Del Norte social services report 43% vacancy rate; Medi‑Cal, CalFresh workloads rise

The Del Norte County Department of Social Services told the Board of Supervisors on March 4 that the Public Assistance Employment and Training branch is operating with a 43% vacancy rate and unusually high caseloads.

“we are at a 43% vacancy rate with public assistance, and a lot of our time has just been strategizing how to maintain our productivity with that,” Program Manager Jocelyn Woodrow said during the department's 10:45 a.m. update.

The update said the office is processing roughly 6,100 Medi‑Cal cases and about 4,000 CalFresh cases. Staff reported workers are carrying roughly 700 cases each in the current configuration, well above the ideal 250–300 cases per worker and far above earlier separations of intake and ongoing caseload duties.

The report described steps staff have used to keep services running: cross‑training, overtime focused on the Medi‑Cal unwinding and critical intakes, supervisors and analysts pitching in on casework and front‑desk duties, and morale efforts such as peer chat groups and periodic staff breakfasts. The department said it has worked with Human Resources to prioritize postings and is evaluating CalSAWS features to improve workflow.

Officials described targeted program work. The welfare‑to‑work and expanded subsidized employment efforts are continuing, including orientation and childcare for parents seeking work. Family stabilization and housing support staff help clients with rental applications, credit repair, eviction clearing and HUD applications. Staff also described a pilots and partnerships with the sheriff's office to lift Medi‑Cal coverage for inmates on release and with workforce programs for job fairs and resume help.

The presentation included success stories the department attributed to subsidized employment and training: a client who moved off CalWORKs after employment at GH Outreach and another who began an RN program after years of part‑time schooling.

During board questions, Supervisors raised access gaps that affect Medi‑Cal recipients, including difficulty obtaining services locally such as prescription eyewear; department staff and administration said interstate or state‑level advocacy would be required to expand cross‑border access to care. Supervisors also asked about the county's readiness for CalAIM changes related to jail reentry; department staff said they are coordinating with the sheriff and have been taking applications and communicating with the jail when inmates express interest in Medi‑Cal before release.

Public commenters and the county's employee union praised frontline staff and warned that low pay and heavy caseloads are driving turnover. Norma Williams, DNCEA/SEIU chapter president, said 63 employee survey responses were a limited sample and urged the board to address compensation and vacancy drivers. Several residents urged streamlined intake and clearer distinctions among housing supports, General Relief and HUD programs.

The board directed staff to return the General Relief resolution for review and possible revision after the department and board members examine housing payment routing and program criteria. The board also asked staff to continue coordination with HR on vacancy postings and to report back on implementation steps.

The department provided counts, internal workload metrics and program descriptions during the update; no new ordinance or budget change was enacted at this hearing.

Ending: The department asked the board to consider targeted adjustments and continued interagency coordination; supervisors asked staff to return with recommended language if the board chooses to amend the General Relief resolution.