Annual report / Arizona Department of Economic Security

              ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 1996 - 1997

This document is available in alternative formats by contacting: DES Office of Policy, Planning and Project Control at: (602) 542-2106.



Quality Service.



Organizational Pride.



Client Self-Sufficiency.



During the past year, the employees of the Department of Economic Security successfully achieved these impressive results. PRIORITY AREA #1: CHILDREN Efforts Focused on assuring the safety of Arizona's children. Results Marketed the Child Abuse Hotline: 1- 888-SOSCHILD. Calls increased by 34% yet still investigated 99% of the highest priority (P1 & P2) reports statewide. Reported comprehensive performance data to the Legislature. Invited five news reporters to "ridealong" with case managers to cover child abuse issues. Trained caseworkers and brought on-line the CHILDS automated system (Children's Information Library & Data Source) to streamline case file information.



Maintained openness and accountability.



Improved accuracy and productivity.



PRIORITY AREA #2: EMPLOYMENT Efforts Changed offices from welfare to employment centers. Results Redesigned lobby waiting rooms to job information centers. Brought participants and employers together in "job clubs" to speed hiring and employment. Provided transitional child care and medical care assistance for families moving from welfare to work.



Promoted supports to help families be selfsufficient.



Moved people from welfare to work quickly.



Closed a record 16,000 cases because families left welfare for work. Placed 62,078 people in jobs in 15 months.



PRIORITY AREA #3: INDEPENDENCE OF FAMILIES Efforts Increased child support collections. Results Collected a record amount of child support totaling $147.1 million in state fiscal year 1997. Awarded $2 million in contracts to 14 community groups to develop transportation solutions. Awarded $2.5 million in contracts to 14 community groups to expand child care services. Held more than 60 community forums to discuss welfare reform and incorporate local solutions. Received and implemented the $200,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Self Determination Grant to assist people with developmental disabilities.



Emphasized local solutions over state mandates.



Helped people make the best decisions for themselves.



PRIORITY AREA #4: DES EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY Efforts Results



Improved accuracy. Achieved a food stamp accuracy rate of 91.56%, above the national rate of 90.22%. Achieved a cash assistance accuracy rate of 93.2%. These are the highest levels achieved in DES' history. Managed by facts. Achieved nearly all of the annual DES strategic plan goals, and measured and reported performance, efficiency and productivity. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE MISSION ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES PROVIDED ECONOMIC OUTLOOK INITIATIVES 1 1 1 4 5



Current Initiatives Automation Initiatives Future Initiatives AWARDS STATISTICS Comparison Between Arizona and United States Population

Comparison Between Arizona and United States Per Capita Income



5 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 30 32



Expenditures by Function and Funding Source Revenues by Funding Source

Comparison Between Arizona and United States Unemployment



Unemployment Insurance Financial Transaction Summary Food Stamp Participants Temporary Assistance for Needy Families General Assistance

Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program � Comparison of Participants and Participants Employed to the Percentage Retained



Child Support Enforcement Collections APPENDIX A Children & Family Services Training Program Fund Status Report APPENDIX B Housing Assistance Program



Historical Perspective

The Department was established by the State Legislature in July 1972 by combining the Employment Security Commission, the State Department of Public Welfare, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the State Office of Economic Opportunity, the Apprenticeship Council and the State Office of Manpower Planning. The State Department of Mental Retardation joined the Department in 1974. The purpose in creating the Department was to provide an integration of direct services to people in such a way as to reduce duplication of administrative efforts, services and expenditures. This purpose has resulted in the Department developing the following mission statement:



MISSION

The Arizona Department of Economic Security is a human service agency dedicated to working with the people we serve to achieve their self-sufficiency.



