[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6314455,"mediaKeyId","2383769-288e25954b019dfa9126902c2c62ae6b","parentId",2383769,"title","Maryland officials defend MD THINK spending and plan report after audit flagged cost growth and functionality gaps","audioSeconds",2088,"startMs",741000,"endMs",2829000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383769-288e25954b019dfa9126902c2c62ae6b&start=741&end=2829","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383769-288e25954b019dfa9126902c2c62ae6b/thumbnail_741000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314455/Maryland/Maryland-officials-defend-MD-THINK-spending-and-plan-report-after-audit-flagged-cost-growth-and-functionality-gaps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314455-1e480487f64be95cc2f786d33cc3755e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770709905&Signature=W6kKTH9k704ElpuMA7KwVqIQa~7ZulVuXoxZnfsZ8LFP82AY7-1zgKBTVgSuxjPiPh88dmgF~-atOK1dH2uT49HAoG3sxMSKYFh2H~StUp6g7CMGW1rl2H6Vr28Uz5K9q768tBsLlq2BlbONeDKp2UUiot9Rtp1pdqexA3uC2lj9kBl1oZB5Zdm214r4mCq36nggDnani0HGmGs4YPyf-syQ~qCzEEBiMD3LuJlzXtw40owfJ4rmLR-1og5dLtt~HL9Lmbt-VzOSKsOPvh28w-GCgUG-B0IfS5SxmUnpvXbmbysRjXWbtvzLfCF64qyQR9KHVriyy9GVF~F0zcAVfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - B&T","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Health and Human Services Subcommittee heard Thursday that the MD THINK platform — Maryland's cloud-based system for eligibility, case management and other human‑services functions — has evolved from a time‑limited project into an ongoing, enterprise digital platform and requires continued investment and oversight.

Natalie Andrade of the Department of Legislative Services told the subcommittee that the Fiscal 2026 allowance for the Department of Human Services (DHS) administrative budget increases by $29.2 million, or 9.3 percent, to $344.7 million and that much of the change reflects MD THINK operations, salary adjustments and fringe benefits. Andrade's analysis highlighted (1) slow gains in access to physical and mental health services for children in foster care, (2) implementation delays in a human‑services careers pilot program and (3) apparent discrepancies between DHS‑reported MD THINK expenditures and the budgeted FY 2026 MD THINK allowance.

The DLS analysis noted that DHS reported $116.6 million in MD THINK spending for fiscal 2024 while the state budget indicated $206.5 million, and that the FY 2026 MD THINK allocation lists roughly $157.6 million while itemized IT projects accounted for only $65.8 million, leaving about $92.2 million unaccounted for in the analysis. The DLS presentation also referenced a March 2024 DoIT audit that flagged cost increases, schedule delays and unresolved independent verification and validation concerns.

Principal Deputy Secretary Carnitra White and MD THINK Executive Director Pat McLaughlin told the panel the platform now supports multiple state agencies beyond DHS, including the Department of Health, the Health Benefit Exchange (Maryland Health Connection), the Department of Labor, and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. McLaughlin said the platform's role has grown: \"It does not necessarily come to an end, rather continues to enhance and improve over time,\" and he described MD THINK as \"a dynamic enterprise wide digital services platform\" rather than a finite project.

DHS offered several explanations for the appearance of a spending gap. DHS said $125 million of the approximately $157.6 million shown for MD THINK in the FY 2026 allowance is specific to DHS work; the remainder represents reimbursable work for partner agencies. DHS said roughly 46 percent of the DHS portion is planned for design, development and implementation work and the remainder for ongoing maintenance and operations. DHS also said roughly 60 percent of the DHS MD THINK funding is federal and reimbursed under differing match rates from several federal partners.

On certification, DHS said the eligibility and enrollment system (E&E) completed a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service certification in March 2021 and is undergoing review with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which DHS expects to complete this year. DHS said CSMS (the child support management system) is in a two‑phase certification process (pre‑certification followed by an on‑site visit) and that CJAMS (Child, Juvenile and Adult Management System) was previously found to be substantially compliant with comprehensive child‑welfare information system requirements.

Andrade and members pressed DHS on governance and accountability. Senator Kristi Hetleman asked, \"where is the accountability for the system?\" DHS responded that the Secretary's office at DHS is responsible for managing funds and coordinating with partner agencies; DHS also described an MD THINK executive steering committee that includes secretaries from Health, Human Services, DoIT, Public Safety and Corrections, Juvenile Services and the Department of Budget and Management.

DLS recommended committee narrative requesting a report on MD THINK costs, implementation progress and long‑term sustainability. DHS agreed to provide the report but asked to move the due date to Dec. 1, 2025, to better align with federal fiscal reporting and advanced planning documents.

Committee members followed with questions about positions, audit findings and data accuracy; DHS described a two‑year roadmap, a shift to product development and agile processes, and a reduction in defect reports. DHS also said it will provide more detailed budget realignments with DBM to address labeling errors and to make reimbursable and shared‑platform costs clearer.

