Adults 2k technicians -' Continuing eligibility-Adult technician Medical — Services Clerical-Adult and Family cases 3 clerk-typists Clerical-Adult Medical Services 1 clerk-typist 3. The application clerk provides elerieal. aasistance,on an "as needed" basis, and the part-time help of of a Neighborhood Youth Corps worker is available. 4. Space has been reassigned to permit technicians easier access to case records in their work room. S. Two clerk-typists are now assigned to the Family Service area and ]. clerk-typist specializes in Adult cases; all 3 clerk-typists are available to bandit work overloads in either the adult or family areas. — 6. The medical services clerk-typist continues to specialize in that area. — 7. The medical services clerk=typist and the technician assigned to handle medical services eligibility are physically — isolated from the rest of the eligibility staff. - 183 - - 8. A Resource Investigator has been appointed and will be assigned to the eligibility division. This position will be responsible for: — a. Follow-up on declarations of clients to assure realistic reporting of resources available to them. b. Expediting referrals of child support non-payments to the County Attorney for enforcement or prosecution. 9. Eligibility technicians participated in a State-sponsored workshop in July, 1971. 10. When recipients are unable to complete redetermination forms or other assistance is not available, caseworkers continue to call on the recipient to assist in completing the form. In most instances, these are OAP or AND cases. 11. The mailing of eligibility redetermination forms is a major component of work in the County Department. The State Department can, from the computer data, print out the necessary mailing information on the redetermination form and mail it directly to the recipient. — - 184 - Evaluation The evaluation is as follows: r 1. The placing of case records in the same room with the technicians has improved efficiency of the technicians who were spending an inordinate amount of time looking for case records. 2. The decision to locate the new medical services eligibility team in an area remote from the rest of the eligibility staff has, however, contributed to a decrease in efficiency. and hinders consolidation of the eligibility function. 3. Flexibility in the duty assignments for clerk-typists in the division has provided an effective means of handling _ workload fluctuations. 4. Technicians have benefited. from training in the techniques —' of interviewing. 5. The inability on the part of individual technicians to organize their work or properly utilize their time was reflected in the initial observation of the division. (See results, Exhibit XXV.) The second observation conducted in July, 1971, confirmed the first findings; differences in the two observations were not significant. 6. A resource investigator has been assigned to the eligibility division to assist in difficult eligibility decisions including child support and fraud investigations.This position will be a valuable asset to the operation of the eligibility division. - 185 - ,-� 7. Problems continue to exist in the following areas: a. "Out" cards for case files removed from the file are not in use (the cards had not yet been ordered on August 2, 1971, although a recommendation on the subject was approved early in the study) . This results in time lost in searching for files. b. Technicians do not have in their desks a supply of frequently used forms. c. Technicians continue to discuss individual cases among themselves. 8. Since 40% of recipients do not return the first notice of redetermination of eligibility, an undue follow- up load is placed on the County Department. The burden of proof of eligibility should rest with the recipient of public assistance. The Federal regulations and/or law should be revised so that the original notification to the effect that redetermination is due will carry a notice that the failure to return the form within 14 days will result in removal from the welfare rolls. 9. The function of assisting clients in completing redeter- mination forms, when this is necessary, should be carried out by eligibility technicians rather than by caseworkers. 10. Since the redetermination of eligibility form can be computer addressed by the State Department, adoption of that practice would eliminate that time-consuming function from the County, or eliminate duplication of computer a storage and time in the County and the State. - 186 - Food Stamp Program Introduction This part of the report deals with the food stamp function of the department. The established procedure, modified during the course of the study to meet changing office conditions, has been tested and proven, and the office is operating smoothly and efficiently_ �. - 187 - • Food Stamps The Situation at the Beginning of the Study At the beginning of the study, the situation was as follows: '- 1. Food Stamp operations were conducted from a small room in the basement of the Welfare Department building. ^ 2. Two employes, a cashier and an assistant, were assigned full time to Food Stamp sales functions. 3. Other Food Stamp functions - certification, recertification, other necessary paperwork, and filing were handled by the entire staff of the Department. 4. Caseworkers and their supervisors were handling certifications, and most of the paperwork flowed through the, Master File room. 5. At peak periods (payday, or the summer migrant influx) the total agency staff, from the receptionist to the director, was involved in processing Food Stamp applications or purchases. • - 188 - Changes Which Occurred During the Study Changes which have occurred are as follows : 1. A procedure was developed which would have relieved the chaotic Food Stamp situation in the Welfare Department building. However, before the procedure could be ^ implemented, the decision was made to move the Food Stamp operation into a leased trailer at Island Grove. 2. A complete staff was assembled for the move and a supervisor was hired. 3. The original procedure was amended for use in this trailer ^ (See Third Interim Report), but implementation was delayed in anticipation of the acquisition of a larger trailer of ^ better design. 4. The procedure was again amended (See Fourth Interim Report), for use in the larger trailer, and was implemented in -- December, 1970. S. Some confusion resulted from the fact that certification of public assistance recipients was being done at the main Welfare building and certification of non-public assistance clients was being done at the trailer, but both groups purchased stamps at the trailer. 6. Further confusion resulted from the delay in separation of eligibility and services in Family Services. 7. Caseworkers in Family Services were still handling Food Stamp certifications and often made errors due to lack of expertise in this type of work. 8. When separation was complete and eligibility technicians took over the certification function, this problem was alleviated. - 189 - 9. A mail order system for Food Stamp purchases was instituted in August, 1970, and a procedure was developed for the operation. 10. The volume of mail generated by this system justified the renting of a post office box for the exclusive use of the Food Stamp office. 11. Some major changes in policy were imposed by the USDA (the sponsoring agency for Food Stamps) during the study. The changes, involving eligibility rules and the denominations of stamps, required extensive re-orientation of employes in the Food Stamp unit. 12. The enforcement of an existing rule made it necessary to send two persons to conduct sales at the Ft. Lupton office on Wednesdays. Previously, this had been a one-man operation. - 190 - ._ Present Situation The present situation is as follows: — 1. The Food Stamp unit staff consists of 4 eligibility technicians, a cashier, 2 clerk-typists and a supervisor. — 2. The office is open for sales .and certification five days a week, and the Fort Lupton office is open for sales each Wednesday. — 3. The office is closed to all outsiders on the first working day of each month for inventory and record-report writing,and during the noon hour each day. Exceptions to these rules are made to accommodate peak sales days. — 4. The Food Stamp unit, operating since January, 1971 under the procedure included in this report, handled volume as follows: — Families Purchasing Food Stamps Month PA non-PA Mail Issue Total Dollar Sales June, 1970 571 833 - 1404 $ 148,943 Dec., 1970 832 1209 228 2269 181, 393 Jan., 1971 858 984 253 2095 160,953 .... Feb., 1971 825 884 257 1966 152,562 Mar., 1971 981 945 288 2214 163,215 — Apr., 1971 926 901 279 2106 169, 941 May, 1971 972 1144 277 2393 206,721 June, 1971 971 1290 265 2526 231,306 - 191 - .-. .. 5. All operations are being handled by the existing staff with part-time assistance from a WIN trainee and Neighborhood Youth Corps workers. 6. The annual influx of migrant workers was absorbed with no adverse effect on the performance of service to year- - round residents of the County. 7. The ability of the Food Stamp unit staff to provide efficient service to clients can be attributed, in large part, to the following changes which were the result of recommendations: a. A separate Food Stamp case numbering system for non- - public assistance clients has been established. This eliminates the confusion created by assigning welfare department household numbers to both PA and non-PA clients. b. As a supplement to the new numbering system, a pending case record system was also established. Under this system, the Food Stamp office receives from the Master File Room, notice of all approved PA cases. If the new PA recipient was receiving Food Stamps under a non- - PA case number, this non-PA number is dropped and the PA household number is used instead. c. A safe for storing Food Stamps and money was installed at Island Grove. This eliminated frequent trips to the Welfare building to use the business office safe where cash and stamps were stored. d. Signs directing clients to the proper building were installed at Island Grove, reducing interference in the building adjoining the Food Stamp office. - 192 - e. Food Stamp mail orders were expedited by allowing the Food Stamp cashier to maintain a supply of postage stamps instead of mailing everything through the main welfare office. _ f. The Food Stamp supervisor assumed a more aggressive role in delegating duties among his staff and following up on performance of work of the staff. g. The Food Stamp unit staff has achieved the flexibility necessary to absorb peak workloads. _ h. The operational procedure (included in this report) as implemented, has been successfully adapted to meet changing conditions and requirements. i. Appointments for certification are made, but the schedule is flexible, to allow for cancellations and drop-in _ clients. j. Arrangements were made to keep the Food Stamp sales office open on Wednesdays (while the Ft. Lupton office is open) to accommodate clients in the main food stamp office. - 193 - Evaluation The evaluation is as follows: 1. The Food Stamp function, as it operates under the recommended procedure, could be handled by a smaller staff. The capacity to handle significant variations in volume could be assumed by temporary assignment of other personnel on peak days only. 2. Employes in the Food Stamp unit have learned the art of flexibility and are able to handle most situations with a minimum of confusion about their roles. 3. Adequate supervision now contributes to the efficient performance of the unit's work. 4. The continued state of flux which seems to characterize government programs is apparent in the Food Stamp operation. Rules are changed with regularity and employes must constantly adjust to the new requirements by learning and applying them. 5. An unstable economy, with layoffs in major industries, and the coming and going of a student population, contribute to the uncertainty over how to prepare for future workloads in Weld County. 6. One factor is constant among the changes. Each payday for welfare recipients is a "rush" day at the Food Stamp sales office. - 194 - Recommendations The recommendat_ons are as follows: 1. That the eligibility and food stamp units be combined into an — Eligibility Division. 2. That the Division have one supervisor. — 3. That a cashier (as defined in the Merit System job description) be responsible for Food Stamp operations. 4. a. That each technician be responsible for intake and con- tinuing eligibility for a specific caseload.* Caseloads would be divided alphabetically in numerically equal parts — to work technicians. b. That all eligibility staff, including the Food Stamp unit, except the Intake technicians who would remain in the main — office be moved to a building large enough to accommodate all eligibility operations. This would permit a greater degree of flexibility in use of staff. Technicians, clerks, and clerk-typists could move easily from one categorical area to another as workloads shifted. The physical isolation would also sharpen the line of separation of services and eligibility. This line is only loosely drawn at present. — c. That the eligibility unit, except 2 Intake technicians, be moved to the Island Grove building (the Child Welfare unit would move to the main building see space assignments in Part XII ) . This would place the eligibility and food stamp units in adjacent quarters and permit more flexibility — in staffing the division. d. That the Intake eligibility function remain in the main office in support of the Intake services function. Clerk- typist duties associated with the Intake eligibility function will be handled by the application clerk. — *This assumes that a building large enough to adequately house all welfare department operations will be provided in the future. Alternate recommendations are in 4 b and c. - - 195 - 5. That case records be placed adjacent to technicians* desks for ease of access. 6. That the clerk-typist assigned to the adult medical services caseload assume the normal responsibilities of an eligibility clerk-typist. (See Plan of Operation for duties.) 7. That a Senior Eligibility Technician position be established in the division. This person would be a working supervisor of eligibility determinations and be responsible directly to the division supervisor. - 196 - 7. That each technician be qualified to determine -' eligibility for any categorical program so that fluctuations in workload can be handled by shifting existing staff. • - 8. That the role of the supervisor of the eligibility division be strengthened to assure a maximum reasonable — rate of processing of eligibility determinations and redetermination s, as well as Food Stamp sales: 9. That the function of the resource investigator be — developed in accordance with stated objectives. 10. That "out" cards be utilized when case jackets are removed from the files to permit location of the files when necessary. 11. That eligibility technicians store adequate inventory — of appropriate forms in their desks. 12. That technicians, through adequate supervision, be dis- couraged from discussing cases with other technicians except in cases of definite need of consultation. 