Back to Table of Contents



ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES PROVIDED

The Department has six district offices and more than 300 locations statewide. District offices are located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, Casa Grande and Bisbee. The Department employs approximately 9,600 people. The Department is organized into three clusters: Protective, Social and Community Services; Employment and Economic Assistance; and Operations. The Protective, Social and Community Services cluster consists of the Division of Aging and Community Services, the Division of Children, Youth and Families and the Division of Developmental Disabilities. The Division of Aging and Community Services (DACS) provides and contracts for services, such as food distribution information for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, information and referral, and rural food banks. Adult services programs include adult protective services, supplemental payments program, home care, congregate and home-delivered meals, case management and institutional support payments. The Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) provides foster care services for children who are hard to place and other children's services, such as child protective services, adoption services, in-home family services and intensive family services for families whose children are at imminent risk of out-of-home placement. In addition, comprehensive medical and dental coverage is provided for foster children under the jurisdiction of the Department, juvenile probation offices and the Department of Juvenile Corrections. The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities through a 100 percent State-funded program and the Arizona LongTerm Care System (ALTCS), which is funded by the State and the Federal Health Care Financing Administration through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Both programs provide foster care, as well as residential, adult day and children services. In addition, the ALTCS program provides acute medical care to eligible individuals. The Employment and Economic Assistance cluster consists of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility and the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services. The Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) administers Arizona's child support enforcement program. The services of the Division include locating absent parents, establishing legal obligations and the amounts of child support payments, payment collections, and investigating and modifying child support payments. The Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME) administers the Temporary



Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps and State-funded General Assistance programs. In addition, the Division determines eligibility for the State's medical assistance program (AHCCCS), as well as supplemental security income through its Disability Determination Services Administration. The Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) administers Arizona's unemployment insurance and job service programs. In addition, the Division provides job training opportunities through administration of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. The Division also administers a comprehensive set of child care programs. The Operations cluster consists of the Division of Employee Services and Support, the Division of Business and Finance and the Division of Data Administration. In addition, the Office of Legislative Services and the Office of Equal Opportunity report directly to the Deputy Director of Operations. The Office of Communications and Legal Services report to the Director. The Division of Employee Services and Support (DESS) provides support services to all employees and programs, including appellate services, audit and management services, special investigations, internal security, research, organization and management development, volunteer services and personnel. The Division of Business and Finance (DBF) provides office and general business services to the Department, such as accounting; finance; budget; policy, planning and project control; collections; procurement; facilities management; printing and mail management. The Division of Data Administration (DDA) provides automation and telecommunication support to the Department, including system design and programming, data base management and technical support. The Department is affiliated with and receives guidance from several councils and the Venture Team Board. These entities are blended in the Department's combined financial statements.



Entity Name



Members Appointed By



Members' Terms



Number of Members



Purpose



Economic Security Advisory Council



Governor



3 years



18



To represent citizen and community views on social and economic welfare to the Governor and the Department to aid in the planning, funding and implementation of programs related to these needs. To advocate for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. It promotes, coordinates and monitors programs impacting its constituency. To help develop policy and to advise the executive and legislative branches of State government on all matters relating to aging, including the administration of the State Plan on Aging. To assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system for developmentally delayed infants and toddlers and their families. To assist the Department in the implementation of its total quality management initiatives.



Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities



Governor



3 years



23



Governor's Council on Aging



Governor/ Council Executive Director



3 years



15



Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers



Governor



Discretionary



23



Venture Team Board



Governor/ Department Director



Discretionary



5



Back to Table of Contents



Economic Outlook



The following economic information has been obtained from the Department's Research Administration. The current forecast is that more than 153,000 nonfarm jobs will be created in Arizona in the 1997-98 period. This translates into a growth rate of 4.6 percent for 1997 and 3.3 percent in 1998. It is further expected that Arizona will continue to grow over the two-year period at roughly twice the national pace. The Phoenix-Mesa Metropolitan Area (MA) is projected to grow by about 120,000 jobs in the 1997-98 period, representing growth rates of 5.3 percent for 1997 and 3.6 percent for 1998. Meanwhile, the Tucson MA is forecast to grow at a 2.4 percent pace for 1997 and at a 2.1 percent growth rate in 1998. Overall, Tucson is expected to add nearly 14,200 jobs. The "Balance of State" region (Arizona less the PhoenixMesa and Tucson MAs) is projected to grow at 3.7 percent and 2.9 percent in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Arizona's manufacturing and construction industries should continue to experience growth during the 199798 period. Both raw and final-product manufacturing have experienced robust growth in Arizona as a result of continued strength in the regional and national economies, as well as the return of vigor to Arizona's export markets. Arizona's manufacturing industry is projected to grow at a 3.1 percent pace for 1997 and 1.9 percent for 1998, contributing more than 10,000 jobs over the two-year period. Arizona's construction industry is forecast to add about 3,000 jobs in 1997 before showing declines of about 1,400 jobs in 1998. Although several large projects are expected to be completed in 1997, new, smaller projects continue to sustain existing labor levels at historic, though unsustainable, highs. As labor resources shift between commercial, industrial and residential construction projects, a job growth rate of 2.2 percent is projected for 1997 before declining by 1.1 percent in 1998. Arizona's services industries are expected to lead the State in both the number and the rate of jobs added in 1997 and 1998. The areas of fastest growth in services are in the information-age industries, such as business consulting, computer software and computer services, along with temporary services, amusement and recreation and the hotels and lodging sectors. Arizona's services industries are projected to grow by 7.5 percent in 1997 and 5.1 percent in 1998, adding more than 72,600 jobs over the two-year period. Arizona's trade industry growth projections continue to look good. With much of the job growth occurring in the wholesale industry, trade is projected to remain relatively strong throughout the State over the forecast period. Although Tucson and the southern counties have felt the impact of the peso devaluation, improvements in economic activity along the U.S. and Mexican border, along with returning strength in California's economy and strong optimism of consumers and business, should strengthen Arizona's trade activity. Arizona trade industries are projected to grow at a rate of 4.4 percent in 1997 and 3.6 percent in 1998, adding more than 38,000 trade jobs over the forecast period. Finance, insurance and real estate group growth continues to come from many of the innovative ways the financial services companies continue to expand. Job growth in this industry group is projected at 5.2 percent in 1997 and 3.1 percent in 1998. Nearly 10,000 additional jobs are expected in this group over the forecast period.



