COBI 2015 - Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Overview
Issues
Performance
Background
Financials

Sources Uses

FY 2016 Appropriation

The Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DSDHH) helps increase productivity, independence, and community integration of individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Program services provided through the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf, and a satellite office in St. George, include: information and referral, educational classes, counseling and case management services, recreation and leisure activities, telecommunication services for the deaf, repair and maintenance of assistive technology, interpreter services, and a library. The division operates four programs: Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Utah Interpreter Programs, Outreach and Technology Program, and the Individualized Program.

Funding History

Funding Issues

USOE Indirect Cost Pool Transfers

No Description

Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $2,903,300 from all sources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This is a 15.5 percent reduction from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $2,727,000 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 8.7 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.

Appropriation Adjustments

In addition to statewide compensation and internal service fund cost increases, the following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:

DescriptionOngoingOne-Time USOE Indirect Cost Pool Transfers - USOR ($80,800) ($85,000)

OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source

($80,800) ($85,000)Transfers - Indirect Costs

No Description

Staff Analysis

For the most recent completed fiscal year, the following information represents the purposes for which the money was used:

USOR Deaf and Hard of Hearing Detailed Purposes

Increase in the number of individuals served

Total number of ASL interpreters in Utah

Regarding the positive trend greater than 5% for the percent satisfactory outcomes on qualitative case reviews from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program performance measures, the agency states, "The increase in the Satisfactory Outcomes is a result of implementation of the Hard of Hearing Rural Outreach program to provide assistance to more Utahns in need of division services, and includes the results of better use of social media to advertise services and events. This includes providing information through ASL videos on our Facebook page."

Regarding the positive trend greater than 5% for the total number of ASL interpreters in Utah from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program performance measures, the agency states, "[increase in the] total number of ASL interpreters reflects the growing popularity of ASL interpreting as a career and the increased success of the 3 interpreter training programs in Utah. This trend has been needed as the number of certified interpreters has historically been insufficient for the need."

Statute

The following statutes detail the creation of the division, division responsibilities, and the appointment of an advisory council.

UCA 53A-24-402 -- Creates the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing within the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation.
UCA 53A-24-403 -- Provides that the Executive Director of USOR appoint the director of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the approval of the State Board of Education.
UCA 53A-24-404 -- Outlines the services the division may provide, including: training and adjustment services for adults with hearing impairments; maintenance of a register of qualified interpreters; and operation of community centers for individuals with hearing impairments.
UCA 53A-24-405 -- Directs the State Board to appoint an advisory council to assist the division, USOR, and the board on issues relating to serving the needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The statute also mandates at least one-third of the council members be individuals with hearing impairments.

These programs are detailed in the following paragraphs.

Programs for the Deaf -- The deaf program includes activities and services to fulfill social, recreational, and adult learning needs with barrier-free communication. Specialized programs have been developed for deaf seniors, deaf teenagers, families with deaf children, people with multiple disabilities and some degree of deafness, and people who have lost their hearing as adults.

Programs for the Hard of Hearing -- The hard of hearing specialists work with hard-of-hearing and late-deafened individuals and their families to support those individuals with building various degrees of adjustment/coping skills by providing a barrier-free environment in which to learn, share experiences and enjoy socialization with others who have similar experiences. They provide classes, workshops, and sign language and speech reading training. They also provide information and resources on self-advocacy, assistive technology, purchasing hearing aids, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), self-help strategies and employment issues.

Utah Interpreter Program -- The program provides interpreter training, mentoring, best practices, and certification. The Center offers classes and workshops to help interpreters improve skills, increase knowledge, and prepare for certification.

The Center performs interpreter certification quality assurance evaluations to ensure that the deaf community is receiving quality interpreting services.

Individualized Services Program -- Services are provided at no cost to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, such as mental health counseling in family, group or individualized settings; case management services; assistance with reading documents; and referring clients to appropriate agencies or service providers.

Outreach and Technology Program -- Outreach services offer information and referrals to the public regarding deaf and hard-of-hearing issues. The program provides presentations or workshops on the needs and technology available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The center offers a demonstration lab that has equipment available for individuals to test before purchase. Equipment includes special phones for the hard of hearing, TTY devices, doorbell and phone transmitters and flashers, baby cry devices, fire/burglar alarms, and computer software and hardware.

Intent Language

HB0003: Item 94

The Legislature intends that the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation prepare proposed performance measures for all new state funding or TANF federal funds for building blocks and give this information to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by June 30, 2015. At a minimum the proposed measures should include those presented to the Subcommittee during the requests for funding. If the same measures are not included, a detailed explanation as to why should be included. The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation shall provide its first report on its performance measures to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by October 31, 2015. The Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall give this information to the legislative staff of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee.

HB0003: Item 94

The Legislature intends the departments of Health, Human Services, and Workforce Services and the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation provide to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by June 1, 2015 a report outlining how funds are distributed within the state when passed through to local government entities or allocated to various regions and how often these distributions are reviewed and altered to reflect the relevant factors associated with the programs. (1) Is the program considered a statewide program (this would include something that serves all rural areas)? a. Is the implementation of the program really statewide? If not, is there a compelling reason why? (2) Who gets the money (by county)? (3) What is the methodology for distributing the money? a. How does the distribution compare to actual need as expressed by population? i. [If distributions are not reflecting current need (as represented by population), please explain why not?] b. If not done by population, what is the reason? (4) Does statute say anything about distribution and equity for the program?