13. Recommendations made to the State Department, which would simplify the work process by revising forms or procedures, provide: — a. That the State Department data processing unit provide the following: (1) An alphabetical list of redetermination due, for use in mailing redetermination forms. (2) A list of those AND and AB recipients who are — reaching age 60 and possibly should apply for OAP-B. - 197 - (3) A list of those OAP-B recipients, who are reaching age 65 and must apply for OAP-A. (4) A list of all children who have reached age 16. (They must be in school to be eligible for financial assistance and their status must be verified) . (5) Mailing service on all categorical redetermination forms . These forms would be prepared from computer data and mailed directly to recipients. (b) That the following changes be made in the procedures related to the PA75, PA76, or PA77: (1) That the PA75, advance notification of _ change in amount of assistance, not be required in those instances in which a recipient is fully aware of the change and does not need additional notice. Example: A one-time increase granted for a special situation. No notice would have to be sent to inform client that grant was reverting to normal amount. (2) The signed PA75 is being held by technicians until the 14-day waiting period is over, regardless of when the document was signed. Bulletin 1261-C which deals with PA75 procedures should be amended by adding as the second paragraph: "If the recipient signs the form and returns it, the contemplated - 198 - action on the case mir\be carried out at once, and a Form PA77 sent to the — recipient." (3) An easy reference for "reasons and — rules which apply", to be used on the PA75 could be provided by including a brief descriptive sentence along with the codes' in manual section 9126.512. (4) Form PA75 should be provided in pads -for — easy use by technicians who now must insert carbons in loose sheets. (5) Forms PA75 and PA76 should be designed for use in window envelopes to eliminate the need to type an envelope. — (c) That the following changes be made in procedures or policies related to redeter- mination of eligibility: (1) That regulations be revised to permit notification that recipients who fail to return the first redetermination forms within 14 days will be removed from the — rolls, and that the first notice include the following: "This form must be returned by — . You will not receive your check until eligibility — has been re-established. This form gives the County Welfare Department the infor- mation necessary to continue your — eligibility." - 199 - (2) That the confuse` resulting from the present use of "last redetermination date" on the RS700 be eliminated by amending Section 9122-226 of the manual to read: "On existing cases, the date to be entered, after the decision on continuing eligibility has been made, is the date which reflects the actual period when redetermination must be achieved, as established on initial approval of eligibility." The RS700 should also be changed from a "last redetermination date!' to "next redetermination date" to provide better control on overdue redetermination s. This date would reflect the actual month in which redetermination is to be accomplished. l4. That the cash value of insurance be eliminated from the computation of the assets of an applicant for assistance. This would relieve technicians of the burden of writing to each insurance company to verify cash value of individual policies. 15. That an eligibility technician be assigned the task of assisting recipients in completing redetermination forms in instances where this is necessary. 16. That the manual (9128.1) be amended to allow counties to prepare the OA6 Authorization for Disbursing Order in one copy rather than in duplicate. - 200 - 17. That welfare recipient payroll dates be staggered so that all recipients do not desire to purchase Food Stamps on the same day. lC. That the Food Stamp office be open every working day at — regular hours. The practice of closing on the first working day of each month is confusing to clients. Careful planning of workloads will allow time for month-end reports to be done while the office is open. 19. That the Food Stamp operation under the attached procedure be continued. The same procedure, with minor revisions, may be carried out• in another location. • - 201 - Plan of aration - Eligibility Introduction. The preliminary plan of operation for the Eligibility Division is developed to provide an operational approach for this section of the Weld County Department of Welfare. This plan will provide the technicians and clerk-typists with space, tools and techniques which will enable them to function effectively and efficiently. Space It is proposed that all employes be provided with adequate work areas and that each technician will have the case records assigned to him placed adjacent to his desk. Office Equipment Office equipment for each technician will be as follows: 1. A desk and chair. 2. File cabinets sufficient to hold the case records for the assigned caseload. 3. A telephone. 4. A chair for client use during office visits. 5. A stapler. 6. An "in" and "out" box: . Operational Procedure - Technicians The operational procedure will be as follows: 1. All work on each case will begin with the opening of the case record. 2. Each record will contain all details concerning eligibility of the recipient. - 202 - 3. Action taken on a case will be recorded on the approp- riate form at the time of the action, i.e. a budget revision would be made on the PA2C form at the time the client provides the new budget information. 4. ROC sheets will be used when no standard eligibility form is appropriate to record the information. — S. Case records will remain in the file at all times unless some action is being taken, i.e. budget revision, redetermination, change of address, etc. 6. "Out" cards will be used consistently to indicate a case record removed from the technician's file. — 7. A supply of each form. used by technicians will be kept in their desks. Re-orders will be given to the delivery clerk as needed. Other Procedural Revisions Other procedural revisions will be as follows: 1. Technicians will not consult among themselves about individual cases. Questions will be answered by re- ferring to the manual first, followed by conference with the supervisor, if interpretation is necessary. 2. Each technician should receive training in "public relations" so that he can obtain necessary eligibility -, information from the client quickly while maintaining a mutually satisfying relationship with the client. - 203 - -- Operational Procedures - Clerical Operational procedure will follow that system presently in use in the eligibility division. These procedures will be subject to constant review by the eligibility division supervisor so that each unit of work is performed in the most efficient manner. The major units of work will be to: 1. Provide typing service for technicians and the division supervisor. 2. Maintain a tickler file for redetermination of recipient eligibility. 3. Forward the case record, with completed redetermination form attached, to technicians for eligibility review. 4. Mail due notices for redetermination to recipient. 5. Provide technicians with list of clients who have not responded to second notice of redetermination due. 6. File RS 700 "turnarounds" received from State. 7. Type on the RS 700 all changes initiated by technicians. 8. Mail form letters prepared by technicians. 9. Provide case record filing service which ensures instant access to any case record. This requires consistent use of "out" cards. 0- - 204 - Food Stamp Prg1edure 1. All food stamp clients will report to the Control Technician at the south door of the trailer and will receive a pre- numbered tag.* On busy days, the Control Technician or a helper will take I.D. 's in exchange for the number tag at the trailer door until capacity of waiting room is reached. These clients will be processed before allowing more clients into the trailer. 2. The Control Technician will note on the FS50 Form (See Exhibit XXVI) the tag number, last name of client and purpose of visit to the office. 3. If client wishes only to purchase food stamps, the Control Technician will acquire, from the client, his ID card. The Control Technician will write, in pencil, the tag number on the client's ID card and ask the client to wait. A. Control Technician, or a clerk assigned to assist on busy days, will check the ID card against the FS9 on file.** ._ (1) If the FS9 indicates the client is properly certified, the clerk will fill out the FS9 and make the entry on Form FS11 (Daily Tally Sheet) and send clients to the sales office in groups as called for by the cashier. The first client in the group will carry the FS9's for the group and give them to the cashier. (2) If certification is not valid, according to the FS9, the clerk will inform the client (identified by the tag number), return the client's ID card, and ask him to report to the Control Technician. The Control Technician will note on his £S50 list the change in "purpose" and ask the client to wait. (See 4 (1) on next page.) + *Control Technician will stop issuing numbers when maximum capacity has been reached. Tentative numbers can be issued after this point in case more clients can be served. **The FS9 files will be moved from the sales office to the certification office. _ 205 - 4. If client has an appointment to make application or be re- certified for food stamps, the Control Technician will check the name off the appointment calendar. Appointments are to be entered on the FS50 one-half hour before actual time to assure service to the client. If client does not appear for the appointment, his time can be reassigned to another client. a. If client has no appointment, he will be informed by the Control Technician of the approximate time he will be served. If he chooses to make an appointment for a later day, the Control Technician will not issue a number tag to this client, but will give him an appointment slip (See Exhibit XXVII) . _ b. Clients waiting for certification will be called, by tag number, by the Control Technician as Eligibility Technicians are available to serve them. The Control Technician will also handle certifications when he is free to do so. (1) Clients who have been pulled out of the sales line (3 (2) above) will be given the first open appointment spot in order of their tag numbers. They have priority over clients who have not made appointments (4A above) . - 206 - 5. When cert_t' cation process is complete: ^ a. If the client wishes to purchase food stamps immediately, the Eligibility Technician will note client's tag number on his ID card and ask client to wait in sales office line. — b. If the client does not wish to purchase food stamps, the Eligibility Technician will keep the number tag and — return it to the Control Technician. c. The Eligibility Technician will take client's papers to the typist immediately. Papers for those clients who _ wish to purchase food stamps immediately will be marked "emergency" so that the typist will process the papers — promptly and have them available (with ID card attached) to the cashier by the time client reaches head of sales line. 6. When food stamp cashier has on hand the ID card and FS9 for one or more clients, he will begin serving clients in — order by tag number. a. Cashier will notify Control Technician, by telephone, when he can serve more clients (the waiting area in the sales office is limited; therefore, on busy days when the weather is bad, many clients will have to wait — in the larger room at the south end of the trailer) . b. Client will give his number tag to the Control Technician when called to go to the sales office. (Cashier will — erase pencil notation of tag number off the ID card before returning it to the client.) c. Normal sales procedure will follow. (1) On peak over-the-counter days, each cashier will have his own supply of food stamps and an FS10 Daily Report _ form. Each cashier will tally his sales at the end of the day in accordance with established procedures. - - 207 - Food Stamp Mail Issuance Procedure 1. Request for mail issuance (FS21) is received by mail order cashier. a. Master tile card is typed by cashier and pertinent information entered on back of card. (See Exhibit XXVII) . b. FS22 is mailed to client. This letter informs client of amount of money necessary to purchase Food Stamps and gives information about when and how to send money. 2. Money order is received by mail order cashier. a. Master file card and FS9 card are pulled. b. If papers are not in order (needs recertification or there is no FS2l on file) or an improper remittance* has been sent, Form FS23 is mailed to client. This form explains why the food stamp order cannot be filled. (1) Notation is made on back of master file card that FS23 was sent. c. If all papers are in order, the normal over-the-counter sales procedure is followed and the stamps are promptly mailed. (1) Notation is made on back of master file card that stamps were mailed. *Checks or money orders made out improperly can be endorsed over to USDA rather than returning them to client. - 208 - .._ _.._..... FS50 CONTROL LIST Exhibit XXVI _ FOOD STAMPS Seen by Tag Client's Certifi- or sent Number Name Sales cation to sales Comments • - 209 - • • Exhibit 3XVII Food Stamp Forms To be printed on reverse side of present food stamp file card ;3 x 5) for use as mail order master file- , Money Received 'Stamps FS21 FS22 FS23 Date (Amt [Type Mailed Recd. Sent Sent Comments To be mimeographed for use as appointment cards for food stamps: Food Stamp Appointment FOR: ON: (day of week) (Date) AT A.M. P.M. Weld County Department of Welfare Greeley, Colorado - ^1C - ,-- — Part VIII - BUSINESS OFFICE, ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING (EDP) and RECIPIENT PAYROLL PROCESSING - 211 - Introduction The utilization of electronic data processing in the business office and in the area of case control was considered an important objective of the study. Significant progress had been made in these areas at the time that the firm of Anderson, Hunter, Thompte and Kurtz was retained by the Board of County Commissioners to conduct a comprehensive review of operations in the business office. Our work in the business office and electronic data processing areas was then completed in cooperation with the accountant consulting firm. Detailed reports are being prepared by the accounting consultants. These reports will include: 1. A chart of accounts for electronic data processing; 2. Detailed procedures for operation of the business office. 3. Recommendations for staffing of the business office. 4. Description of jobs in the business office. No attempt will be made here to repeat any of the information which will be available in the acountant's report. - 212 - Situation at i : Beginning of the Study The situation was as follows : — 1. The recipient payroll was prepared by hand operations including the use of an addressograph machine for mailing. 2. Most financial transactions required some intervention by clerks at. the courthouse before they could be completed.This included the typing of some payrolls at the courthouse. — 3. Several means of double-checking payrolls for accuracy were employed by business office personnel. Each checking — operation consumed a significant amount of time. A Kardex file was maintained as a permanent double-check of payroll information. — 4. Each operation carried out in the business office involved at least two, and often three, employes. Coordination -' of these efforts often delayed completion of the work. 5. Many routine tasks were being performed by clerks whose time should have been used for more complex operations.6. There was no established procedure for issuing checks between normal paydays; therefore, a newly approved recipient might have to wait three weeks for his first check. 7. Repeated delays in implementing statistical reporting by the State E D P unit resulted in laborious hand-counting of case actions. — 8. Some services already available from the State were not being utilized by the County. These services included the direct mailing of medical cards by the State. 9. The switchboard operator, working under supervision of the business office, also served as receptionist for the agency. - - 213 - Changes Which Occurred During the Study Recommendations which were implemented during the study included: 1. The recipient and employe payrolls were converted to E D P, significantly reducing the workload in the business office. 2. The business office was allowed to function with minimal interference from the courthouse staff. 3. A weekly recipient payroll system was initiated (as a compromise to the recommended daily payroll) . This substantially reduced the amount of County funds expended to provide GA in the interim between monthly payroll dates. 4. The State began providing statistical information to counties, eliminating the hand-counting of cases. 5. Medical cards are being mailed directly to recipients by the State. 