Social Services reports sharp drop in long‑term care assessment wait lists and plans to expand data capacity

Sophia Thompson, director of Social Services, told commissioners the department has reduced the long‑term care assessment backlog dramatically by adding staff and improving hiring and onboarding: "Nearly 1,819 individuals have now been removed from the waiting list," she said, and current assignment timelines for over‑65 assessments are within the 20‑day statutory window (about 13 business days).

Thompson said the department rebuilt capacity with board‑approved positions and close collaboration with human resources, which allowed hiring and training of about 80 staff by late 2025. She described plans to replicate the staffing approach across other divisions and requested ongoing monitoring of middle‑ and deep‑end pressures that may follow improved front‑door access.

On workforce stability, Thompson and commissioners discussed turnover metrics and the department's efforts to collect exit and retention data. Thompson said turnover surveys and manager outreach are in use but that capturing consistent, department‑wide information remains a work in progress; she also proposed exploring a shared case management tool to track clients after release from facilities and better measure program impacts.

Commissioners welcomed the improvements, asked for disaggregated turnover and outcome data, and urged the department to share the requested numbers at follow‑up workshops.