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Committee hears request to rename and expand service-integration work; asks transfer flexibility for new division
Summary
The department described Service Integration’s move to a new Family and Community Partnerships division and asked for transfer flexibility between personnel and operating categories under Idaho Code 67-35-11 to allow the reorganized unit to coordinate supports for foster families and clients.
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee received a briefing Feb. 20 on the department unit formerly called Service Integration, which will be renamed Family and Community Partnerships under the department’s reorganization.
Alex Williamson, the Legislative Services analyst, told the committee the unit coordinates customer service for clients, reduces duplication across divisions and administers emergency assistance and trustee-and-benefit payments. The unit is authorized about 35 full-time positions and expended roughly 96% of its appropriation in fiscal 2024.
Director Alex Adams said the division has already partnered with state agencies and private partners on nonbudget items that support foster families and recruitment efforts. “This is the team that partnered with Parks for free Parks passes for foster families with fish for free fishing licenses and things like that,” Adams said, describing the unit’s role in community outreach and partnership-building.
Transfer authority request The department asked for an exemption from the maintenance-bill restriction that limits transfers of personnel dollars and trustee/benefit payments so the newly formed division would be able to move funds between expense classes in accordance with Idaho Code 67-35-11. Williamson said the governor’s recommendation included the same transfer-exemption language as a one-time supplemental for FY2025 and as an ongoing enhancement for FY2026. Committee members did not take immediate action; the request will be considered during budget-setting.
Ending No committee votes occurred during the hearing. The division’s request for transfer flexibility and its new organizational role will be considered during the department’s overall budget deliberations.
