Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aging Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisors review Aging & Adult Services budget amid FMAP uncertainty
Summary
The Department of Aging and Adult Services outlined a $178 million budget heavily driven by IHSS caseload growth; officials said federal FMAP funding and state actions are key variables and warned of service reductions if federal/state support falls through.
The committee received a multi‑part briefing on the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAS). Director Anne Hinton told the committee the department's proposed FY2011 budget is about $178 million, roughly $79 million of which is general fund. The largest program in the DAS budget is In‑Home Supportive Services (IHSS), which accounts for more than $100 million of that total.
Why it matters: IHSS serves low‑income residents who receive home‑based supportive services; caseload growth (from roughly 17,000 to over 20,000 recipients in recent years) has driven significant budget growth and leaves the city reliant on a mix of federal, state and local funds.
Key points: Hinton said the department has used federal FMAP dollars and some one‑time savings to plug gaps this year; if anticipated FMAP (federal) funds do not materialize, the department will need to present a reduction plan. Supervisors pressed for early signals from Sacramento and the congressional delegation to protect funding for elders and adults with disabilities.
Services and staffing: Hinton reported roughly 34 DAS positions cut from the department in recent years (part of a 219.5 reduction across the Human Services Agency), and said the department has tried to avoid program reductions that would harm client services by using FMAP and other temporary resources.
Public comment and community concerns: Senior advocates, union representatives and neighborhood groups urged the committee to maintain meal programs, community living fund support, and staffing; several speakers warned of the human costs of cuts and advocated pursuing revenue options instead of program reductions.
Next steps: Committee members asked staff to monitor state and federal developments closely; the department said it would return with contingency plans if FMAP or other anticipated revenue sources are not approved.
Ending: The department remains committed to preserving direct services but warned the committee that federal/state actions could force service reductions.