6. A receptionist was hired to assist the switchboard operator. . A new control form was implemented to provide an accurate record of contacts made at the reception area. - 214 - r. Present Situation The business office and electronic data processing areas are in a state of change. Any description of the present situation would become obsolete while it was being written. Changes mentioned above are still in effect. Evaluation Progress in converting routine tasks to electronic data — processing has been substantial. The work which remains to be done in these areas will be completed by the acountant consulting firm in the near future. Resistance to the use of E D P has diminished and employe cooperation appears to be assured. The assignment of two people to the reception area has created periods of idle time for one or both of these people. Some routine business office tasks are periodically delegated to the receptionist and switchboard operator. — 215 - Recommendations The recommendations are as follows: 1. That the function of mailing recipient checks be assumed by the State E D P unit based on RS700 information already in storage. This will eliminate the double expense and work involved in storing this information in the Greeley computer system. 2. That the State provide ;counties with all necessary statistical reports based on information already in storage. 3 . That a procedure be developed to simplify payments to Foster Hanes, and the reports based on those payments (social security reports, reports to school districts) . 4. That a copy of the recipient payroll print-out be kept on file in the Master File room as part of the permanent record of each recipient. 5. That re-imbursement of public assistance payrolls by the State be adjusted to coincide with any day of the month chosen by the County as a payday. This will allow the staggering of payroll dates which will relieve peak work- loads for business office employes. Congestion at the Food Stamp office would also be relieved. 6. That the following services be requested from the Greeley computer center (data is already in storage) : a. A listing of those OAP-B recipients who are reaching age 65 and must apply for OAP-A. b. An alphabetical listing of redetermination dates (for use by eligibility technicians). c. A double set of gummed labels provided for use in mailing redetermination notices. - 216 - d. A listing of caseloads by caseworker and geographic area. e. A distribution of reasons for removal of recipients from rolls for use by director in analyzing reasons — for termination. 7. That the above services and the additional services listed below be provided by the State computer center instead of the Greeley computer center. This will eliminate double work and expense. — a. A listing of all children who have reached the age of 16 (and must be in school to remain eligible for — assistance.) b. A listing of all 21-year olds who are no longer eligible for assistance. c. A listing of AND and AB recipients who are reaching age 60 and should possibly apply for OAP_B. — d. The direct mailing to recipients of preprinted redetermination forms. All information is already in storage. Note: This would replace the — suggested method of using gunned labels. 8. That a daily recipient payroll system be installed to — eliminate unnecessary expenditure of County funds for non- reimbursible General Assistance. 9. That all manual recording of information relating to recipient payrolls be eliminated from the business office operation (this would include the Kardex file ) . — - 217 - 10. That'e typing of monthly payrollflased on daily or weekly payrolls) in alphabetical order be eliminated. 11. That the receptionist and the switchboard operator be included in the "flexible staff". Routine work from any division can be brought to the reception area to be done • by either, or both, of the workers in their spare time. 12. That the following procedure for use of geographic codes be adopted: Procedure for Use of Geographic Codes An inordinate amount of Weld County caseworker time is being spent in travel to the homes of recipients in order to fulfill the current home visit requirements. In an effort to alleviate this unnecessary burden on case- - worker time, a procedure has been designed which utilizes a geographic code to group cases by areas. The procedure is as follows: 1. Clerk:typists in the Eligibility Division will enter the geographic code (based on map, See Exhibit xXVII)on the upper right-hand corner of the RS700 copy which is sent to the Greeley computer center. Subsequent changes in a code will be made on+the Master File change form supplied by the computer center. 2. The computer center will provide, 60 days prior to the actual redetermination date: a. An alphabetical list of redetermination due, for use by the eligibility technicians. b. The same list, broken down by geographic areas, to be used by caseworkers for grouping visits to an area.* *The redetermination date is used for this service function because it is the only complete listing of recipients available from E D P. - 218 - n 3. A gummed label (printed in duplicate) showing the name, — address, and household number of each recipient on the list. 4. The complete list of redeterminations due and the duplicate set of gummed labels which match the list, will be utilized — by the eligibility clerk-typists to mail to recipients the notices of redetermination due. 5. The computer center will provide a listing, by caseworker and geographic code, which will be utilized by the case- worker to plan, by area, the required visits in his caseload. — The listing will be essential to the planning of group meetings for adult recipients who live in the same area. — Note: The computer center will provide, as a one-time service, a complete list of the redetermination dates of all recipients broken down by caseworker and geographic area. This list should be carefully reviewed (by a responsible person in each of the casework service units) — to determine if the redetermination date for any recipient can be moved backward or forward in time to permit better grouping of home visits to outlying sparsely populated areas of the County. After the initial screening, each case should be again reviewed, if the recipient moves to an outlying area, — to determine if the move merits a change in redeter- mination date (i.e. is the move permanent and is the — current redetermination date within 30 days of most of the other redetermination dates in that geographic area?) - 219 - /.. r'-,. Exhibit XXVIII a w d U Cel f CU I U O aal N ab . 3 z 0 3 -- N. a, — - _.__.._.� itiCA Cr) CO ID\ GAO I •� a aa _ b \ { p4 a) \ °� ° � °t� \ �. C�jt co NI >1 \ O d a) to 1 ot V .-t N t.)1O w > ul o Clq i5 S " `. j\ N `4° °t 4 .d' I `^ yam! i S8 ! N, S ( 3 J 220 - Exhibit XXVIII Geographic Area Descriptions (continued) — Area 1 - Greeley and immediate area including Evans. Area 2 - Ft. Lupton and immediate area. Area 3 - Portion of the County west of Highway 85 and south of — Highway 66, including Frederick, Firestone, Evanston, and Dacono. Area 4 - Portion of the County west of Highway 85 north of Highway 66, and south of Highway 34, including Gilcrest, and Platteville. Area 5 - Portion of the County west of Highway 85 north of Highway 34 and south of Highway 14, including Windsor and — Severance. Area 6 - Portion cf the County north of Highway 14 and west of paved road running north out of Briggsdale, including Ault, Pierce, Nunn, but not including Briggsdale. Area 7 - Entire area east of paved road running north out of — Briggsdale and the area which would be east of this road if it extended south to road which runs into Barnesville, including Briggsdale, Hereford, Grover, Raymer, and Stoneham. Area 8 - Area bounded on the west by Highway 85 on the north by — Highway 14, on the east by the road (extended south) which runs thru Briggsdale, and on the south by Highway 263, which, if extended east would meet the _ Briggsdale road if it were extended south, including Lucerne, Eaton, Galeton, Gill and Barnesville. - 221 - Exhibit XXVIII (continued) Area 9 - Entire area south of Areas 8 and 7 east of Highway 85, and north of Highway 52 (east of Ft. Lupton) and U S Highway 6, including LaSalle, Kersey, Peckham, and Masters. Area 10- The portion of the County south of Area 9 and east of — Highway 85, including Hudson, Keenesburg and Roggen. 2- 22 Part IX SUPPLY ROOM AND MESSENGER SERVICE - 223 - Supplies and Equipment The Situation at the Beginning of the Study The business office supervisor was responsible for maintaining a supply of forms and equipment. The stock was concentrated in an area behind the reception desk, but other areas (including supervisors' offices) were utilized to store various forms and supplies. Control over the supply situation was not practical because all employes had access to the stock, no records were kept and reorder points were not established. Delivery service was being performed by each department employe including the director. Special trips were made by individual employes with each piece of paper that required delivery anywhere in the welfare building, or to the Island Grove annex. Mail was handled by the director's secretary, and each individual piece was logged in and out. - 224 - • Changes Which Occurred During the Study — Reconmendations that a delivery clerk be hired and a locked supply room be set up were implemented. All mail handling operations were transferred to the delivery — clerk and equipment related to the work was installed in the supply room. This equipment included an electric date-stamp machine and an electric letter opener. The delivery clerk prepared a comprehensive list of supplies and forms stocked in the supply room and set up reorder points on all forms. — Central pickup points were established throughout the building and the delivery clerk followed a regular schedule of pickup and delivery to all offices (including Island Grove) . The — schedule also included, when necessary, stops at the courthouse, doctors offices, attorneys offices, and any specially requested stops. 225 Supply Room Present Situation The supply room has been set up in a small basement room which is locked at all times when the delivery clerk is not present. The key to the room is, however, available from a secretary across the hall; this makes the room accessible to anyone at any time of day. All forms (Federal, State and County) are stocked in this room and an inventory control system is in operation. Miscellaneous supplies, such as file cards, scratch paper, paper clips, are stocked but are not subject to inventory control. The room also contains the postage meter, Xerox machine, electric letter opener and dating machine. Evaluation The supply room is large enough for normal usage, but space could be considered inadequate at peak mailing periods. The inventory control system for forms is adequate; however, the lack of a control on ordering of other supplies is an obstacle to efficient operation. Easy access to the room (anyone may ask for and receive the key) _ makes responsibility for the operation a nebulous thing. The room has become a social gathering place for all employes of the agency, who appear to take advantage of every opportunity to run their own xerox copies, or to rummage through the supplies. - 226 - r• r. — Recommendations The recommendations are as follows: 1. That the key to the supply room be made available only on an emergency basis and that frequent checks be made to — curb abuses of the"emergency clause". 2. That responsibility for maintaining, and authority for ordering, supplies be vested in one person. All requests for supplies (regardless of cost, or source of supply for the item) would be channeled through this person. — 3. That two specific periods be set aside each day for xeroxing. These periods should be set to accommodate the peak periods of copy requests (except that the period from 3 - 4 p.m. should be left open for preparing outgoing mail.) — 4. That an inventory control system be set up for all items stocked in the room. — 5. That the entire stock of the room be checked daily, by the supply room supervisor, to determine which items need to be reordered. — 6. That only authorized personnel be permitted to use the xerox machine. This will prevent misuse of this sensitive — piece of equipment. • 7. That a form (see Exhibit XXI)Obe used for requesting duplicating service. This will standardize the procedure for placing — these orders. - 227 - Exhibit XXIX Request for Duplicating Service No. of copies -" Deliver to: a Xerox (1-15 copies) L7 Ditto (16-500 copies) Q Mimeo (over 500 copies) Note: New forms, or changes on old forms, must be cleared through the Director's Office. - 228 - Messenger Service Present Situation The full-time messenger clerk, and two NYC workers1who spend a total of 3 % hours on the' job, perform the normal duties associated with the messenger job. These duties include picking up mail at the P. 0., sorting, opening and delivering — the mail; making xerox copies, filling supply orders and running emergency errands. Evaluation The normal workload requirements of the messenger clerk position could be handled adequately by one person. The presence of the two youth corps workers serves mainly to — distract the full-time clerk from his duties. Recommendations The recommendations are as follows : — 1. That the messenger clerk be placed under direct super- vision (see page 231 . for duties of this supervisor) of the Business Office supervisor. 2. That extra helpers be assigned to the messenger clerk only as needed, to assist during peak workload periods.The placing of several young people on this job on a regular basis creates a situation in which each youth must appear to be constantly busy, in order to justify his staying on the job. In addition, only one person at a time can work efficiently at certain tasks, while — the others merely impede progress. 229 - 3. That a review be conducted to determine the necessity of certain tasks. For example: the date-stamping of each copy of a manual change is not essential; a date and "time received" indicated on the master file copy is sufficient. 4. That a list of "do's and don't's" of the job be prepared and posted in the supply room for easy referral. This list should include what items of mail must have special handling, i.e. date stamped on a certain part of the . letter, or always left in the envelope, etc. 230 - Duties of Supply Room/Delivery Clerk Supervisor — 1. Oversee the opening, sorting and delivery of mail (external or internal correspondence).2. Maintain an adequate supply of each item stocked in the supply room. 3. Order all regular supplies and place the orders for special — requests, within the guidelines of agency policy. 4. Be responsible for operation of the postage meter. S. Set up the schedule for the messenger clerk, and maintain close supervision to insure proper service is being given. 6. Make arrangements for temporary help, to assist the delivery — clerk at peak work periods. 7. Be responsible for training a substitute for the delivery clerk, so that there will be no gaps in the service. 8. Maintain all inventory records required for the entire agency. 9. Arrange for, and keep record of, equipment maintenance — throughout the agency. - 231 - - r., Own Ams — Part X COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - - 232 Introduction The subject of community involvement in assisting individuals, families and groups to solve their existing or emerging needs opens a broad spectrum of potential activities. It also raises philosophic questions as to the proper approach to assisting those who need assistance: a. Should a governmental agency be charged with the broad program? b. Should private or quasi-public organizations provide the program or programs? c. Is it more desirable that a coordinated effort of governmental, private and quasi-public agencies be developed.to meet human needs? This part of the report, while not attempting to provide detailed — analyses and recommendations, suggests a possible approach to appropriate community involvement in assisting people in Weld County to meet their needs. - 233 - Situation at the Beginning of the Study At the beginning of the study, the situation was as follows ; 1. A welfare advisory committee was appointed. The committee was advisory to the Board of County Commissioners, and was also assigned the responsibility of working with the — administration of the department and the consultant in determining the real need for welfare programs. 2. A community and voluntary service program had not been organized. 3. The Greeley Information and Referral Agency (GIRA) was _ active, but there was little liaison with the County Department of Public Welfare. — 4. A "sounding board" Committee of County Welfare Department Employes was appointed to work with the consultant in developing new ideas and in testing ideas proposed by the _ consultant. 