Members Present:
Sen. Robert M. Muhlestein,
Senate Chair
Rep. Michael R. Styler,
House Chair
Sen. Lorin V. Jones
Rep. Sheryl L. Allen
Rep. Ron Bigelow
Rep. Jackie Biskupski
Rep. Ben C. Ferry
Rep. Lloyd W. Frandsen
Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
Rep. Neil A. Hansen
Rep. Rebecca Lockhart
Rep. Gordon E. Snow
Rep. David L. Zolman
Members Absent:
Sen. D. Edgar Allen
Sen. Gene Davis
Sen. Parley G. Hellewell
Rep. Jeff Alexander
Staff Present:
Mr. Arthur L. Hunsaker,
Research Analyst
Mr. Keith M. Woodwell,
Associate General Counsel
Ms. Audrey Wendel,
Legislative Secretary
1. Call to Order: Approval of May 17, 2000 Minutes - Chair Muhlestein called the meeting to order at 9:25 a.m.
Due to the lack of a quorum, the May 17, 2000 minutes were not approved.
2. Social Research Institute Study: Structure and Purpose - Ms. Barbara Gittins, Deputy Director, Finance Administration, Department of Workforce Services, introduced Marie Christman, Director, Service Delivery Support, Department of Workforce Services. Ms. Christman explained the reason for the Social Research Study. She said that the Social Research Institute will be conducting a longitudinal study of Family Employment Program Customers who have left cash assistance from July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2002. This study will determine why individuals are no longer depending on assistance. The study will also highlight the effective interventions that are taking place with hard-to-serve customers. This is a two-year study and will cost approximately $536,235 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) rainy day funds.
Amanda Barusch, and Mary Jane Taylor, Social Research Institute, explained how they plan to collect data for the study. Sen. Jones asked about the goals of the study. Ms. Barusch pointed out three main goals: to discover what happens to individuals leaving the system; what helps to get individuals off the system into successful employment; and which interventions work.
Rep. Frandsen asked if this study is similar to others in the United States. Ms. Taylor said that Michigan is doing a similar study. She pointed out that other states conduct independent studies but receive minimal data. This is one of the most comprehensive studies in the nation and other states will be interested in the results.
Sen. Muhlestein expressed concern with the selection process used to determine which university would conduct the study. He asked if it was too late to divide the study among universities. Ms. Christman said that it would be most cost effective to let the University of Utah continue with the study. Sen. Muhlestein suggested that the department consider involving other universities throughout the state in future studies.
Rep. Styler asked how many individuals have left the system because of expired time limits, and how many were taken off assistance because of increase in earned income. Ms. Christman said that from December 1999 through April 2000, 248 families are no longer on assistance because of time limits, and 1,640 families are no longer on assistance because of increase in earned income.
3. Report: Performance Bonus - Input from Regional Councils - Ms. Christman said that they have met with the regional Workforce Services Councils to discuss the distribution of performance bonus funds awarded to the state and to set up a way to receive local input.
Rep. Ferry said that each state may receive up to 5% in bonuses and asked what percent the 2.6 million represents in the funds received. Ms. Taylor said that the bonus award was equal to about 3%. Rep. Ferry asked if case workers received bonuses from the 2.6 million award bonus. Ms. Christman said that it was suggested as an option internally, and even though the federal government would have allowed it, the department opted to use all of the funds to directly assist families. She also added that the department does have incentive programs to award outstanding employees.
4. Health and Safety Standards Governing Providers Receiving Child Care Development Funds - Ms. Gittins distributed a handout titled, "Child Care 2001", from which she made her presentation. She gave background information on the payment-to-parents program and the fraud that was detected. She said that there were also some problems with providing timely payments to clients. Ms. Christman said needs determination is based on parent participation. Currently, payment is provided based on the 75th percentile of the market rate; the department proposes to change this to the 70th percentile. On average, some families would pay five dollars more under this proposal. Ms. Gittins referred to the models contained in the packet that were used to calculate the cost increase.
Rep. Allen asked what the driving force behind the change in percentile is, and how the proposal compensates for infant care. Ms. Cathie Pappas turned to pages 5 and 22 of the handout and pointed out the difference in rates for children of all ages.
Ms. Christman then discussed the health and safety standards. The department proposes changes in determining who would be considered eligible to provide relative care. The department plans to observe the current language in statute regarding eligibility. She pointed out that the provider would be required to pay a $35 application fee and a $25 fee for a background check. Sen. Muhlestein asked which relatives are excluded from this category. Ms. Debra Wynkoop, Director, Bureau of Health Facility Licensure, Department of Health, said that all cousins, god-children, and half-siblings are excluded from this category. Ms. Wynkoop directed the committee to page 10 in the handout and pointed out the range of costs related to the type of providers. Ms. Christman said that this change will be effective in rural areas starting October 2000. The Wasatch Front will be last, projected for March to June 2001.
Ms. Gittins reviewed the cost of making the changes and emphasized that it would not lead to any additional expenditure of funds. She also reviewed the projected positive and negative impacts of the changes.
Sen. Muhlestein added that an increase in job security should lead to increased child care needs. He asked why child care is decreasing. Ms. Christman said that it is hoped that the study will help clarify this issue. She added that the more restrictive eligibility standards may explain some of the decrease.
Rep. Frandsen suggested that the committee study what those who care for children aged 0-3 are doing and should be doing to stimulate their brain development.
Johnny Anderson, President, Utah Child Care Association, encouraged the department to provide assistance in the discussions of the percentile changes so that the association could explain the changes to its members.
5. Proposed Changes to Statute and Rule Governing Cash Assistance - Ms. Christman distributed a handout titled, "Utah Department of Workforce Services Family Employment Program Hardship Extensions June 14, 2000", from which she made her presentation. Ms. Susan Pixton, Division of Adjudication, Department of Workforce Services, described all the changes that will be made in statute and rule concerning the cash assistance. Ms. Gittins pointed out that there will be a public hearing in August, after which the changes will be implemented through rulemaking.
Rep. Goodfellow asked about other criteria that may deserve inclusion and noted that the "extraordinary circumstances" language was being removed. Ms. Pixton replied that their research indicates that those who need an extension after the original time limit can be classified into one of the other four extension areas.
6. Committee Business -
7. Adjourn - Sen. Muhlestein moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:57 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.