The subcommittee did not take formal action at the hearing. DHS said it will deliver the requested report and follow up on outstanding certification and audit issues.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HHS Committee Session, 2/13/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Health and Human Services Subcommittee heard Thursday that the MD THINK platform — Maryland's cloud‑based system for eligibility, case management and other human‑services functions — has evolved from a time‑limited project into an ongoing, enterprise digital platform and requires continued investment and oversight.","taxTitle","Health and Human Services (HHS) Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15733,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6314445,"DHS says $100.2 million clearing‑account deficit will be reconciled without general‑fund support",1882,1344000,3226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383769-288e25954b019dfa9126902c2c62ae6b&start=1344&end=3226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383769-288e25954b019dfa9126902c2c62ae6b/thumbnail_1344000.jpg","/articles/6314445/Maryland/DHS-says-1002-million-clearingaccount-deficit-will-be-reconciled-without-generalfund-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314445-454bb90925c9e8971f2c1f9539036239/orig.mp4?Expires=1770709905&Signature=KRxdxbTkSMfV2kgxUlQy-8mSNdp3xVt2TdpdVAnmtmis93pWvBmpPH6yx4FNcpHlNPnj~qUoRurv~A3reUH7cFeSpgMlL02ElPIFJ3yMTe7frv79lMFo1D-cevES0bC9qHmLMCameF2bn1WIJmAwUU9aCVPyLrIBUhhWcdZnoaKfrT5ee8DskXVTm-azCllnvqoHYMj1sOKRDSMTNPbdLYlSST9l8Q5tU1jmEm1f2kG7E916Fx0X0otCiTCoHMKX9YS54QGTm-1GCPmveoivSyQoj19wvzPx7wIoAyumupB92R5UxrG4SYn82SUMjBSJWRMwrjhT31EyiUSq7U5dbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DHS officials told the Health and Human Services Subcommittee they expect to resolve a $100.2 million deficit found in a non‑budgeted clearing account without asking for state general funds.

The DLS report cited a fiscal compliance audit identifying a $100.2 million deficit in a DHS non‑budgeted clearing account. DHS testified that management did not become aware of the deficit until December 2024 and said it will partner with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Comptroller's General Accounting Division to reconcile the account during fiscal year 2025 closeout.

\"We anticipate that reconciliation will be fully complete by the closeout of fiscal year 2025,\" the department's acting CFO said, adding that system reports show a positive net balance in other accounts that will offset the negative balance and that expenditures will be reported against unallocated special fund balances identified in the FY 2024 closeout. DHS told the committee that, based on confirmation from the Comptroller's office, general funds should not be needed to resolve the matter.

DHS said it will review FY 2024 non‑budgeted clearing accounts, process necessary journal entries and closely monitor clearing accounts in FY 2025 to ensure proper reconciliation and revenue posting. Committee members asked for follow‑up on classifications and time frames for long‑vacant positions mentioned in the analysis; DHS agreed to provide further detail.

No formal action was taken at the hearing; the subcommittee asked DHS to follow up with the requested reconciliation details and documentation.","At an HHS Subcommittee hearing, Department of Human Services officials said a $100.2 million deficit found in a non‑budgeted clearing account will be reconciled by the close of FY 2025 using special fund balances identified in year‑end closeout and that general fund should not be required.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6314450,"DHS says scholarships and internships in Human Services Careers pilot moving forward; stipends funded in FY25‑26",1474,863000,2337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383769-288e25954b019dfa9126902c2c62ae6b&start=863&end=2337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383769-288e25954b019dfa9126902c2c62ae6b/thumbnail_863000.jpg","/articles/6314450/Maryland/DHS-says-scholarships-and-internships-in-Human-Services-Careers-pilot-moving-forward-stipends-funded-in-FY2526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314450-1482f7d57419ddf96d117bd633cfef2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770709905&Signature=i6GPBdCaVYoZfvxo8ljl3EEzh-yOr0aCl37EXFvwVB77FKSwOjBGmHPrNScp0dhVfKESjvLOm6QOxmGFKBFaFhlcVYBYvlXpP9vSh8YXNG9omq4Bxy1brbnkQRy2fUdWnrTvpklTYLvHIMUw-vIKYS3rNWfFNDDJmu2Ftoof9MSaSofvzacnCDrr6eXAD56C3p7uaNKg-jBlEGI2yyG1ZL1wltt7gQhktmIesbg2G00dSnzEJ4zXG0ugztB3bp44BVjmSEYT96hkwZulymafl-W5bBfF3fGi2G-kHpH-NemKFxjOrmr5UZTjXPoLhZyMOUhqv0od3Ekoikw8ut7Rtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Human Services officials told the Health and Human Services Subcommittee that the Human Services Careers Pilot Program — created to address workforce shortages by offering scholarships and high‑school internships — has begun distributing awards and will continue into fiscal 2026.

Natalie Andrade's DLS review noted implementation delays in scholarship disbursements and asked for detail on stipend funding and use of FY 2024 funds. Deputy Secretary Dan Waite said the pilot has two components: a scholarship program and a high‑school internship program. \"We had 55 applicants who qualified for scholarships and were offered scholarships,\" Waite said, and he added that 44 people have accepted awards so far and that the department continues to review applications for a second round.

Waite said the internship component is expected to begin in spring 2025 in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Prince George's County. He also told the committee that \"The funding for the stipends is fully funded in FY 2526,\" indicating stipends are budgeted in the fiscal 2026 request.

DLS asked for accounting of how FY 2024 funds were used, including amounts spent on stipends or implementation activities; DHS said its written testimony provides additional details and that a first report on the program is linked to that testimony. Committee members did not take formal action at the hearing.

The exchange clarified program timing, participation and funding but left some implementation details — including the final number of scholarship acceptances following the second review and total stipend disbursements to date — to DHS's written report.","DHS told the HHS Subcommittee that the Human Services Careers Pilot Program has disbursed initial scholarships, is preparing high‑school internships for spring 2025, and confirmed stipend funding for fiscal years 2025–2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Maryland officials defend MD THINK spending and plan report after audit flagged cost growth and functionality gaps

DHS says $100.2 million clearing‑account deficit will be reconciled without general‑fund support

DHS says scholarships and internships in Human Services Careers pilot moving forward; stipends funded in FY25‑26