5. There was only limited information available to the public relative to overall social services available in the community. _ 234 - Changes During the Study During the course of the study, the following occurred: 1. Meetings were held with the advisory committee. Members were informed as to progress of the study, recommendations being developed, and their suggestions and reactions were received. 2. Meetings were held with the "Sounding Board" of the department staff. New ideas were prepared and tested, and problems in implementing recommendations were discussed. * 3. The consultant conferred with LIRA, and was informed of �- activities and functions of that organization. 4. Recommendations were made which would: a. Result in GIRA's serving as a coordinator of volunteer activity in the County. b. Provide a community services coordinator on the staff of the County Welfare Department. c. Increase the staff of GIRA for the purpose of implementing the coordinaton, function. d. More adequately fund. LIRA from United Way. e. Establish a public information program to develop awareness of services available in the County. f. Have LIRA provide 24-hour per day telephone service. g. Provide that service needs of welfare recipients be met as much as possible by volunteers. h. Provide that GIRA programs be expanded. i. Provide that new programs and projects be considered as they come to the attention of LIRA. *Greeley Information and Referral Agency - 235 - The name of the information and referral agency has been —' changed to Weld County Information and Referral Agency (WIRA) to reflect its move to more adequate quarters and expanded program. 5. Staff of the County Welfare Department began the process of developing a voluntary program to work in conjunction with the Department. - 236 - Evaluation The evaluation is as follows : 1. An Advisory Committee, to advise the Board of County Commissioners on social and welfare needs in the County, will be continually beneficial. The committee, if it represents a cross-section of the County community will: a. Provide the Board with information as to appropriate needs in the County. b. Serve as a sounding board for the Board when new or revised policies are being considered. c. Provide balanced feed-back to the Board in responding to needs as expressed by special interest groups. 2. The Sounding Board of the staff will have served its intended purpose upon completion of this study. 3. There is a continuing need to provide a central referral information and voluntary agency in the County . As social awareness of the population continues to increase, the need for a central "clearing-house" of social services will intensify. In determining the assignment of responsibility for this central information, referral and voluntary activity function, the following must be considered: a. Individuals often hesitate to volunteer services to tax- supported agencies. b. The development and administration of a volunteer program in the welfare department would place substantial additional demands on the Department's staff. c. A well-rounded and coordinated effort in meeting needs of people requires all of the private, quasi-public and public resources available in the community. - 237 - 4. The development and implementation of a broad voluntary program in the County Department, in addition to substantial demands on Department staff, may: a. Develop a spirit of competition, rather than cooperation,with other existing volunteer agencies. b. Serve only a limited segment of those having needs in the County. c. Duplicate services of other social agencies. d. Tend to further isolate those served by welfare from — the general community. - 238 - Recommendations The recommendations are as follows: 1. That a concerted effort be made to involve the total County community in meeting the needs of people. 2. That the Advisory Committee be continued for the purpose of advising the County Board of Welfare and its administration. 3. That the Advisory Committee membership consist of broad representation from the County community. Membership should represent the following: a. Labor b. Management c. Proprietorship business — d. Agriculture e. Minorities f_ Recipients of welfare g. Churches h. Institutions: (1) Governmental, as appropriate. (2) Quasi public, as United Way organizations. i. Civic and fraternal organizations j. Schools (school district, college and university) 4. That the broad responsibilities for coordination, information and referral of volunteer and community resources be assigned to the Weld County Information and Referral Agency. (This may require some financial support from the County as a member agency) . 239 • 5. That a Coordinator of Community and Voluntary services be — provided on the staff of the County Welfare Department, and assigned to the Intake Division. Duties would include: — a. Development and maintenance of effective and appropriate liaison with WIRA. b. Serving as a source of information for and liaison — between community resources and the caseworker and technician staff of the Department. c. Coordinating the volunteer program of the Department. This would include reviewing and screening applicant volunteers for specific needs for assistance in categorical — programs, such as child welfare, where other organizations are not capable of providing volunteer assistance to client needs. 6. That a public information program be established and maintained by WIRA to: a. Bring about an awareness in groups and organizations that their services and resources can be utilized. by — WIRA, and that they can make referrals of needs to WIRA. b. Inform citizens of the community of resources available through WIRA. - 240 - • Part XI WORK STANDARDS and STAFF REQUIREMENTS - 241 - • Introduction This part of the report, utilizing times required for performing parts or elements of a function and other appropriate standards, determines the recommended staffing for 1972. The number of personnel and assignment of that personnel to — units or divisions of the Department in the future, will depend upon levels of service to be provided, impact of the "Offer of Services" delivery system for providing social services, change in welfare programs and policies, and results of supervision at the division and unit levels of the organization. Since a consultant in electronic data processing is developing system, procedure and functional assignments in the Business Office, this report does not provide recommended changes in staffing in that office. A flexible staffing pattern is an essential ingredient in the efficient operation of any organization which experiences fluctuations in workload. The welfare department workload is char_ acteristic of the low-high pattern. To compensate for this fluctuation, and also to provide a pool of workers to fill in on vacations and sick leave, a permanent "floating staff" should be designated from among existing staff. 242 - Intake Services — The recommendations for staffing of the Intake Division are based upon the following: 1. That highly qualified caseworkers will be assigned to Intake. _ 2. That there will be basic work specialization of Intake workers, but all workers will be qualified and will serve cases in — all categories as the situation demands. 3 . That cases will be screened continuously to assure that workers are not carrying minimum service cases. 4. Potential applicants will be counseled and, if the Department does not have available a program or programs to serve their — needs, they will not be accepted as cases, but will be referred to othf.r appropriate agencies. 5. That the intake function for all divisions of the Department ^ will be assigned to the Intake Division.* 6. That clerical functions will be assigned to clerical positions to relieve caseworkers of those tasks. 7. A position of Volunteer Services Coordinator will be provided in the Division to coordinate community services resources — available through WIRA, and to develop a limited, specialist- type volunteer program for the Welfare Department. 8. One clerical position can serve the needs of 5 caseworkers, if there are available "floater" positions in the Department for meeting peak loads and to fill in for leave time and at other times when the assigned clerical person is away from the desk. — *Except adoptions and relinquishments. 243 - Intake Work...oad* June Applications 145 Inquiries 20 20 Analysis and Projection of Workload Due to the late implementation of the Intake Division, and since all intake functions have not been assigned to that Division, information is not available which would permit determination of the real workload in Intake. However, based upon proportion of cases which are designated as intensive service cases in the other divisions, projected workload may be determined. That projection will be based upon the following: 1. Since new applicants are experiencing crisis needs, a higher portion of cases at intake will require intensive or short-term service. 2. Intensive caseloads in the Adult Services Division and Family and Children's Services Division are as follows: Adult Services : 2,414 total cases 104 intensive = 4% Family and Children's Services 1,775 total cases 698 intensive and short-term = 40% Total Cases, both divisions: 4,189 Total Intensive and _ Short-term Service: 802 Percent Intensive Service: 19% of all cases are at intensive service level 3. Until additional information is available, assume that 30% of applications are determined to be intensive or short- term service cases. *May and June, 1971, records of the Department inquiries are an average for the two months. - 244 - Time and Worker requirements for Intake Average of May and June Applicants = 165 applications per month. Intake Interview 45 minutes Case Recording 15 minutes _ Total time per 60 minutes or 1 hour application 165 interviews @ 1 hour = 165 hours/month (The initial interview is considered as a part of the case — service, so no additional caseworker time is required when determining staff needs) Case Service 30% of cases at intake will be at intensive service level. 30% x 165 = 50 service cases per month. In three months, intensive caseload will = 150 cases Service caseload should remain at that level due to 90-day limit in Intake Service. @ 30 service cases per worker, caseworkers required = 5 Summary - Intake Staff Requirements Supervisor 1 Volunteer Services Coordinator 1 Caseworkers 5 Clerk-typist 1 (Does not include switchboard or receptionist) Total staff 8 - 245 - Family and Children's Services The staffing recommendations for the Family and Children's Services Division are based upon: 1. Merging or consolidation of the units of the division at one location and under one division supervisor. 2. Case specialization will exist in the following categories: a. Foster Home and Day Care Home licensing and supervision. b. Adoptive services. • e. Relinquishment services. _ 3. Cases will periodically be evaluated and designated (by the supervisor) as intensive or minimum service cases. 4. Adequate and effective supervision will be exercised to assure management of the Family and 'Children services program. 5. Eligibility and Intake functions will be carried out in those respective divisions.* 6. Clerical personnel will be provided to minimize or eliminate caseworkers performing clerical level work. 7. Forms will be utilized to minimize dictation except in cases in child welfare where dictation is required by the particular situation in cases. Forms are particularly appropriate in Foster Homes, Day Care Homes, relinquishments and adoptions. *Except adoptions and relinquistments intake. 246 - 8. One clerical position can serve the needs of — approximately S caseworkers, if there are available "floater" positions in the Department for meeting — peak loads and to fill in for leave time and at other times when the assigned clerical person is away from the desk. — 9. Since the immediate crisis needs of intensive cases will be served at Intake, a substantial portion of — cases will be stabilized and will require less intensive service, or may be classified as minimum service, when they reach the district caseworker. — 10. Continued screening of cases and the accepting of applications only for those cases which can be served — by programs of the Department will eliminate "non- serviceable" cases from the apparent caseload and, in effect, reduce the total caseload. — 11. General caseworkers (other than adoptive, relinquish- ment and foster home) will carry a balanced caseload — of intensive, short-term and minimum service cases. Each general Family and Children's caseworker, for example, may be assigned 22 intensive, 20 short-term, and 70 minimum service cases. 12. Additional Homemakers will assist the casework process — and avoid other potential welfare costs. - 247 - Category Family & Children Services Caseload Total Intensive Svc. Minimum Svc: ADC-ADCU 1,375 278 1, 097 _ & WIN Child Welfare 400 80 (est.) 320 (est.) Foster Homes 101(1971) (short-term) Day Care Homes 60(1970) Time and Worker Requirements for Minimum Service Cases ADC-WIN. Once per year (annual) home visit required, 7 per day * 1097 cases @ 7 per day = 157 man days Allow 15% loss for leave time, days off 24 man days Allow 20% for loss of efficiency 31 man days Short-term service, assume 20% of 1097 minimum service eases will require 2 additional visits per year .20 x 1097 x 2 x 1 hr. 440 hrs. = 63 man days Total 275 man days Child Welfare Assume average of six (6) contacts per year per case (some short-term services) for 320 cases : 1920 contacts @ 2 hrs. per contact* = 3840 hrs./year or 550 man days Allow 15% for leave and days off 83 man days Allow 20% for loss of efficiency 110 man days Total 743 man days Total work days, minimum service cases 1018 C� 260 work days/employe = 4 workers *See Interim Report No. 2, contact times were as follows: Home visit 28 min. annual visit 30 min. Court appearance 51 min. Collateral contacts 48 min. - 248 - Time and Worker Requirements for Intensive Service Cases — Intensive Service Cases Family Services 278 Child Welfare 80 Total Intensive 358 Cases — 30 cases/caseworker*, 358 cases will necessitate 12 caseworkers Adoption Services — Adoption studies for 3 months, 1971: April 2 May 6 — June 8 Total 16 = 5+ studies per month Department standards provide that each caseworker should — process 6 adoptive studies per month. Therefore, caseworkers required = 1 Relinquishments The relinquishment workload for the period January through June, 1971, was as follows : — Total Per Mo. Unwed mothers counselled 40 7 Children relinquished 20(approx) 3+ *T.L. 1122, A_7111.1 — _ 249 - ,� One caseworker is adequately processing relinquishments at the present time. Therefore, one caseworker is adequate for this function. (In case of peak loads in relinquishment and adoption, the adoptive services and relinquishment caseworkers should cooperate in assisting each other as appropriate.) Caseworker required = 1 Foster, Day Care and Group Homes Number of homes to license and supervise: Foster homes 101 • Day care 60 Group homes 1 162 homes Times required: Re-evaluation of Foster Home 25 min. Report on evaluation _ office ' 30 min. Travel 30 min. Total time per re-evaluation 85 min. (Use l'k hrs.) @ 101 foster homes @ l2 hrs. = 152 hrs./yr. Initial Evaluation of Foster Homes Evaluation time 55 min. Report-in office 30 min. Travel 30 min. Total time per entire evaluation 115 min. (Use 2 hrs.) April through July, 1971, there was an average of 7 initial evaluations per month. @ 7 per mo. x 2 hrs. x 12 mos. = 168 hrs/yr. _ 250 - Day Care Homes — Number of homes to license and supervise 60 Times Required Re-evaluation of Day Care Homes 20 min. — Report on re-evaluation 15 min. Travel 30 min. — Total time required 65 min. per — day care home/yr. (Use 1 hr.) — 60 homes @ 1 hr. = 60 hrs. per yr. Initial Evaluation of Day Care Homes — Evaluation time 30 min. Report on evaluation 20 min. Travel 30 min. — Total time per evaluation 80 min. @ 4 initial evaluations per month, 48 per year 48 x 80 = 3840 minutes, or 64 hrs. per yr. Group Home Group conference 11 hrs/wk. Individual conferences 11/2 hrs/wk. — Total 3 hrs/wk. — or 156 hrs/per yr. - 251 - Total time required, foster, day care and group homes 1 year: Re-evaluation of foster home 152 hrs. Initial evaluation of foster home 168 hrs. Re-evaluation of day care home 60 hrs. "- Initial evaluation of day care home 64 hrs. Group home 156 hrs. Total evaluation time per year 600 hrs. Additional time is required for counselling foster parents, day care mothers, counselling children in the homes, conferring with caseworkers regarding placements in homes, and group meetings of mothers. Worker required 1 - 252 - Summary - Family and Children*s Services Staff Requirements Division Supervisor 1 Unit Supervisors (1/5 caseworkers ) 4 Caseworkers Minimum Service equivalent 4 caseworkers Intensive Service equivalent — Family Services and Child Welfare 12 caseworkers Adoption Service 1 caseworker Relinquishments 1 caseworker Foster, day care and group homes 1 caseworker — Total caseworkers indicated 19 Add one caseworker for potential additional caseload 1 Total recommended caseworkers 20 Homemakers 3 Clerk-typists 5 Total Staff Recommended 33 — - 253 - � � �. ' Adult Services The following recommendations in the Adult Services Division ^ staffing are based upon: _ 1. The times required for annual visits to minimum service cases. These visits, in some instances, will be carried — out in group meetings in districts within the County by caseworkers cvho carry intensive and minimLun service caseloads and who serve in the cor�enunity service program. _ 2. Each caseworker vaill carzy a balanced caseload of intensive and minimum sexvice cases. There will be no — "pool" or unassigned cases. Each worker, for example, may be assigned approx3mately 30 intensive service cases, anf. 500 minimum sexvice cases. _ 3. Case specialization will be exerciaed only for medical services. — 4. Adequate and effective supervision will be exercised to assure management of the adult sexvices program. 