SB0002: Item 87

The Legislature intends the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR), in conjunction with the Utah State Office of Education and the Utah State Board of Education, provide to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst no later than September 1, 2015: 1) A report on the USOR fiscal status for the recently completed state Fiscal Year 2015, including identification of one-time funding sources used to pay for ongoing services; 2) A projection of the USOR fiscal status for state Fiscal Year 2016, including any anticipated uses of one-time funding sources to pay for ongoing services; 3) A projection of the USOR anticipated fiscal status for state Fiscal Year 2017, including any anticipated uses of one-time funding sources to pay for ongoing services; 4) Any anticipated reductions in paid client services for state fiscal years 2015, 2016, or 2017; 5) The status of paid client services and numbers affected by reductions, if any; 6) The status of the Order of Selection waiting list and estimated numbers affected, if any; 7) The status of federal Maintenance of Effort and its effect on state liability; 8) Recommendations regarding the organizational placement of USOR and its subunits in order to provide proper oversight, management, and support; and 9) The history and current status of the individuals with Visual Impairment Fund.

SB0002: Item 87

The Legislature intends the Departments of Workforce Services, Health, Human Services, and the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation provide a report regarding each agency's highest cost individuals and possible efficiencies through coordination, early intervention, and prevention. The Legislature further intends these agencies provide a report to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst by September 1, 2015. The report shall include the following regarding high cost individuals: 1) a summary, by program, of individuals receiving services in excess of $100,000 total fund annually in any given agency, what percentage of total costs is spent on these individuals, and what the agency is doing to manage these costs in an efficient manner, 2) an assessment of these high cost individuals receiving services from multiple agencies, 3) a description of agency coordination regarding high cost individuals accompanied by a list of areas where agencies specifically coordinate on these high cost individuals, 4) recommendations regarding how best to serve these high cost individuals in least restrictive settings where appropriate and consistent with choice, and 5) recommendation on how agency efforts might better be coordinated across programs.

SB0002: Item 87

SB0003: Item 140

The Legislature intends that, under 63J-1-206(e), the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation transfer $9,837,000 from the federal Aspire Grant between the Executive Director's Office to the newly created Aspire Grant program beginning in FY 2016.

SB0007S01: Item 32

The Legislature intends that the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation report on the following performance measures for its line item: (1) Vocational Rehabilitation - Increase the number of rehabilitation outcomes (Target = 3,665), (2) Vocational Rehabilitation - maintain or increase a successful rehabilitation closure rate (Target = 60%), and (3) Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Increase in the number of individuals served by DSDHH programs (Target = 7,144) by January 1, 2016 to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

The table below illustrates that Education Fund represents 91 percent of the total division revenue. The only other revenue source in the division's budget is dedicated credits. The division generates dedicated credits through the sale of services that includes items such as: building rental income (Utah Association for the Deaf and a bookstore); fees for interpreter certification evaluation; fees for interpreter services to Courts and state agencies; fees for interpreter training workshops; fees for sign language classes; and mental health service fees.

Display By:

Funding Source

Expenditure Category

Appropriation Type:

Appropriation History by

Sources of Finance	FY11 Actual	FY12 Actual	FY13 Actual	FY14 Actual	FY15 Approp	FY15 Change	FY15 Revised	FY16 Change	FY16 Approp
Education Fund	2,038,800	2,105,100	2,229,400	2,342,300	2,616,100	0	2,616,100	90,800	2,706,900
Education Fund, One-time	0	0	0	54,900	9,800	(116,900)	(107,100)	127,200	20,100
Federal Funds	0	0	0	0	0	643,900	643,900	(643,900)	0
Dedicated Credits Revenue	226,700	238,400	234,000	390,700	249,400	117,500	366,900	(109,800)	257,100
Transfers - Indirect Costs	0	0	0	0	0	(85,000)	(85,000)	4,200	(80,800)
Total	$2,265,500	$2,343,500	$2,463,400	$2,787,900	$2,875,300	$559,500	$3,434,800	($531,500)	$2,903,300

Categories of Expenditure	FY11 Actual	FY12 Actual	FY13 Actual	FY14 Actual	FY15 Approp	FY15 Change	FY15 Revised	FY16 Change	FY16 Approp
Personnel Services	1,732,500	1,826,000	1,917,200	2,137,100	2,498,300	314,100	2,812,400	(319,400)	2,493,000
In-state Travel	13,500	19,300	19,700	36,100	19,700	(400)	19,300	0	19,300
Out-of-state Travel	2,800	7,300	8,200	4,700	8,200	(900)	7,300	0	7,300
Current Expense	360,200	360,600	371,700	471,500	201,100	349,400	550,500	(218,900)	331,600
DP Current Expense	82,000	57,200	73,600	53,500	75,000	(17,800)	57,200	2,600	59,800
Other Charges/Pass Thru	74,500	73,100	73,000	85,000	73,000	(84,900)	(11,900)	4,200	(7,700)
Total	$2,265,500	$2,343,500	$2,463,400	$2,787,900	$2,875,300	$559,500	$3,434,800	($531,500)	$2,903,300

Show Table | Show Additional Information

Other Indicators	FY11 Actual	FY12 Actual	FY13 Actual	FY14 Actual	FY15 Approp	FY15 Change	FY15 Revised	FY16 Approp
Budgeted FTE	29	27	25.25	35.45	36.75	3.95	40.70	40.70
Actual FTE	26.54	28.10	29.10	32.20	0	0	0	0
Vehicles	3	3	3	3	3	0	3	3

COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.