Arizona's transportation, communications and utilities sectors are expected to record a two-year increase of about 8,000 jobs, with projected growth rates of 3.6 percent in 1997 and 4.2 percent in 1998. The transportation and communications sectors are expected to experience the greatest share of this group's growth. The areas of government and mining are expected to continue showing only modest rates of growth. Public sector jobs are expected to grow at rates of 2 percent and 2.3 percent in 1997 and 1998, respectively, resulting in almost 14,000 jobs over the two-year period. Back to Table of Contents



Current Initiatives

During fiscal year 1996-97, the Department continued and commenced a number of projects aimed at streamlining processes and improving customer service. The most significant projects are outlined below. Children's Information Library and Data Source (CHILDS) CHILDS is a comprehensive statewide automated child welfare information system that will remove many barriers affecting the delivery of services to youth and families in Arizona. CHILDS is expected to help reduce the time required to process cases, to apply eligibility policy consistently and to reduce errors in case entry, maintenance, eligibility determination and payment processing. The first phase of the project was the acquisition of office automation which was completed in November 1995, with the next phase, testing and implementation of the functional and technical requirements for the system, to be completed in December 1997. The following improvements for child welfare have been accomplished as of December 1997: CHILDS now encompasses the Interstate Compact for Placement of Children functionality; new federal reporting requirements have been fully implemented; families eligibility factors for TANF have been added to CHILDS allowing for claiming of federal funds; and modifications to CHILDS have been completed supporting changes to the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) policy and practices. In addition, the Adoption Registry has been automated to assist field staff in matching children with families and expediting the permanent placement of children. Welfare Reform EMPOWER (Employing and Moving People Off Welfare and Encouraging Responsibility) is Arizona's welfare reform program designed to help families become self-sufficient. Arizona received approval to implement EMPOWER on May 22, 1995, with a November 1, 1995, effective date. EMPOWER contains nine provisions: Time-Limited Benefits; Family Benefit Cap; Unwed Minor Teen Parent requirement; extension of Transitional Child Care and Medical Assistance for an additional 12 months; elimination of the Two-Parent Employment Program 100-Hour Rule; allowance for recipients to establish an Individual Development Account for education and training purposes; requirement that teen



parents age 13-16 participate in basic education and training; requirement of a minimum sanction for JOBS noncompliance; and establishment of JOBStart (Arizona Full Employment Demonstration Project), a demonstration project in Pinal County, to evaluate the effect of replacing TANF and food stamps benefits with wages from subsidized employment. On August 22, 1996, the federal government enacted national welfare reform legislation, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. This legislation gives states, with some limitations, the flexibility to design their own welfare programs.