5. The Eligibility and Intake funetions will be carried out by Eligibility and Intake Divisions. 6. Clerical personnel will be provided to minimize or — eliminate caseworkers doing clerical-level work. :. Fozms designed to minimize dictation will reduce the typing and clerical workload. 8. One clerical position can serve a unit of 5 caseworkers, if there are available "floater" clerical po�itions to fill — in at times of peak load, for leave times, and other times when the assigned clerical person is away from the desk. - 254 - -. �.. - 9. Nursing home residents on public assistance rolls "' will receive annual visits as other adult cases or on an "as requested" basis if designated as minimum service ^ cases. _ 10. The supervisor will periodically review and evaluate caseloads for the purpose of des3gnating as intensive — or minimum service cases. - 255 - - ^. ,-., '" Caseload' ' Intensive Minimum Service Adult Services Total Service (Short-tezm Service*) 6eneral caseload 1857 74 17S3 (OAP,AND) (49)* Medical Service 557 30(est) 527 Intensive Service Cases Ceneral Caseload 74 .— Short-teYm Service 49 Total Genex�al —I'L cases Total Medical 30 cases Minimiun Service Cases General 1783 _ Medical 527 _ Total 2310 Time and Workers for Minimwn Service Cases — Annual Visits _ 7 per day (group visits will increase the effective visits per day) 2310 C 7 visits per day = 330 man days Allow 15% loss for days off, leave, etc. 50 man days Allow 20% loss of efficiency 66 man days — Total 446 man days C 260 work days/yr = 1.75 workers required _ (use 2) " *Currently receiving short-teYrn, intensive-type service. tl) See Interim Report No. 2. - 256 - .-1 .-1 — Time and Workers for Intensive Service Cases — Intensive Sexvice Cases General Cases 123 Medical Cases 30 Total cases 153 Transmittal Letter No. 1122, re: A-7-111.1, establishes — a maximum caseload of 90 when providing both intensive and supportive service. Therefore, in adult categories, a caseworker providir� intensive serv3ces should be able to provide those services to a maximum of 60 cases. � 6� cases/caseworker, 153 cases will necessitate — 2.55 caseworkers. Total equivalent workers required: Nfinimum Sexvice 1.75 worlcers Intensive Sexvice 2.55 workers 4.3� workers (use 5 workers) Staff level has been detennined on the level of service -' presently being provided in the I:dult Division. If the level of sexvices required 'rises,on the basis of caide acceptance of the "Offer of Services", a laxger staff would _ be required in the Adult Division. - 257 - — r.. r- . " Homemaker 3ervice The present staff consists of S homemakers in adult services. (Three of the five were originally in the OEO _ program, serving non-PA cases.) Since homemaker service needs in adult cases are less severe than in family cases, " it is recommended that the staffing level be reduced by transferring one homemaker to Family Services, ancl that one caseworker be assi�ned as the primary supervisor of the _ homemakers, in conjunetion cvith the community sexvices program, This caseworker should carry the cases who are — receiving homemaker services. ... Cor�nunity Services Asswning that the community services program continues � to operate after Jarruary 1, 1972 (See Part IV , Adult Sexvices), the responsibility of this program should be assigned to a caseworl<er. It is reeommended ^ that the caseworker who is responsible for supervision of homemakers be assigned, also, the — convnunity services program. - 258 - -� r. - Swmnaxy _ Adult Services Staff Reguirements _ 5lipervisor 1 Caseworkers 8* — Clerk-typist 1 Homemakers 4 Total 14 positions �The 8 caseworkers would be assigned primary responsibilities as � follows: 1 - Medical services 1 - Homemakers, Community Sexvice — 4 - General Casecoork 2 - General Casework to absorb additional service load anticipated to result from "Offer of Services". Supervisory � — clerical personnel would have to be expanded proportiona.tely. - 259 - �. r`� • � .- ✓'�. �- Eligibility and Food Stamps The recormnendations for staffin� of the Eligibility and ^ Food Stamp Division are based upon: ^ l. Combining of the eligibility and food stamp sales units into one division. �- 2. Providin� some flexibility in assignments of the staff, to meet peal< loads. ^ 3. Providing two c•aorking supervisors under the division supervisor: a. A Senior Eligibility Technician to serve as a — cvorking supervisor of the eligibil3.ty unit- detexmination and redetezmination. ^ b. A Fcad Stamp Cashier to serve as a working supervisor of the food stamp sales funetian, in accordance with the position description and — specifications of the State Merit System. 4. Creation of a new class of work - clerk_cashier � for food stamp sales. There is not an adequate position description in tlie merit system at present. - 260 _ ,^, � � � ,"'1 � Eli�ibility Time Requirements -. New Applicants Intervieca client 10 min. � Review application and detezmine eligibility 15 min. Collateral contacts 30 min. _ Total Time 55 min. (Use 1 hr.) 165 new applicants per month*, � 1 hr. each, 12 months/yr. 1980 hrs/yr. — Redetexminations - General Data Eligibility Reviecv - Average Range 4 - 11 min. � (i]se 7 min.j Client in office - 8 min/call (Est. 3% of cases) — Client contact in field - 45 min/contact (Est. 2% of cases) (10% of adults) _ Collatei^al contacts - 15 min/occurrences (Est. -10% bf cases) (includes sending fonn letters, etc.� ADC - 2 redetexminations/yr., 1152 current cases Time for; Eligibility Revieca 7 min. x 1152 x 2 = 16,128 min. Client in office 8 min. x 1152 x 2 x .03 = 553 min. _ Client con-tact in field 45 min. x 1152 x 2 x .02 = 2074 min. ^ Collateral contacts 15 min. x 1152 x 2 x .10 = 3456 min, Total ADC Redetermination Time 22,211 min. ^ = 370 hrs. *See Intake staffing for new applicants. � - 261 - ^ � � . _ .-. ^ WIN-ADCU - 4 redetexminations/yr., 223 current cases _ Time for: Eligibility review 7 min. x 223 x 4 = 6,21!�4: min. " Client in office 8 min. x 223 x 4 x .03 = 214 min. Collateral Contacts 15 min. x 223 x 4 x .10 = 1338 min. r Total ADCU Redetexmination Time 7,796 min. _ = 130 hrs,lyr. QAP, AND, AB, TB - redetexmination, per yr. 2414 cases " Time for: Fligibility review 7 min. x 2414 = 16, 898 min. ^ CZient in office 8 min. x 2414 x .03 = 5,794 min. Client Contact . in field 45 min. x 2414 x .10 = 10,863 min. Collateral Contacts 15 min. x 2414 x .OS = 1, 810 min. Total Adult Redetexmi.nation Time 35,365 min. _ = 589 hours/yr. £ood Stamps — New certifications 100 per month (est.) Time for: Processing application with client 30 mi.n. x 1�0 x 12 = 36, 000 min. = 600 hrs. Recertifications Non PA - 650 per mo. (approx. '� of 1290 cases) — Time for processing application 650 x 15 x 12 = 117, 000 min. = 1, 950 hrs. ^ PA - 90 per mo'. (appmx. 10% of 971 cases) Time for processin; 90 x 15 x 12 = 1620 mi.n. ^ =� 270 hrs. _ 262 - � . . ,-� _ Summaxy _ Time and Staff Requirements _ Eligibility Technicians —' Eligibil.ity Review applications; new 1980 hrs/yr. Eligibility review-redetexminations A� 370 hrs/yr. _. WIN ADCU Z30 hrs/yr. Adult 589 hrs/yr. Food Stamp_new certifications 50v hrs/yr, Food Stamp-recertification ^ Non PA 1950 hrs/yr. _ PA 270 hrs/yr. Technician Time 58E9 hrs/yr. Additional activities, — filing, letters, mailing � 20% 1173 hrs/yr. Tech Time 7067 hrs/yr. � Add for leave time, holidays 15% 1060 hrs/yr. Add for loss of efficiency 20% 1413 hrs/yr. Total time for technicians 9540 hrs/yr. ^ @ 1820 hrs/yr./techn:i.cian 5.2 technicians required (For filling in at peak loads in eligibility, provide additional technician _ use G) — In addition, provide a Senior Eligibility Technician to sexve as a working supervisor, under the Division Sliper_ visor. - 263 - — �', . . .-, " Food 5tamp Sales and P.eporting _ 2526 recipients certified/mo. — Time for.issue of stamps 10 min. x 2526 x 12 = 303,120 min/yr. _ = S050 hrs/yr. Time for reporting, daily balancis� 3 hrs/day = 750 hrs/yr. " Time for sales and reporting — procedures 5800 hrs/yr. _ Add for leave, holidays, etc. 15% S70 hrs/yr. Total time for sales 6670 hrs/yr. @ 1820 hrs/yr/employe 3.7 employes required Resource Investigation Use 4* A Resource Investigator has recently been appointed. — The need for adcl�itional personnel in this funetion will be determined upon the findings of the incumbent. If results warrant, an adclitional irnestigator may be necessary in the future. ATo consist of 1 Cashier (as defined by Merit Sy�stem) to be working .. si�.pervisor of sales, 2 clerk-cashiers (new job descriptions, one clerk-typist. - 264 - � , . ... - Eligibility Clerical — To serve 6 eligibility technicians, clerk typists C� 1 cler]<-typist/2 technicians, 3 required Eligibility _ Food Stamp Staff Summary Supervisor 1 — Senior Eligibility Technician 1 (working supexvisor) _ Eligibi.lity Technicians 6 Clerk-typists 5** Food Stamp Cashier 1 (working supervisor) Clerk-Cashier* 2 — Resource Investigator 1 17 *A new recommended position classification. **Four normally required. Provide one additional as a "floater" position to fill in for peak loads in parts of the division. — - 265 - � � ,-� . � i—. ._ Summary of Recommended Staff-1972 ^ Administration Direetor 1 Assistant Director 1 " Administrative Secretary 1 Senior Clerlc-Steno 1 4 — Intake Division Supervisor 1 Volunteer Services Coordinator 1 Caseworkers 5 Clerk-Typist 1 8 Family and Childrens Service Division " Division Supervisor 1 Casework Supervisor 4 Caseworkers 20 ... Clerk-Typist 5 Homemakers 3 33 Adult Services Division — Slipervisor 1 Caseworkers 8 Clerk-Typist 1 — Homemakers 4 14 Eligibility & Food Stam�s IIivision SLipervisor, Ihvision 1 � Senior Eligibility Technician 1 Eligibility Technicians 6 Clerk-Typist 5 Food Stamp Cashier 1 � Clerk-Cashier Z Resoume Investigator 1 17 ^ Business Office� Business 0 ice Supervisor 1 Clerk-Typist II z ... Clerk-Typist III Z Receptionist 1 Switchboard Operator 1 Clerlc-Typist 1 '- Messenger & S�pply Clerk 1 Clerk (Master File) 1 10 — Total recor�enended staff 86 ^ *Final recorrnnendations will be made by EDP Consultant - 266 - .. ^ Comparison of � Recommended' Staff " for Weld County Departrnent of Public Welfare �l) C�) �3) � ftinetional 19�0 Recommended Recommended Area Staff T71 Staff T72 Staff Eligi i ity & Food Stamps — Supervisors 1 2 1 Professionals 1 1 0 Clerical 6 7 8 — Sr. Eligibility Tech. 1 Eligibility Tech. 6 Resource Investigator 1 _ Intake Supervisors 1 1 1 Caseworkers 3 4 5 — Volunteer Sves. Coordinator 0 0 1 Clerical 1 1 1 Adult Division ^ Supervisors 1 1 1 Professionals 5 7 8 ._ Clerical 5 5 1 Homemakers 4 Adult Medical -' Pro�onal 2 2 Clerical 1 1 Family & Childrens Services ^ Supervisors 4 6 5 Professionals 13 27 20 _ Clerical 4 ].1 5 Homemakers 3 Childrens 5ervice -' Supervisors 1 2 Professionals 11 13 Clerical 2 3 � Business Office Clerical 8 6 9* Supervisor 1 � Administration Pro essiona 3 1 2 ^ Clerical 3 1 2 Homemakers , 2 5 Totals 78 86 86 *Includes central file, Reception, Stvitchboard and 5lipply and Delivery Clerk. (1) Distribution of staff by funetional areas as they existed in 1970. (2) Recommended distribution of staff reflecting separation of eligibility and service funetions. (3) Recorrnnended distribution of staff by recommended functional ar.eas & reflecting recortvnended positions within those ax�eas. _ - 267 - _ --� . . �. � Part XII SPACE ALLOC�TION "" and USE - 268 - _ r-� . . r-� Introduction During the study, efforts were made to utilize available space to the best advantage. These efforts were hindered by the state — of change which contirrues to characterize welfare programs. Utilization of space is influenced by the organizational structure, classes of work, work flosa and rnimber of gersonnel. New space — allocations were necessitated throughout the study in an effort to achieve the goal of maximum output by each funetional area of work. — Ehture space needs are part of a study currently being conducted for the Weld County Board of Canmissioners. The study may indicate a need to consolidate all social agencies in one _ facility. This would include such services as mental health, public health, probation, vocational rehabilitation, the volunteer — service agency and other related functions, which are currently scattered throughout the County. This would pexmit coordination of utilization of the total social services available in the _ County. Provision of one central facility for all cvelfare funetions would permit more effective opex�ation of the overall welfare — funetion. - 269 - .—. . , -� — The Situation at the Beginning of the Study The situation in February, 1970 was as follows: — l. gnployes were not grouped by funetional area. Some functions were distributed among all three floors of the main welfare building. _ 2. Supervisors were isolated from the group they supervised. 3. Clerical help was not available to work units, but was — located in two widely separated "pools". 4. As many as 4 caseworkers were assigned to one small room. S. Case records were not accessible to many caseworkers; some records were located in rooms distant from the case- — workerTs desk. 6. The Food Stamp operation was confined to a small basement room, and clients often filled all available waiting space (including the reception area and hallways) . 7. A small portion of the service staff had moved to Island — Grove. 8. Close-in parking space was not available for the come-and- go work of caseworkers. The prime space was occupied by all-day parkers. 9. Interview rooms were not available to caseworkers. — 10. The employes ' lounge room was a narrow storage area lacki.ng both light and ventilation. 11. Supplies and foxms were scattered throughout the building. 12. Mail handling operations were carried out by a secretaxy. 13. Inactive and closed case records were filed in several _ locations and were out of sequence, even within a location. - 270 - — _ r . . � ^ Char�es Which Occurred IAiring the Study Changes which occurred as a result of recorronendations included: 1. Space soas re-assigned to pexmit oroupir� of related funetions — (eligibility, service, master files, etc.) 2. Caseworkers were assigned (in most instances) to 2-man offices. Other offices were partitioned to provide some privacy. 3. A hasement area was remodeled into foux of£ices. 4. The entire Child Welfare casework unit, supexvisor and — clerical aides, was moved to IsZand Grove. 5. The Food Stamp operation was moved to a leased trailer at Island GY�ove. 6. A proposal was submitted for the creation o£ a branch office in Ft. Lupton. �i review of case incidence had confizmed the _ need for a branch in the southern portion of the County. 