County human services and fiscal officials told the Human Services Committee that state budget delays and unresolved pass‑through payments have created a cash‑flow strain across Human Services divisions and to providers.

A Human Services official reading an update said an email from about two weeks earlier estimated outstanding state reimbursements were roughly $10 million; the official said that figure had been updated to about $12,000,000. Committee discussion cited large outstanding amounts owed to Children and Youth services, mental health, and drug and alcohol programs.

Officials described steps taken and contingency planning. Human Services staff said vendor payments have been paused in some cases and that many providers have fund balances that may allow them to continue operating for a short period. “Furloughs would be an absolute last resort,” the County Executive said; officials said a 30‑day notice was given to the union because of the possibility of prolonged shortfalls and to preserve administrative options.

Fiscal details discussed in the meeting included a county payroll and benefits run for Human Services departments of roughly $3,000,000 per month (estimate), and a county financial stabilization fund balance of just under $9,000,000 that could be tapped to preserve operations for about three months. Committee members and staff warned of cascading effects if longer shortfalls occur: unpaid vendor bills can impair oversight functions, and missed payments for placements or foster care would have immediate consequences for children and families.

Officials laid out priorities for any reduced staffing or services: mandatory adult protective services, child protective services and other court‑ordered responsibilities would be maintained, and noncritical paperwork or nonrequired activities would be deferred. Human Services staff asked the committee for more frequent cash‑flow updates and said they would provide a more detailed accounting next month.

Why this matters: delays in state and federal funding can force local governments to pause payments, reduce services, or consider workforce actions that would affect vulnerable children, adults and provider organizations in Northampton County.