Essex County social services requests $1.7 million for CSA, warns of potential $22,000 SNAP shortfall

Candace, a social services official, told the Essex County Board of Supervisors during its March 10 work session that the county is requesting $1,713,715 for the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) for fiscal year 2027 and that the local match rate is 38.53%.

"We are requesting $1.7 million," Candace said, and outlined line items including about $105,000 for foster care, approximately $1.3 million for private day‑school placements and $32,000 for Chen's cases. She said the county is requesting the maximum $16,268 for non‑mandated services.

Candace highlighted a sustained drop in foster‑care caseloads, saying the county has reduced its foster population by “more than 20” since FY21 and currently has one child in foster care. She credited prevention efforts, work with families and use of donations for keeping children with relatives and in their communities.

She described the Fostering Futures program — which allows youth who age out of foster care to reenter until age 21 — and said one participant is 19 and another may reenter after gaining employment. Candace said eligible youth can receive a stipend of about $700 a month when working or in part‑time education.

Candace also explained ETV (educational training voucher) funds, which have no local match and can support youth through age 26 for training, certifications or educational expenses. She said available ETV money was exhausted for a recent youth and that she requested additional funds from state or federal sources.

On broader DSS operations, Candace summarized 12‑month activity: 142 SNAP/Medicaid/TANF/childcare applications processed, 3,253 ongoing benefit cases, 857 energy cases, 113 child protective referrals, 91 adult protective referrals and 53 elderly/disabled screenings.

She warned of a possible funding shortfall tied to SNAP administrative funding, saying a federal reduction of 25% of the federal share would have an estimated $90 million statewide impact and could cost Essex County about $22,000 if that reduction is not covered in the governor's budget. "If that money is not covered, the cost to Essex County will be about $22,000," she said, and explained the county would experience that as roughly $2,000 per month if the state does not reimburse the difference.

The presenter asked the board to plan contingencies but said the county's current budget can probably absorb the monthly effect until a final state budget is determined; members discussed reappropriation if necessary.

On personnel and capital, Candace said DSS is requesting $90,000 to support a governor‑proposed increase to minimum salaries for family services staff (she characterized it as a substantial percentage increase for those positions) and a $6,000 capital request to begin financing a replacement vehicle. She said some savings from reduced foster‑care attorney costs were reallocated to staff and operations.

The board asked clarifying questions about the budget totals and how the county would handle any shortfall; April (the clerk) provided roll‑call figures for present members and staff confirmed the operations request totals discussed were roughly $1.4 million (salary and wages) and about $1.7 million if CSA lines are included.