7. Close-in parking was reserved for caseworkers and a 2-hour — limit was imposed on street parking in front of the main welfare building to pezmit recipienfi and employe come_and_ go traffic. _ 8. File cabinets were pumhased and case records moved adjacent to caseworkers' desks. 9. Clerical assistance was provided to work units and the "pools" eliminated. 10. Several rooms were designated as interview rooms for use by _ caseworkers. 11. The employes' lounge room was moved to a more adequate, well- — ventilated and cvell-lighted second floor arna. - 271 - .-� . , --� _ 12. A supply room was set up to provide safe and convenient storage of foxms and supplies. 13. The mail handling operation was moved to the supply room, along with duplicating, poatage meter and other equipment. — 14. More adequate file cabinets were purchased for storage of inactive case records and all these records were consolidated in one location. - 272 - _ -� . . �-. ^ Present Situation The present situation includes all the changes noted above, with the following modifications: — 1. S�ne space reassigrnnents were required when an expanded Intake Division was created in July, 1971, 2. ltvo Eligibility Division employes are physically isolated from the rest of the Division. 3. The Ft. Iupton branch office proposal �oas rejected. 4. The agency library has been moved into a romn which can be — locked when not in use. - 273 - .�• . . --. Evaluation T9�e evaluation is as follows: 1. The problem of communication in the Department has been substantially alleviated with the grouping of employes by — funetional activity. 2. Regroupir� of functions has, however, created new problems in the area of cortQnunication. For example: a. The merger of I`amily and Childrens' Services, which is required by State and Federal regulations, cannot be _ effectively achieved while one unit (Child Welfare) is situated at Island Grove and all othe.r units are in the main bui.lding. b. The separarion of eligibility and services poses a unique problem. Communication amor� eligibility persorL�Pi _ is important, hut communication betcveen eligibility and services personnel should be very limited. The main ' building works to the disadvantage of both situations, i.e. 2 of the eligibility staff are isolated from the remainder of the unit, and the physical proximity of all agency _ personnel encourages caseworkers to become involved in eligibility funetions. — 3 . Working conditions have been made more pleasant by re- arrenging use of existing space. Present facilities do not, however, provide adequate opportunity for real improvements _ in the area of working conditions. 4. Equignent and supplies essential to the work of each employe — have been made conveniently available. - 274 - ... .-, . . �. 5. The provision of inessenger service contributes to efficient operation of the Department. 6. Implementation of casework recoimnendations will pexmit — adequate provision of case service throughout the County, reducing the need for a brench office in Ft. Iupton. In view of the potential revision in national welfare programs, this is not the appropriate time to invest in bz�anch facilities in Ft. Iupton. — 7. Location of the Welfare Department and other public health and social servYce organizations in close proximity or in the same facil3ty would pezmi.t more effective utilization and reduetion of duplication of services of all of the appropriate ag�ncies and resources ati•nilable in the County. T;�e — Board of County Commissioners have under way 'a study of space needs of the County. 8. File cabinets used for storage of inactive case records are still inadequate. The ever-changing nature of welfare rolls results in frequent referral to inactive files, the _ majority of which are stored in easily damaged cardboard cabinest. - 275 - � . . --, _ Recorrenendations The recorrenendations are as follows: 1. That the eligibility funetion (except Intake Eligibility) of the pepartment be physically isolated fran the services — funetion. This would be an interim solution in anticipation of a Federal minimwn income program, which would rnmove from counties all the financial aspects of assistance. Local welfare would then become totally sexvices-oriented. 2. That the suggested space assignments (See Exhibit 74CX ) -. related to the above recorrenendation be implemented. 3. That, in the future, a facility be provided which is large — enough to accoimnodate all funetions of the Welfare Department. ?his would be a long-range plan and should include the flexibility necessary to adapt to current _ welfare programs. 4. That consideration be given to locating all social and — health services in the County in close proximity, or in the same facility. S. That metal file cabinets be purchased for storage of _ inactive case records. - 276 - _ -., , . ,-. v ti � � v � � � ax r�i U3 � vy� M f� f+ N O p� � .{� N U 3 N Fx+ �ri y1 � va �.� N U � ' � H O � i ,� . 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Q s'�i +`°+ � � �� � � � U W U � • G �O � 1y T O O O N O Fa U U No v � }+ Sa b0 W � r�'I F�i '1.' �i O •� � � � �-i O ro , a � _ +� � \ T1 U .o � m � a�i � C > Fa N UJ G — O Q � 0�1 Q 0.'� � C c2f � £ N � N F+ � ' F� G �r1 xF+ C A U N �-i �F+ �l UJUV] - Z7Pi - _ .-. . . � _, � � � � � � v U O1 �= U Vl S��+ CV U] �1 ftl O n� c.roi 3 r� c� 3 i� H �G • aJ � al a 9 w � s+ cna � N U 3 � � J •rl V! � � � 1 � � � � W .-I E �S ++ _ � ~ wx � °' ^ C � � ,� '-I .� O '�i � � v a O � '� °�r4 � m � + — .F, cn ,� y � �' ,� � �a x '� cv .7.a c�.� �-+'' � � � v _ � �� a �" � �� � �n m .° w ., .. � � � — v m �� wm � �� \ y � �. .N �:� W � ',,7C • U � � ro 01 m w �a —' `° `d w cn w v v � � v — v � v '� o uo o u `� � v �a — o N {., m m � w c� — p t'� � Fa N -+ ttl O �-i > }� k1A N � — � E UC] � kr � O > � � � • C � � ro O O O � U C.) N N � ti� v �w W �' � u �� v m m°' m N �, � . �� .-°° � v� ro o � ' 'F' m `° s+ N F+ U i-+ C1 }� O � > o+ aGiF+ � � roE � � A I �i .C o bo Cn '�-I � Fx.t � W� W �t"-. 4 a py �� ? N � G O •r1 S� ++ N v cyp O F+ U `cY O w 4 � - 279 - — Part x111 _ FORMS AND PROC�DURES - 280 - - ^, . . .-, Iatroduction _ The fonns and procedures included 3n this part of the. report are related to the total operation of the Department. Those — fozms and procedures which are related to specific areas of operation are included in other parts of the report. A7.1 fotms used in the Aepartrnent were under eonstant review " during the study. Many of the recommendations made in the four interim reports have been implenented. These changes wi11 not be repeated in detail in this report. _ 281 - ... _. Inter-County Transfer of Cases A foxm letter was designed for use in inter-county transfer af infoxmation about a case (See Exhibit X30CI ) . — The letter would eliminate the lengthy correspondence _ necessary to infonn another county about the status of a case. - 282 - _ .-. . . �"�. � INTER-COUNTY TRANSMITTAL Exhibit 7CXXI — T0: County From• County — Re. Name Category House o er Current Payment `� 1he above recipient has resided in your county since and apparently plans to remain. We — ave n oxme e recip ent that the last Qayment we will make will be effective /-7 This is a notice of case transfer. The case record for the above recipient, containing current inforniation, is enclosed. — j7 Please withdraw our request for transfer of the above- named case. The recipient has: _ /-7 Returned to our county. /—,I Been employed. /—I Moved from your county. /_�7: Been found ineligible. — /� Died. /—) Other �� This is a request for a redetermination visit to be made — for us on the ahove-named recipient, who recently moved to your county. Pertinent infoimation on the case is enclosed. �7 ENCIASURES Thank you, gnature an it e Prepare in duplicate; retain copy in originating office. - 283 - •-• _ _ ,•�• _ Expense Account Reports _ The recotmnenda#ion was made that form 5251 be revised (See Exhibit7CXXI�to include as marry Federal reimtatrSible "purposes of travel" as necessary to serve State purposes: ' Caseworkers _ can then enter the name of the town or city and check the appropriate box to indicate why they made a trip. This will "- eliminate the need for typing the report. _ 284 - � r, , r-, ,_ Exhibit 3dCXI2 State of Colorado - Departmerrt of Social Servicea Division of Ptrblic Welfare — County Expense Account Report Name Month _ Section I. own or �, Tame o ea e �te City ++� m Depart. �e d a ings et Meals Per (1) (2) �,x.°1�ai p a & Return Beginn3ng Frsid3ng Mileage No,lAmt Diem — � c°��yp' 4 5 6 8 9 Totals Section II. 1. Total (Cols. (7) and (S) $ State and Federal Taxes are not to be included — 2. Total Mileage , (Col. (6) @ Q per mi�e 3.�Ot er 4. $ — Section III. I hereby certify that this report of my official travel is true and correct. Signed Approved _ _ Title Title _ _ - 285 _ ,—� —• _ Med-9 Procedure .and _ Med-9 Cover tter and Gtiide �for poctor) A cover letter, (See Exhibit XXXTTIJto be used with the [�d-9 _ foxm was designed. The letter includes inforniation which the doctor can use as a guide in filling out the Med-9 for a specific — purpose (AND, WIN, TITLE XIX) . The procedure for handling the Med-9, as well as the AB-5 and AB_8, follows: "" - 286 - - �• • - ,-.. Procedure for Handling Med-9 (Also AB-5 and AB_8) 1. Vouchers wiLl be attached to Med-9's that are taken or mailed to doctors. Vouchers will be supplied to the — eligibility technician or caseworker by the business office supervisor. 2. The Med-9 is routed to the business office upon its return from the doctor. 3. After approval for payment, the Med-9 goes to the master file — clerk for diatribution to the proper caseworker or technician. The Med-9 log now maintained by the master file clerk will be eliminated. 4. In AND cases, the Med-9 and Med_9A, when returned by the 3tate, will go to the �ligibility clerk-typist. The Med-9A will be _ filed in the eligibility record and the Med-9 fonvarded to the Adult Sexvice Division. — 5. The procedure, 1-4 above, will be followed in processing AB-5's and AB-8's. - 287 - �� 1 , /1 � C 0 P Y Weld County — Colorado Office of _ Weld County Public Welfare Greeley, Colo. Dear poctor: The attached MED-9 foan should be filled out with the followinc; _ purpose in mind: �/ This person has applied for Aid to the Needy Disabled. This foxm will be used to help deterniine the extent of disability. — L._7 This person is a recipient of Aid to the Needy Disabled and his continuing disability needs to be evaluated. This foxm will �� — used for that purpose. l_1' This person is entering a nursing home. This foxm will be used _ to detexmine the extent of eare needed. /=/ This person continues in a nursing home and a review of the care needed must be made at this time. Please complete this fonn for — that purpose. C1 This person has applied for assistance with medical care. This _ fonn will be used to deterniine the extent of need for such medical care under Title XIX. � This person has applied for the Work Incentive Program and the �. purpose of this physical exami.nation is to ascertain if the individual is physically able to be placed on a job or in training for a job. — We appreciate your cooperation in completing the forni as quickly as possible and returning the fonn to us by mail. _ Thank you, Weld County Deparbnent of Public Welfare — - 288 - _ ^ . . � Foxms Control I,og _ A foxms Cbritrol Log has been established for the Department. Purpose of"the log is to avoid duplicate efforts in designing — foxms, facilitate ordering and stocking foxms and provide a means of evaluation to eliminate obsolete foxms. The log contains 5tate Department forms as a matter� of referenee. Procedure for Use of 'FoYms Control Log — 1. The log will be maintairmi3 by the supply room supervisor. 2. Proposed forms will be reviewed by the supply room supervisor. to determine if the new foim duplicates or replaces an existing foxm. 3. The director's 3pproval will be necessary for any major — changes or additions to a foxm or the stock of foxms in general use. 4. Revisions to existing foYms will be cleared through the supply room supervisor. A revision date will appear on the foxms. _ 5. All orders for new or existing foxms will be placed by the supply room supervisor. — 6. A Weld County number will be assigned to all local foz+ns approved for use. The numbers will be sequeatial-and reflect a program relationship. .� 289 - � ` � - Change of Address Procedure — 1. The change of address fosm (See E�chibit3IXXI1� is printed in triplicate on NCR paper. It can be initiated by anyone in the Depariaient. _ 2. 19ie original is sent to the I�aster File clerk. 3. The yellow (2nd) copy is sent to the eligibility clerk/typist. a. Eli�ibility clerk=typist types RS700-2. b. RS700-2 sent to business office _ c. Business office fonaards RS700_2 to computer center for keypunching new address into data record. — 4. The pink (3rd) copy is sent to the clerk-typist for the _ casework service unit. a. Clerk-typist notes the change in the case record and — calls caseworker's attention to the change. _ 290 - - ,-� • . � — Exhibit X}IXIV CHANGE OF ADDRESS Date Effective H.H.# Category _ Name Qld MAILING address New MAILING address Residence address (if cli£ferent from above? Original _ Maeter File Clerk Remarka: 2nd Copy - Eligibility Secretary _ 3rd Copy - Services Secretary iv.t ate WCDPW 2_71 - 291 - r-• ' � - Intra_Agency Case Record Transfer Procedure 1. Transferring worker prepares case for transfer and — submits service case record to iirenediate supervisor. 2. Transfer�n�supervisor checks case to see that it is a proper transfer, and in proper order. Transferring _ supervisor fills out Forni [�)E-0S_056. (See F.�chibit}gtXp �ttaches it' to the case record and forwards entire packet to — receivir� supervisor. 3. Receiving supervisor makes assignment to specific worker and signs and dates foxm WE-0S-065, which is removed at this time and distributed as follows : a. First copy to Master File and then to receptionist. -- b. Second copy to eligibility clerk-typist of transferring unit. She elears any tickler files, etc. , pulls ET � case record and foxwards with the transfer foxm to the eligibility clerk-typist af receiv3ng unit. (For transfers between units within a division, eligibility — clerk-typist only makes notations on files) . c. Thircl copy to services clerk-typist of transferring unit. She pulls all applicable file cards and foxwards them with the transfer forni to sexvices clerk-typist of � receiving unit. _ Note: If the case is screened by a unit supervisor and given � to a line supervisor, the unit supervisor may or may not wish to note the transfer and assignment, but she does not have to sign the transfer fozm. The assi�ninQ line — supexvisor assigns the case directly to a worker and signs, dates and distributes the foxms. - 292 _ ,,,,, �„� . , r _ Exhibit XXXV Proposed revision for form ��E-05-056 'uE-0S-056 INTRR-AGcNCY TRANSFER ^ Case Name HH#� Category — Case Transferred To Worker or Givision "" Case Transferred From 'Jorker or Division — Reason Transferring Supervisor approval Uate Aasigned to : _ By Date ! Worker Supervisor 1 . master file & receptionist _ 2. Eligibility clerk-typist 3. Service clerk-typist _ 293 - � ' ' � - Legal Document File A form has been designed* for recording the fact that a legal document exists. This foxm (See Exhibit X?p(VI)would be filed in the case record, but the actual legal papers would — be filed alphabetically in a legal size file cabinet in the master file room. The case record will contain all pertinent facts about legal — actions; if additional detail is required at any one time, the actual legal papers can be requested from the master file clerk. _ :�At the sugges#ion of Mrs_ Cathy Maul, Family Services Caseworlcer. - 294 - _ ,,,� . � � Exhibit }OOCVI LEGAL DOCUMENTS LOG Name Household # Court Date o etrtioner Respon ent Nature o esu t o ^ Action Court Name (s) Name (s) Court Appearance-- # Appearance Appearance Include Action Orders _ I � - I � � 295 - ,. ' ' � - Social Study - Need Evaluation Foxm � A combined social study-service record packet was designed for use in all puBlic assistance case recorcis. The foxm was used on an experimental basis until the new State Depardnent — "Offer of Services" concept was implemented in August, 1971. A sample of the form (the Adult Services version) is included in this report (See ExhibitX70{VITbecause i₹is felt that the — coneept of systematic recording is valid. This conviction is bssed on the following factors: 1. Bulky dictation would be eliminated. 