q



EMPOWER Redesign



EMPOWER Redesign is the Department's initiative implementing welfare reform legislation which coordinates, in local EMPOWER Resource Centers, services of the Family Assistance Administration (FAA), JOBS Administration, Child Care Administration (CCA) and Employment Security Administration. Four EMPOWER Redesign Offices opened on August 1, 1997: three in Maricopa County and one in Pima County. These offices work under the premise that welfare offices are now employment offices and welfare is only temporary assistance while preparing to secure employment. To further support this concept, each office has Job Service and JOBS staff co-located and a Resource Center supplied with the materials and equipment necessary to conduct a successful job search. EMPOWER Redesign centers on a "Work First" model which highlights the following features: emphasis on work requirements in a time-limited environment; a diversion program to prevent long-term dependence on public assistance; simplified eligibility rules including incentives to work; educational requirements for teen parents; redesign of child care programs; special consideration to needs of victims of domestic violence; and increased private sector and community involvement. Arizona Works Arizona Works is a pilot program to privatize the delivery of welfare services in a limited geographic area of the State. Under Senate Bill 1357 (Chapter 300, Laws 1997), the State will contract with a private entity, to be known as the Arizona Works Agency. The Arizona Works Agency will operate the Arizona Works program and will determine eligibility and perform case management for the TANF, Food Stamps, AHCCCS, State-funded General Assistance and Child Care programs. The State legislation establishing Arizona Works also creates the Arizona Works Agency Procurement Board. The Arizona Works Agency Procurement Board must award a contract by January 1, 1999, with a private entity to implement Arizona Works. The Department has applied for federal waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to allow employees of private entities to determine eligibility for food stamps and AHCCCS medical assistance benefits. One-Stop Career Centers In September 1995, the Department was awarded a $3.3 million implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to implement the One-Stop Career Center System (OSCCS) statewide. The OSCCS will provide access for customers statewide to choose basic, high quality employment and education services through the establishment of 17 regional One-Stop Centers over a four-year period. Arizona currently has eight operational OSCCS. Counties with One-Stop access now include Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Yavapai and Yuma. By September 1998, when Arizona's Implementation Grant funding expires, there will



be a One-Stop Career Center in each county representing an additional nine systems. One-Stop Career Centers are a Department of Labor initiative to unify the "patchwork" of categorical programs into a single workforce development system. One-Stop Career Centers are access points (including electronic access, satellite offices, as well as fullservice centers) to a wide array of employment and training-related information and services. The four guiding principles of One-Stop implementation include: 1) providing universal access to information and services, 2) allowing customer choice in what, how and where services are accessed, 3) integrating services across multiple funding streams for a seamless service delivery system and 4) developing outcome-based performance measures. ACYF Multidisciplinary Protocol for the Investigation of Child Abuse and Center Against Family Violence The ACYF developed and distributed the Multidisciplinary Protocol for the Investigation of Child Abuse in District I (Maricopa County). The Protocol is a prototype for the State and was developed via a cooperative effort between representatives of Child Protective Services (CPS), local law enforcement agencies, the Maricopa County Court, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the Office of the Attorney General, the Maricopa County Public Defender's Office, the Juvenile and Adult Probation Offices and local hospitals. The Protocol is used at the Center Against Family Violence (Center) in District I. The Center was established to house representatives from the Mesa Police Department, CPS, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the Office of the City of Mesa Prosecutor, the Maricopa Medical Center, the Center Against Sexual Assault and the Child Abuse Assessment Center at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. The purpose of the Center is to lessen the number of interviews and reduce the potential trauma to the abused child, improve communications among the involved agencies and enhance the quality of cases submitted for prosecution. ACYF Performance Based Contracting The ACYF collaborated with community providers to develop a system for performance based contracting of foster care to assist the Department and providers to become accountable for the outcome of services provided. The expected outcome is the availability of more foster homes through improved licensing and placement and a reduction in the number of children in more restrictive or less appropriate placements, such as group homes. Arizona Early Childhood Business Initiative Partnership The Arizona Early Childhood Business Initiative Partnership project started in late fall of 1996. This publicprivate partnership was primarily developed as one method to respond to the expected increased need for child care as individuals transition from welfare to work. The Partnership's mission is to formalize recruitment, orientation, training and job placement of Department recipients who have the interest and the aptitude in the early childhood child care field. The goals of this project are to provide meaningful employment to individuals currently receiving public assistance and to assist in meeting the on-going and increasing need for qualified child care providers throughout the State. To assist communities in addressing the need for an adequate supply of child care, the Department has contracted with 14 community-based projects throughout Arizona. These projects will assess, plan and develop sustainable, quality child care options to meet the needs of the communities. Excellent Staff through Training, Example, Education and Motivation (ESTEEM)



