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Rock County approves 11 new Human Services positions for Children's Long Term Support program
Summary
The Rock County Board of Supervisors approved a supplementary appropriation to add 11 full-time positions to the county's state-mandated Children's Long Term Support (CLTS) program, citing rising caseloads and state eligibility requirements. The measure passed on a roll-call vote.
The Rock County Board of Supervisors approved a supplementary appropriation to create 11 full-time positions in the Human Services Department's Children's Long Term Support (CLTS) program, citing state mandates and rising local caseloads.
The change, introduced as “amending the 2025 Human Services Department budget to accept additional children's long term support funding and create 11 FTE positions,” was moved by Supervisor Knutson and seconded by Supervisor Woodman and passed by roll call, 24 yes, 3 no, 2 absent.
Director Luster, who presented the request, said, “This resolution requests additional positions for our Children's Long Term Support program. This is a program that is mandated by the state. So we're required to deliver it and it's fully funded by state and federal dollars.” Luster told supervisors the program serves children with disabilities and helps families access services through a Medicaid waiver.
Program manager Julie provided caseload detail: “Each case manager is responsible for about 25 cases. Right now our caseload sizes are 32 to 34 with the fully trained staff that we have.” She also told the board that the program is required to have monthly contact with families and to see the child in their home twice a year, though staff may visit more often based on need.
Officials gave several quantitative details during debate. County staff said the department had 1,358 children enrolled as of the most recent Monday, about 58 more than an earlier 1,200-case baseline; about 65% of referrals are determined eligible; and about 20 children exit the program each month through aging out or other reasons. Supervisors were told the requested staffing package includes nine case managers plus two supervisory positions (one supervisor and one lead supervisor) and that six of the new positions are needed immediately to address current capacity while three are to accommodate projected growth. The resolution included an amendment to the budget for $568,408 to pay for the change.
Supervisors pressed on productivity and timing. One supervisor asked whether raising staffing to reach a 25-case ideal would reduce productivity; staff replied that the county requires roughly 60% of each worker's time to be spent on billable case-management activities and that lowering caseloads should improve timeliness and reduce missed authorizations. Supervisors also asked whether the hires could wait for the regular budget cycle; staff said vacancies and rising referrals made immediate hires necessary to meet the state's timelines.
The board approved the appropriation and authorized the Human Services Department to begin hiring to fill immediate vacancies and additional positions as needed.
The move expands the county's capacity for the state-mandated CLTS program; staff noted the positions are funded with state and federal dollars tied to the Medicaid waiver, not general county tax levy funds.