2. The clerical workload is reduced by el3minating lengthy dictation. — 3. A contirruous recorcl of progress in the case is provided. 4. The foxm serves to structure a worker's thinking so that he � can piek out relevant aspects of a case. Selectivity in the use of material is an indication of good professional judgment. — 5. The case record can be judged more objectively when the connotative value of words is 13mited. 6. The fozm provides an objective guide to setting the level of service needed (intensive or minimum) . 7. The form can be used as a compl.ement to the service reporting — fozms required by State and Fedexal agencies. Services are grouped under area headings which match those on the reportix�g foYms. - 296 - _ ,,_, . . ^ Note: Page 1 is a face shee� used at Intake. (See E5chibit IX) �chi.bit X3IXVTI � SS 3 SOCIAL STUDY - NEEL L-'1/ALUATION - CASE nLF:1� I'age 2 Name Category .H.;, _ , Znstructioris Socia status will be evaluated each visit for each service area — using codes: 1=Adequate; 2-Marginal; 3=Inadequate posted in boxea after title. Service Ideeds should be shown by use of "X" in vei-tical column under the date of the visit. �tihen services have been perfozmed, _ use date in vertical column to so indicate. Subheadings in each service area 'will be-ineluded as guides to social status only as part of the original social study. DA E5 F SITS ^ � _ ,cYd i+ C � N � a SERVICE AREA A (In ormation and Re erra Services I. owledge o Resonrces _ Services Needed: referral to, or information on Me ica resources Dentist Doctor — Medicaid - I�dicare Em o ment resources _ - Voc. Rehab. WIN _ NYC Service o anizations GIRF. Salvation F1 urches — Mi. rant Counci Communi_ Center Le a Services — CRIS Other ( ) EducationaZ resources � Vac:Rehah. � t `Speeial Ed. � i _ ?97 _ �-, ' ' ^ - Exhihi•t :OONII (conii.nued) _ � Page 3 v � ro +� a N ++ �, � � SERVICE AREA B (Protective Service) . Capacity to Hand e Own — Affairs Services Needed� — Gliidance in dealing w overnment a encies. Gl�idance in dealing w _ communi Arrange med. or psy. svc- to safe ard client. Arrange guardians ip, — commitment or other placement. Assist c ient to move — if situation is I hazardous. Cooperate and p an w ^ courts on behalf of client. Ot er S�RVIC C ervi ces to ena e persons to remaan in or return to t eir homes or communities) I. Potential cr Suecessful _ I _ Life at Home. IJ. Stabi ity o Residence. III. Adjustment to Living "" Arran ements. IV. Provision of Basic Needs. I I Services Needed: for an �rea C item above. Homemaker re erra . Food Stamp re erral. _ Donate c ot i re erra . Ot er ) V. Client's Feelina of � -' Adequacy. � j � � Use o drugs . omiscuity. Use of alcohol. Out-of_wedlock (pregnancies/birth�) — Homosexuality. _ 29� _ - ^, � � £�Ybit X}dCVII (continued) — ge 4 � ro ._ ++ _ G M '.`. �+ ^ Services Needed- !�}Te p .c ient express _ Conflicta & accept own emotions. Counse i Ot er VI. Marita Fx erience Past (.lxrrent a ions ip — a. Separation a. t�rriage b. Divorced b. Cohabitation c. Widowed c. 5ingle Parent Household _ d. Multiple hEarriages � Sexvices Needed: Marita Counse i � " Re erra or Counse i Ot er — rrest Reco � on- e oruous Driver's c nse Felonious /—/ Suspended ^ Probation /� Revoked Parole -- None Eer�ices Needed• � Con er wit robation Other ( ) — VIII. He p u ness o Availa le Relatives _ Services Needed: Contact i dren or other relatives. -- G�ide client in dealing w/own famil . Ot er — IX. Socia Re ations i s. Services Needed: _ Assign 'visiting coup e" I to widen soc. act. with adults. He p client oose " appro . areas of int. Ot er _ 299 - � ' ' ,-� - bchib� }44N'1I (con�inued) Pa�e 5 — d � � — N � � X. ccessibi ity to 5ervices — Resources. . Neig o 0o Eeonomie Conditions. E C ent rvices I. Jo story F}nployed emP oYe ,� � Never worked. Iacka marketable Can't work. skill. Seasonal worker. Chronically un- — employed. Iacks motivation. Services Needed• " e p c ient ad7ust to retirement. He p c ient enro . in — 'ob t Encourage c ient in re- vivi old skills. _ Ree tooteraen Other i SERVZCE l-.REA E (Health Needs Services I. ysical Condition. I I I � Mobility is adequate. Medica7 Care. � Self_maintenance is adequate. 1. Regular Health-maintenance is adequate. 2. Occasionally Physical Complaints. 3. Refuses 1. Diagnosed 2. Undiagnosed 3. Chronic condition Services Needed• rra e nursing ome care. � Arra e doctor care. _ Arrange or irmnediate corrective med_ & sur;. _ techniques. Provide transportation. — Pub ic Health x`e erral. Ot er , _ 300 - ,� "�` F5chibii Y""VII (continued) " Ea� e 6 v '� _ � ri , ++ — nta Con tion. Cap. to onn mearung Overa Current tl.inetioning: �elationships is nox+nal. a. Noxmal _ Cap. for P�blem solving is b. Psychosis (dia„vnosed) noxmal. c. Retarded (diagnosed) Reaction to stress is nortnal. d. Depressed _ e. Withdx�awn f. Anxiety g. Grief h. Dependent — i. Exploited . . _ - - Services Needed: — Re erra to nta Hea Counse in Ot e r ( ) ` S R C �REA F 4one Mana ement Services . Mana ement o ftxnds. — C roruc FYnancia Dependency Garru.shment Eviction or Shut-off irior PT. case Bankruptcy Second (or more) generation P� case ^- Other Services t�eeded: — oresta vnpen ing financial disaster & stabilize past financial _ patterns. nstruct ons on ow to live within bud et. Ot er SERVICE F�REI G (Homemaking & Housing Services _ _ — I. Housing. Lives aYon�. P4edica Faci ity I3ves with others. a. intern�ediate care ` Residential care. (licensed b. rrursin� home facility) a. Foster family b. Group care _ - 3C1 - � . . ,-•. - �xhibit XXX4+i (Continued) , Page 7 — v m � — H � � Serviaes Needed• Arrange �ner ency ousing. rrange or emexgeneV — utili needs. ' rran�Qe rrursin ome care. � krrange intexmediate or residential care. — Arrange Home er service. I — Other ( ) S R I ducation Services - - I. Se -support Capacity. ` nguage usage is adequate,_ Educationa Leve Attained: Ability to read/write is a. I.ess than Sth grade adequate. b. Sth to 7th grade c. 8th grade — d. 9th grade to llth grade " - e: High school grad. or GED f: Colleoe (1 or more years) _ g. Vocational training Services Needed• � Counseling to accept I situation of permanent disabili Arrange for compl. of — high school education; obtain GED. Referral to other agenc . — Other ( - J OZ _ "' _ r„� • • � �:u,1il1'i )v',}�11 CASE SU[�RY �ge a — Name Date H. H. d� Caseworker 1. If indicated, make adclitional comments on appropriate area (s) of concern: Area Area — Area Area Area _ 2. Brief statement of client (or family) funetioning: — 3. Recommendecl service lev�el: �/intensive /-7supportive j/minimal _ ��3 - Fart XIV REVISIONS IN POLICY AND LEGISLATION _ - 304 - - ,,.� . . ^ Fecommended Revisions in Legislative and Agency Policy Many recomnendations for le�islative or State Department policy chan�es were made during the study. Some rncormnendations, which re�ain their va]a:dity,. are: repeated below, in addition to — current reconmiendations, _ ^ The reconvnendations are: 1. That a standard system for filing in case �records be ' adopted statecaide. This will facilitate processing of inter-counTy transfer cases. ^ 2. That Quality Control proeedures be amended to require that _ only the eligibility case record be sent to the State Departrnent on request. The service case record should remain " in a caseworker's file at all times. 3. That overtime pay be allowed for clerical employes who are ^ responsible for handling peak workloads imposed by State ^, or Federal authorities. 4. That the issuance of all recipient checks be taken over by " the State. All infoxmation required for this takeover is now in the State data bank. Checks could be of uni.forni design with the County name imprinted at the same time the recipient name is imprinted. 5. That partial payments be pernutted when an applicant becomes — eligible for assistance between regular monthly paydays. The issuance of full month checks, regardless of the date � of approval of eligibility, causes haxdship for rncipients w}io find it difficult to budget for irregular payment periods. — - 305 - ,.. � • �. - 6. That the manual requirements for use of fozm ADC_6, Notification to District Attorney Concerning Flbsent Parent, � be amended to allow this foz+n to be signed before, x+ather than after, an applicant for assistance is put on the rolls. 7. That AND cases be evaluated jointly by the exaninin�; — doctor for a physical disability, or the examining psychiatrist for mental disability, and final approval or denial of — e]3.gibility be left to the judgment of the caseworker, based on the medical, social and economic findings. The worker who is familiar with the case and equipped with _ a professional medical opinion will be able to make a valid deeision. Social histories which now accomparry medical "' reports are oft�n misleading, because they do not accurately convey what the worker has observed in his personal contacts ^ with the client. _ 8. That worker participation in a case be limited if the problem itrvolves an area of professional specialization whieh is ^ outside tne scope of workersT training. This would include, among other areas, psychiatric and emotional disorders and marital counseling. _ 9. That (if the applicant is approved as a recipient) the welfare department assume responsibility for seeing that — debts are cleared, either by arranging for a voluntaxy drogping of the assessment, or by obtaining legal aid ^ Ieading to filing of bankruptey for the client. The client _ must be prepared to find his way back. - 306 - _ - .-. � . ..� —' 10. That the direct payment service be broadened to cover a wide variety of expenses foc those recipients who demonstzr�te a laek of capacity to learn money management. _ 11. That arry sexvice provided by a county for another county be ,t�y reimbursed by the county in which the client maintains ' his residence. This, of course, would not apply to legitimate inter-county transfers of cases resulting from a recipient moving from one county to another. _ 12. That the compulsory school attendance age be lowered to age 5. Axmed with this legal tool, caseworkers would be able " to ensure that a child would spend at least a few houxs each day in school, and be exposed to new, more relevant learni.ng experiences. _ 13. Two problems in the State Personne]. Merit System are directly related to the practice of placing prospective employea on ^ a register and then allowing employers to choose only from the top three candidates. These are: a. flnployers outside the metro-Denver area are often forced to hire a person because two of the top three do not wish to relocate. This person may be unacceptable to — the employer, but if he is desperate for help he has no choice but to hire that applicant. Present policy should be interpreted to provide counties outside of inetro- Denver with the top three candidates who are willing to settle in the county doing the hiring. — b. The testing system itself serves to 73mit the choices, even among the top :hree who appear on the register. - 307 - ^' Part XV — PAY SURVEY and PERSONNEL POLICI�S - 309 - - .-, ' ' �. " Ini-roduction This part of the report reviews the findings of a pay survey. Also included are evaluations and recmrnnendations on personnel _ policies of the Department. The poaition descriptions of all employea in the Departrnent were reviewed at the beginning of the study. A second review, — for the current pay survey, covered only those employes whose duties changed substantially durin� the study. The pay options as reco�nended are on a level emnparable to ^ govex7unent and in�stry in the area. Considexetion was given to the present policy of the State Depariment of Social Services r which provides that the choice of options available to counties is limited to present adopted or higher options. - 310 - r-� � � ^ ' Schedule A � Value of Benefits Provided (Exclusive of WorkmenTs Compensation) — Sources ercentage Cities Co orado Bri ton 17.32 ,_ Denver Zz•z8 Fort Collins z6•8� Greeley 22.63 _ Longmont 22.05 Loveland 16.09 Nebraska -' Scottsbluff 19.05 Sidney 20.68 Counties A ams (General) 20.42 Iaramie, Wyo. (Public Welfare) 17'78 Y Weld (General) 21.17 Other Governments tate o Co orado 20.24 � U S Government Zz•3$ Weld County Hospital 23.71 Utilities U- ti'Tity A 19.12 Utility B Z?•O9 "' Schools — Di rst ict No. 6 20.70 Univ. of No. Colo. 20.24 Aims College Z� •2� ` Industrial Survey No. 1 20.92 — Survey No. 2 26.93 Survey No. 3 18 .60 Survey No. 4 14.07 _ Median 20.70 ^ Weld County ��7elfare Depariment Benefits 22.14 Variation from Median +1.44 — - 311 - _ ^ , . ^ "� Schedule B _.. _ , _Comparative DZid-Range Wage Data _ � Clerical nt aries or quiva en s _ Comparable Cities C erk- and Counties Clerk I Typist I Cities Brighton $ 370 - "' Derner 382 $ 410 Fort Collins 406 458 Greeley 382 439 — Longmont 335 350 Loveland 373 408 ^ Nebraska �Scottsbluff - 351 Sidney - 308 Counties �dams (General) 360 390 — Adams (Welfare) 386 405 Boulder (Welfare) 350 367 Iarimer (Welfare) 350 367 _ Morgan ('Welfare) 350 367 Weld ('General) 325 353 ^ Other Government S Government 469 469 Weld County Hospital - 392 .. State of Colorado 379 399 Utilities '^ t�'ITility A 303 311 Utility B 467 484 Schools D�istr3et No. 6 345 354 _ Univ. of No. Colo. 379 399 Aims College 325 340 Industriai �' TSurvey No. 1 41D 410 Survey No. 2 329 _ Survey No. 3 348 370 — Survey No. 4 285 303 Denver Area Survey 416 432 - 312 _ ' ,.� � ' .-. - Schedule B (Contirrued) Monthly Salaries or Equivalents Comparable Cities CTerk- _ and Counties Clerk I Typist I Median $ 365 $ 390 ^ Market Indicated 4th Step� 367 386 Market Indicated Pay Grade* 9 10 Market Indicated � pay gange* 317-425 333-447 Present Pay Grades � Option IV* $ 9 Recatunended Pay Grade** 9 10 Recommended Pay Option*�' IV IV ^ *Refers to State Merit System Compensation Plan 3440-3440.3 ^ effective June, 1971. **Refers to January, 1972 mandatory schedule, based on proposals #2 �% 4 — ado�ted by State Dept. of Social Services. - 313 - _ � . .1. � Schedule C Canparative Mid-Range Wage Data — Clerical _ Monthly Salaries or Equivalents Comparable Cities Clerk-• Acecunting and Counties Steno Clezk " Cities Bri ton $ 440 - Denver 528 $ 592 — Fort Collins 544 544 Greeley 525 494 Longmont 458 458 ^ I,oveland 447 488 Nebraska �c�bluff 406 - "' Sidney 354 370 — Counties � (Genexal) 470 490 Adams (Welfare) 492 598 _ Boulder (Welfare) 447 543 Iarimer (Welfare) 447 543 Morgan (Welfare) 447 543 Weld (General) 398 448 Other Government — vernment 593 664 Weld County Hospital 422 422 State of Colorado 484 509 Utilities �Y Ty A - 465 �- Utility B 513 687 _ Schools istrict No. 6 419 - Univ, of No. Colo. 484 509 Aims College 400 - Tndustrial — �ey�o. 1 440 - Survey No. 2 - 538 Survey No. 3 395 413 _ Sl.irvey No. 4 338 450 - 314 - ..� , •• _ Schedule C (Contirnaed) � Monthly Salaries or Equivalents ^ Comparable Cities Clerk- Accounting _ and Counties Steno : Clerk Median $ 447 $ 509 Market Indicated 4th Step� 447 517 hlarket Indicated t ^ Pay Grade� 13 16 Market Indicated Pay Range* 386-517 447-598 Present Pay Grades, — Option IV* 12 ],7 Recamnended Pay 6x�de** 14 18 Recoirnnended Pay Option�* IV IV — *Refers to State Merit System Compensation Plan 3440-3440.3 effective June, 1971. — +�*Itefers to Jarruary, 1972 mandatory schedule, based on proposals #2 & ' adopted by State Dept. of Social Services. - 315 - - ^ ' ' .-. - Schedule D Comparative blid-Range Wage Data — Social Service and Administration .;,;;, Monthly Salaries or Equiqalenta _ Compara e 1�J71 (.— as�ewo er asewo er Caseworker��o'cial� Counties 0p tion I II III Worker � �I ��— -' 6�— 7 4 �� — Arapahoe III 660 693 764 802 Boulder III 660 693 764 802 Derner IV 693 727 802 842 _ E1 Paso III 660 693 764 802 Jackson III 660 693 764 802 — Jefferson III 660 693 764 802 Iarimer II 628 660 727 764 Logan I 598 628 693 764 _ ASesa I 598 628 693 764 Nbrgan III 660 693 764 802 — Pueblo III 660 693 764 802 Washington II 628 560 727 764 Iaramie (Wyo) n/a 592 639 689 - Median III 660 693 764 802 Weld Present III 6fi0 693 764 SQ.2 Recorranended 4th Step 693 727 S�2 8«2 ltecomnended ** Pay Grade 2Z 23' 2S 26 — �ecommended Pay Option- State Merit Sys.