A progressive employee assessment system was designed and developed by the ESTEEM Team, led and sponsored by DBF. The new assessment system was developed by this cross-divisional team with the input of employee surveys, focus groups, team research and a pilot study. The system was approved by the Department's Executive Team, with statewide implementation completed in fiscal year 1997. Competitive Government Process The Department's Mail Operations were privatized effective July 1, 1996. All Department mail operations employees were placed with the successful contractor or in other positions within State service. The privatization brought aboard a professional mail management team with the capability to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation, ensure compliance with new Postal Service regulations and obtain the best possible mailing rate(s) for the Department's outgoing mail. For fiscal year 1997, this provided a cost avoidance for the Department of approximately $300,000. In addition, in March of 1997, DCSE released a request for proposal which sought to privatize the payment collection and posting function for cases receiving services under the State plan (IV-D). In May 1997, a contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin Information Management Systems (IMS) and in July 1997, IV-D support payments, statewide, began being processed by Lockheed's payment processing center in Phoenix. DCSE is working with the Child Support Coordinating Council, Clerks of Superior Courts and Lockheed Martin IMS to facilitate a smooth transition to the complete centralization of support payment processing in Arizona by the statutory due date. Proactive Error Reduction Contact (PERC) The PERC initiative was implemented in July 1995 to reduce client-caused errors due to failure to report changes. Designated staff of the FAA initiate contact with clients by telephone or mail to review eligibility status and discover unreported changes, such as differences in mailing and residential addresses, household composition, shelter expenses and income. From July 1995 through September 1997, over 132,000 contacts have been made which resulted in food stamps savings of approximately $5,612,328. Back to Table of Contents



Automation Initiatives

The Department continues to enhance its automation capabilities. Automation can have a positive impact on the way the Department provides services to the public and can enhance the productivity of Department staff. Several major automation initiatives have been completed or are underway in the Department, including the following:

q



Year 2000 Compliance



The most important information technology project facing the Department is ensuring year 2000 compliance of its critical automation systems. The results of a year 2000 impact analysis conducted on the Department's mainframe, minicomputer and microcomputer platforms revealed the Department supports approximately 65 major automation systems consisting of 10,705 programs and comprised of over 17,600,000 lines of code.



All systems must undergo the "find, fix and implement" processes to avoid system failures, service disruptions or legal liability by assuring year 2000 compliance. A Department-wide year 2000 work plan has been developed, and the Department anticipates being 69% complete by June 30, 1998, and expects to be fully compliant no later than June 30, 1999. Employer Information System (EIS) The EIS is a database which will provide access to various types of information for all employers within the State. Since EIS offers on-line access to employer demographic information, job developers can search the employer database by using a variety of criteria, including location, business type or Standard Industry Code. The system also allows for real-time access to a record of activities/contacts that have transpired with the employer. This feature will help prevent duplication of efforts and repeated contacts and will provide a more professional approach to job development and partnering with employers.



q



Fingerprint Imaging Project



In 1997, legislation was enacted requiring all adult applicants, adult recipients and eligible minor parents to be fingerprint imaged for positive identification as a condition of eligibility for receiving welfare assistance benefits of the TANF, State-funded General Assistance and/or Food Stamp programs. The fingerprint imaging of welfare applicants and recipients as a means of positive identification is intended to identify and prevent multiple enrollments in Arizona's welfare programs. The request for proposals process was accomplished during fiscal year 1997, and effective fiscal year 1998, the selected vendor joined the project. The project team will establish and implement all internal requirements to include rules, policy, procedures, public information, training and evaluation to implement a regional pilot program beginning January 1998.



q



Public Assistance and Administration Revolving Fund Information System (PARIS)



On May 1, 1997, the Office of Accounts Receivable and Collections implemented the mainframe-based Public Assistance and Administration Revolving Fund Information System (PARIS). The new system reduces processing cycle time, eliminates various manual processes and reduces errors by developing edits that reject incompatible account coding. PARIS also provides an audit trail of all transactions by creating accurate, complete and useful management reports.



q



Welfare Reform Redesign Automation Plan



This automation project will significantly enhance the business operations automated processing capabilities of the FAA, the CCA and the JOBS Administration. The planning phase of the project was completed in July 1996, and the vendor selection phase will be completed in early 1998. The Business Process Reengineering (BPR) will be completed in late 1998, followed by the systems development testing and implementation phases. The "rule based" automated system to be developed will increase accuracy in



eligibility determination processes and maximize staff productivity. The project includes a BPR study to develop a new integrated business model for the three administrations and contains a transitional management component to assist employees in completing their job duties in the new business model. The project will be accomplished through a unique risk sharing/benefit sharing contracting and funding arrangement and includes the development of a benefits identification and validation metrics plan to determine the amount of administrative savings actually realized from the project. The administrative savings will be used as the basis for the vendor payments. Back to Table of Contents