*�a a� III og .III Op .I�I 'dp �'II �Fornierly Child Welfare worker or Caseworl<er IV. - �*Refers to January, 1972 mandatory schedule, based on proposals #�2 & 4 adopted by State TJept. of Social Services. — - 316 - ^ . . ^ - Schedule E Comparative Mid-Range Wage Data _ Social Service and Administration Monthl Salaries or Equivalents Compara e asewor er asewo er st. Co. — Counties tion 51.i v. T Supv. II Director � �— —s��— �s -�r�r— . Arapahoe III 842 928 1075 Boulder III 842 928 1075 _ Denver IV 884 975 1128 E1 Paso III 842 928 1075 — Jackson III 842 928 1075 Jefferson III 842 928 1075 Larimer II 802 884 1023 Logan I 802 842 975 Mesa I 802 842 975 — Moxgan III 842 928 1075 Pueblo III 842 928 1075 Washington II 802 884 1023 Laramie (41yo) n/a 803 _ _ Median III 842 928 1075 — Weld Present III 842 928 1075 _ Recottcnended 4th Step E3u 475 1Z2g Recommended Pay Grade *' 27 29 32 Recormnended Pay Option * State Merit Sys. Qp�.II,'Z. Op: II4 Op. ZII _ �Refers to January, 1972 mandatory schedule, based on proposals #2 & 4 _ adopted by State Dept. of Social Services. - 317 - _ .�. � . � _ Pay Surve and Personnel ' �aluation Data gathered in a survey of the labor marlcet in the greater Greeley area indicate that: 1. The present Merit S�stem pay grades for the key classes — of Clerk I, Clerk-Typist I and Clerk-Steno are lower than the median rate of pay. 2. The present Meri₹ System pay grade for the key class of _ Accounting Clerk is higher than the medi�n rate of pay. 3. The present Merit System pay grades for Social Service, _ Administrative and Technical classes are in line with the median rate of pay. — 4. The current level of benefits provided to employes of the _ Weld County Department of Public Welfare is slightly above the median level of benefits paid. _ 5. The current 35_hour work week for employes of the Weld County Department of Public Welfare does not justify placing any — employes on a higher pay grade, since most survey data is based on a 40-hour week. 6. The adoption of proposals # Z and 4 by the State Department _ of Social Services has, in effect, increased the designated pay grade of most county welfare department — positions. Option III, for example, is identical to old _ Option IV. The new schedules are mandatory in Jarruary, 1972, and a lower (than current) option cannot be chosen. _ 7. The pay survey reflects current wage data; pay increases which might occur before Jairuaxy 1, 1972 cannot be " anticipated. - 318 - � ' � � - 8. The State Merit System does not include a position description or classification for Clerk-Cashier in Food Stamp sales. — 9. The pay mlated to the responsibilities of the Food Stamp Cashier appears to be low. 10. A new promotional exam policy provides the opporivnity for qualified employes within the Department to move into higher job classifications. This should provide proper — inducement to employes to remain with the ageney and recvard them for good job perfoxmance. 11. Personnel funetions are assigned to the office of the Direcior. . 12. F]nploye evaluations are the responsibility of unit super- visors, subject to review by the division supervisor. — 13. Employes who show initiative are often given additional duties with no increase in pay. 14. The State Merit System does not include a position des- eription for a Homemaker Aide. This is a position for which man�� ADC mothers would qualify. The Aide — could, after a year's service, take the Homemaker exari. 15. The workload of all county welfare employes is cyclical in nature. This characteristic is due, in part, to the fluctuation in caseloads and in part to non-predictable paper-shufflin� emergencies. _ Demands on technical and secret2rial employes are more predictable than demands on professionals. The emergency paper-shuffling requirements place an almost impossible demand on technical and secretarial employes at certain critical periods. _ - 319 - - ^ � ' .� _ Recomnendations The recortanendations are as follows : — 1. That all clerical and stenographic employes (Schedule B of the State Merit System) be assigned to pay grades of the current Option IV. _ 2. That all administrative, social service and techni.cal employes (Schedule A of the State Merit System) be — assid ed pay grades of the current Option III. 3. That no change in employe benefits be made at this time. 4. That a position of Clerk-Cashier be created in the Merit _ System. 5. That the pay grade and responsibilities of the Food Stamp — Cashier be revi�wed and related to other positions of the Merit System for the purpose of adjustir� the pay grade upward. _ 6. That vacant positions be posted so that employes will have an opportunity to move upward in job classification. — 7_ That the reclassification of employes whose duties have changed be a continuing process. Consideration should also be given to the responsibility vested in a position. 8. That the review right of the division supervisor should be expressed in an attachment to the employe evaluation, and — in no way interfere with the presentation of the point of view of the unit supexvisor. Both points of view should be expressed without interference. - 320 _ ,-. ' ` -. - 9. That the personnel funetion be assigned to the �lssistant — Director. � 10. That all employea be properly oriented in the programs, pract3ces `and policies of the Department. 11. That a Homemaker Aide position be created in the Merit System. . _ 12. That an overtime pay plan be adopted for those employes whos� duties are such that they can be closely supervised and controlled, to avoid abuse of the system. Overtime pay would have to be authorized by the director of each department. _ - 321 - _ �. • . - APPENDICES - 322 - - .. ' ,-� '- Appendix A — This appendix presents a summary of recommendations made and those implemented during the study. The summary does not include new recormnendations which appear in this final report, nor does it repeat the legislative and policy changes presented in Part XIV of the report. ^ ^ . . ^ " The follocaing recortunendations were implemented during the study: 1. That cases be assessed for leoel of service required, and that caseloads be detezmined on the basis of total service needed. _ 2. That staff assignments be made flexible to accommodate fluctuations in workloads. — 3. That group decision-making be eli.minated, and the �chain of command be restored. 4. That typing "pools" be eliminated and clerk-typists assigned to _ aid specific work uni.ts. 5. That space assi�xnnents be modified to permit the grouping af " related funetions. 6. That additional equipment be purchased. This ineluded file cabinets, "in and ou�" baskets, staplers, electric dating machine, electric letter opener, and a more adequate camera for use by child welfare caseworkers. — 7. That case records be located adjacent to workers' desks. 8. That additional inside and outside telephone lines be installed. 9. That #elephone equipment be provided to caseworker units which will pennit a clerk-typist to screen all calls. (More work remains to be done in this area.) — 10. That reserved close-in parking be provided for caseworkers, and that parking be limited in front of the main building. 11. That a system of issuing and recording executive orders be devised. 12. That supervisory personnel receive training in the techniques of — supervision. 13. That the number of ineetir�s be reduced, and that attendance be limited to those employes who have particular interest in the subject matter. �• . � - 14. That full-time messenger service be provided. — 15. That a daily payroll be initiated for recipients. Note: A weekly payroll has been adopted as a compromise. 16. That the Food Stamp unit operate under a newly-designed procedure. 17. That the recipient and employe payrolls be placed on EDP. 18. That a new procedure for routing and filing the RS700 foxm be — adopted. 19. That a "pending case" master file be maintained in conjunetion with the permanent master file. 20. That one person be responsible for processing the paperwork related to new applicants. Note: An application clerk now — handles this work. 21. That mail delivery and pickup be assigned to the messenger clerk to eliminate the long delays in handling by secretarial staff. 22. That services offered by the State EDP unit be utilized. This includes the direct mailing, by the State, of inedical — cards to recipients. 23. That "pool" cases be eliminated, and each case assigned to a worker. (There has been some reversion to the "pool" in Adult Services) . 24. That casee�orkers spend more time in the £ield providing sexvice — to clients. 25. That caseloads in Child Welfare be assigned by functional area. 26. That a supply room, with an inventoxy control system, be set up. 27. That dictation in case records be limited throu�h use of need identification form. (This was used on an interim basis prior to _ new "0£fer of Service" concept.) 28. That a unifoxm system of filling out the Food Stamp Application — forms be adopted for technician use. - .-, . ,-� — 29: That file cabinets be purchased to facilitate placing all inactive case records in one area. (More work remains to be done on this problem.) 30. That the Homemaker program be expanded. Note: This expansion was the result of absorption of the OEO homemaker program. — 31. That more adequate facilities be pxnvidc_.i f.or Food Stamp sales and certification. 32. That clerical funetions be eliminated from caseworker duties to peYmit caseworkers to spend their time in effective case sexvice. 33. That organizational changes to implement separation of eligibility — and service funetions be adopted. 34. That the following forms be adopted: a. Weld County voucher-receipt (instead of separate receipt method) . b. Message forni for use by telephone secretaries. _ c. Inter-office envelope for transmitting papers among department employes. — d. Simplified Food Stamp Application foxm. e. Post card with reply card, to notify client of home visit. f. Cover letter to doctors on Med-9 foxm. _ g. Inter-County transmittal letter for correspondence about case transfers between counties. — h. Several Food Stamp foYms. i. Cantrol form for use by receptionist. j . "Business" card for use by caseworkers. 35. That the follow''�- forms be revised: � � a. Inquiry form - allow more space between lines. b. Face Sheet - provide for some vital infozmation to be entered_ c. Address change form - new design and printed cn NCR paper. — d. FS2 & 3 foxms for Food Stamp Applica'..;sc_s rerised. Fourth copy of FS4 eliminated. e. WIN reports, including those used for day care payments. f. PA-2C - sequence of items under budgetary needs was different than on RS 700. — g. PA77 was not typewriter-spaced. h_ Dental authorization slip - add parents' namees. 36. That the following fonns be eliminated: a. Daily log -was 2uplicate of expense report. b. Correspondence log-each item of mail was recorded. _ c. Telephone toll charge form. d. Record of transmittal letter-use only in file room. — e. Several obsolete foz+ns related to adoptions and foster homes. 37. That the fol.lowing procedures be adopted: a. A voucher will be provided with each Med-9 so that payment to _ doctor can be expedited. b. RS700 "turnaround" foxms will be filed in the case recorcl and — all changes typed on these for+ns. A new RS700 will not be used except in emergencies . Ex: when the "turnaround" canTt be located or a duplicate be requested from the State in time to _ make a change. Original copy goes to State, green copy in eligibility record and yellow copy in service record_ — c. Case records will be pulled only as needed for processing re- determinations. Case records will remain in the file when not being used. ^ d. A checklist for the evaluation of foster homes will be used. This will replace the bulk of dictation in these cases. — _ ^ . � The following recortunendations have not been implemented at this time: — 1. That "out" cards be purchased and used consistently to eliminate case record searehes. 2. That all routine tasks within the Department be handled by EDP. 3. That work be carefully scheduled by caseworkers to maximize use of work time. _ 4. That appropriate systems of reward be initiated for deservir� employes, and that poor workers be tersninated. — 5. That reports be made in tezms of aehievement rather than . numbers, and that these reports be used as management tools. 6. That only one caseworker be involved in a sin,a,le household, _ regardless of the number of categorical programs represented in the home. "" 7. That the expense report required of each caseworker be hand- written rather than typed. s. That a branch office of the A�elfare Department be opened _ in Ft. Lup±on. 9. That the overlap of caseworker interest in foster homes be — eliminated. 10. That new caseworkers reeeive a week of intensive training prior to assumin, the responsibilities of their job. _ 11. That an expanded volunteer program be initiated in conjunetion with the sexvices offered by GIRA (now WIRA, Weld County — Infoxmation and Referral Agency) . 12. That a homemaker aide program be established to provide training experience for future Homemakers. 13. �at PA75 rules be amended to simplify technicians' work. � ' -� - 14.. That a standard method of filing in case records be established _ by the State. 15. That the intake process include a "screener" who would make — a quick assessment of client's need and refer the client to proper person, eith�r within the Department or in another agency. 16. That group meetings be conducted for 0AP recipierrts to provide informational sexvice and a social outlet. This could — replace the annual home visit. 17. That the day care and foster home licensing funetion be assigned to one worker. 18. That many additional services be provided by the State EDP unit. These would include the pre-printing and mailing of re_ � detexmination notices and the printing and direct mailing of recipient checks. 19. That payroll dates be staggered for recipients to eliminate work overloads in the Business Office and Food Stamp sales office. ^ ,-. ' ..� Appendix B " CLERK-CASHIER Definition Perform clerical work which includes the sale of food stamps and application of bookkeeping and reporting theories and practices. � SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under supervision of higher level employe. SUPERVISION EXERCISED — None, may assist in orientation and training of new employes. DISTINGUIS:-�NG FEATURES Work in this class involves perfoxmance of moderately complex clerical duties related to serving food stamp recipients and record- keeping. Performance requires accuracy and accountabi_lity. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORPIED — Sort, arrange and file in accordance with a numerical, alphabetical or chronolo�ical filing system; post and record data to cards, ledgers and fornis; prepare work sheets and computations; maintain _ books recording credits and debits; types cards and forms for food stamp customers; answer telephone, supplies infoY+nation on inquiries, and routes calls; sells food stamps and collects funds; verifies certification of food stamp customers; records purchases by customer; — balances cash and food stamp books sold and in inventory dail}�; logs food stamp books in and out; prepares bank deposits; prepares mail issued food stamps; picks up, sorts and deposits mail; types — correspondence; confers with supervisor concerning questions or problems regarding policies and practices of the Food Stamp program; perfoxms related work as required. REQI3IRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILIS AAID ABILITIES ICnowledge of modern office practices and procedures; knowledge of — arithmetic and business English; knowledge of the operation of type- writer and adding machine; ability to make routine decisions requiring good judgment in accordance cvith rules, regulations and departmental — policies; ability to interpret rules, regulations and departrnental policies to the public; ability to classify, index and file records and reports; ability to write legibly; ability to understand and £ollow moderately complex oral and written instructions; ability to establish — and maintain ha�nonious working relationships with other employees and the public. — MINlMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education High school or GED equivalency. ,�,,. - - ,.1 — CLERK-CASHIER (Cont.) — Experience One year of full-time, paid employment in merchandising, sales, �" clerical or related work, including keeping of records and preparing reports. Substitution Appropriate experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for _ required education. Necessary Special Requirements ^ Applicants must be bondable. Applicants may be required to have a valid driver's license. " Hello