Future Initiatives

q



Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)



DBME will reduce the cost of issuing food stamps and TANF cash assistance benefits by converting to an EBT method of issuance. Planning for the project was completed in fiscal year 1997. A contract was signed in October 1997 with Citibank EBT Services to provide EBT services for the program. A pilot program will be conducted in Pima County in May and June 1998, with statewide roll out completed in fiscal year 1999. The objective of the project is to reduce the administrative costs of benefits issuance. Estimated savings beginning in State fiscal year 2000 will be $320,000 per year in State-appropriated funds and $2,700,000 per year in federal funds. Ferret out Fraud, an Arizona Initiative to Combat Fraud, Waste and Abuse The Department was awarded a grant beginning in August of 1997 and renewable for three years by DHHS, Administration on Aging, to implement a program designed to support efforts in reducing fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid. Administered by the Division of Aging and Community Services, Aging and Adult Administration, the program will be implemented statewide utilizing both existing volunteer networks and new, specially-trained volunteers to identify and report instances of health care fraud, waste and abuse. The program will operate cooperatively with Arizona Operation Restore Trust (ORT), a federal initiative which is a partnership between the DHHS Office of the Inspector General, Health Care Financing Administration and Administration on Aging. Other partners include the Office of the Attorney General, AHCCCS Administration and the insurance companies, which act as payers of claims for Medicare beneficiaries. Savings of up to $500,000 per year are anticipated from the initiative based on ORT's experience. JOBS Case Management Privatization The Department is required by Senate Bill 1357 to contract for case management services to assist recipients of cash assistance under the TANF program with finding employment. Contracts with providers for case management services necessary to operate the JOBS program are required to be in place no later than July 1, 1998. Contracting for case management services will assist the Department in better integrating services with the communities in which TANF participants reside. Involving local communities in the provision of services to cash assistance recipients is an important part of the Department's effort under Arizona's EMPOWER initiative to be more efficient, effective and inclusive in its approach to service delivery.



Back to Table of Contents



Awards

Spirit of Excellence Award The Spirit of Excellence awards were established in 1993 by the Governor of the State of Arizona to recognize State agencies, teams and individuals who bring quality and excellence to State of Arizona government. Nominations are evaluated by a panel representing the public and private sectors. This year the Department received five team awards in the Governor's Award category and ten team awards in the Recognition Award category: Governor's Award

q q q q q



ESTEEM (Excellent Staff Through Example, Education, Motivation) � DBF WRRAP (Welfare Reform Redesign Automation Project) � DBME, DERS, DDA JOBS Administration Policy Revision Team � DERS AWARDS Project Team (Arizona Working for Accuracy, Recognition and Dollar Savings) � DBME Records Center Re-engineering and Implementation Team � DBF



Recognition Award

q q



q q q q q q q q



Employer Reporting � DCSE Office of Program Evaluation/Family Assistance Administration Quality Control Review Panel � DESS, DBME New Hire Reporting Team � DCSE Licensure for Community Residential Setting Reference Manual � DDD Refugee Resettlement Program � CSA Working for Success � DERS Mail Operations Team � DBF One-Stop Implementation Team � DERS, DDA "Working for Success � We're Getting the Job Done" Conference and Awards Ceremony � RSA Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Human Service Licensing � DDD



Back to Table of Contents



Statistics



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY COMPARISON BETWEEN ARIZONA AND UNITED STATES POPULATION For the Calendar Years Ended December 31



Percentage Change in Arizona Population Year Arizona Population United States Population 242,321,000 244,534,300 246,820,200 249,402,000 252,131,000 255,028,000 257,783,000 260,341,000 262,755,000 265,284,000 5.11% 2.27% 2.23% 1.76% 2.34% 2.44% 2.59% 2.85% 3.86% 5.52% 1987 3,459,900 3,538,400 3,617,300 1988 3,680,800 1989 3,767,000 1990 3,858,900 1991 3,958,875 1992 4,071,650 1993 4,228,900 1994 4,462,300 1995 1996



Percentage Change in U.S. Population 0.90% 0.91% 0.93% 1.05% 1.09% 1.15% 1.08% 0.99% 0.93% 0.96%



Source: The United States Bureau of Economic Analysis; and the Arizona Department of



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY COMPARISON BETWEEN ARIZONA AND UNITED STATES PER CAPITA INCOME For the Calendar Years Ended December 31 Percentage Percentage Change in Change in Arizona Per Capita Income U.S. Per Year Arizona Per Capita Income U.S. Per Capita Income Capita Income



1987 $ 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996



14,524 15,061 15,639 16,265 16,755 17,492 18,194 19,153 20,421 20,989



$



15,638 16,610 17,690 18,666 19,201 20,146 20,809 21,699 22,788 24,231



3.82% 3.70% 3.84% 4.00% 3.01% 4.40% 4.01% 5.27% 6.62% 2.78%



4.91% 6.22% 6.50% 5.52% 2.87% 4.92% 3.29% 4.28% 5.02% 6.33%



Source: The United States Bureau of Economic Analysis.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY EXPENDITURES BY FUNCTION AND FUNDING SOURCE (GOVERNMENTAL AND EXPENDABLE TRUST FUNDS)



For the Fiscal Years Ended June 30



HEALTH AND WELFARE:



Year 1988 $ 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997



State Funds 230,181,600 256,721,500 275,996,200 316,315,000 343,758,700 360,053,000 353,782,600 372,114,400 386,169,400 370,757,400



Federal Funds $ 404,764,912 456,550,960 587,861,220 737,106,621 888,109,515 1,097,998,692 1,111,025,346 1,129,460,885 1,092,763,240 1,072,660,950



Other Funds $ 154,905,000 172,486,608 143,559,128 189,889,787 306,811,857 258,209,249 238,523,964 240,231,124 225,288,163 216,699,361



Total Funds $ 789,851,512 885,759,068 1,007,416,548 1,243,311,408 1,538,680,072 1,716,260,941 1,703,331,910 1,741,806,409 1,704,220,803 1,660,117,711



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Office of the Budget, Unaudited, 1988 - 1992; Audited Annual Financial Report, 1993; and Audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Note: The Federal Funds amounts include amounts for food stamps distributed.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY REVENUES BY FUNDING SOURCE (GOVERNMENTAL AND EXPENDABLE TRUST FUNDS) For the Fiscal Years Ended June 30



HEALTH AND WELFARE:



Year



State Funds



Federal Funds



Other Funds



Total Funds



1988 $ 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997



230,181,600 256,721,500 275,996,200 316,315,000 343,758,700 360,053,000 353,782,600 372,114,400 386,169,400 370,757,400



$ 404,764,912 456,550,960 587,861,220 737,106,621 888,109,515 1,097,998,692 1,111,025,346 1,129,460,885 1,092,763,240 1,072,660,950



$ 154,905,000 172,486,608 143,559,128 189,889,787 306,811,857 258,209,249 238,523,964 240,231,124 225,288,163 216,699,361



$ 789,851,512 885,759,068 1,007,416,548 1,243,311,408 1,538,680,072 1,716,260,941 1,703,331,910 1,741,806,409 1,704,220,803 1,660,117,711



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Office of the Budget, Unaudited, 1988 - 1992; Audited Annual Financial Report, 1993; and Audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Note: The Federal Funds amounts include amounts for food stamps distributed.



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY COMPARISON BETWEEN ARIZONA AND UNITED STATES UNEMPLOYMENT For the Calendar Years Ended December 31



Year 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996



Number of Unemployed Arizona 101,000 104,000 89,000 96,000 100,000 135,000 113,000 126,000 107,700 123,900



Number of Unemployed - U.S. 7,425,000 6,701,000 6,528,000 6,874,000 8,426,000 9,384,000 8,734,000 7,996,000 7,404,000 7,236,000



Unemployment Rate Arizona 6.30% 6.30% 5.20% 5.30% 5.60% 7.50% 6.20% 6.30% 5.10% 5.50%



Unemployment Rate - U. S. 6.20% 5.50% 5.30% 5.50% 6.70% 7.40% 6.80% 6.10% 5.60% 5.40%



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Research Administration, Economic Analysis; the



WEFA Group; and the United States Department of Labor, Monthly Labor Review.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FINANCIAL TRANSACTION SUMMARY For the Fiscal Years Ended June 30



Year 1987 $ 1988 1989



Total Employer Contributions 130,816,065 126,174,650 121,797,545 $



Total Benefits Paid 129,789,560 131,339,314 144,604,029 $



Trust Fund Balance 444,654,221 478,542,876 498,579,399



1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996



118,315,651 178,838,516 247,003,400 253,105,103 236,679,799 240,046,970 227,644,491



186,334,666 284,071,670 302,845,834 239,102,230 173,313,680 177,748,807 172,323,921



473,972,183 406,935,508 372,205,292 412,794,159 504,536,522 613,437,439 711,845,399



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Unemployment Insurance Transaction Summary Report.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY FOOD STAMP PARTICIPANTS As of and for the Fiscal Years Ended June 30



Year



Average Monthly Number of Households 72,501 86,056 104,550 129,922 160,498 175,686 186,714 182,782 161,415 141,981



Average Monthly Number of Persons 217,392 254,389 301,744 369,392 443,310 480,865 510,477 494,637 434,542 385,061



Average Monthly Average Monthly Allotment Allotment Person Household $ 158.94 163.44 176.34 186.53 187.12 186.92 190.10 195.05 200.91 199.34 $ 53.01 55.29 61.10 65.61 67.75 68.29 69.53 72.08 74.63 73.50



Average Monthly Coupon Issuance $ 11,523,126 14,065,039 18,436,629 24,234,784 30,032,306 32,838,478 35,494,355 35,651,359 32,429,993 28,302,483



1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Family Assistance Administration.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)* As of and for the Fiscal Years Ended June 30 Average Monthly Number of Cases 32,739 36,467 43,075 51,997 63,015 Average Monthly Number of Recipients 95,115 106,382 123,965 148,258 178,900 Average Average Monthly Monthly Payment Per Payment Per Case Recipient $ 255.08 256.33 255.92 257.96 304.63 87.80 87.87 88.93 90.47 107.30 $ $ $ $ $ Average Monthly Payments 8,351,132 9,347,533 11,023,778 13,413,246 19,196,299



70,452 73,470 73,277 67,784 57,526



197,543 205,203 201,019 183,274 155,037



315.48 300.32 296.57 292.15 296.30



112.51 107.52 108.11 108.05 109.94



$ $ $ $ $



22,226,198 22,064,301 21,731,910 19,803,335 17,045,065



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Family Assistance Administration.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY STATE-FUNDED GENERAL ASSISTANCE As of and for the Fiscal Years Ended June 30



Year 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997



Average Monthly Number of Recipients 4,891 5,289 6,232 7,171 9,116 9,109 9,855 7,618 6,655 3,631



Average Monthly Payment Per Recipient 156.95 155.53 154.51 159.00 148.36 146.78 147.63 143.73 141.97 147.25



Average Monthly Payments 767,590 822,606 962,918 1,140,123 1,352,449 1,337,067 1,455,003 1,094,888 944,841 534,679



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Family Assistance Administration.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND BASIC SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM COMPARISON OF PARTICIPANTS AND PARTICIPANTS EMPLOYED TO THE PERCENTAGE RETAINED For the Fiscal Years Ended June 30



Year 1991 1992 1993 1994



Number of Participants 3,507 9,390 9,905 11,446



Total Employed 606 1,489 1,880 2,445



Percentage Retained After 90 Days N/A 67% 65% 75%



1995 1996 1997



19,544 21,263 21,734



3,984 5,905 7,433



66% 72% 57%



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Administration. Note: The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training program started in fiscal year 1991.



Back to Table of Contents



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT COLLECTIONS For the Fiscal Years Ended June 30



TANF Collected Year for Arizona 1989 $ 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 4,615,140 5,415,297 7,095,200 10,603,300 15,404,200 20,679,000 23,813,000 23,226,800 25,042,400



TANF Collected for Other States $ 1,955,101 2,443,148 2,970,089 3,867,800 4,151,500 4,756,100 5,025,800 5,893,600 6,142,200



Non-TANF Collected for Arizona $ 19,940,662 21,239,870 25,289,765 31,259,700 46,880,600 53,339,400 65,478,200 86,903,200 103,245,200



Non-TANF Collected for Other States $ 3,321,411 4,218,085 5,397,716 6,701,100 8,561,800 11,696,800 12,983,200 13,220,700 12,632,300



Total Collections $ 29,832,314 33,316,400 40,752,770 52,431,900 74,998,100 90,471,300 107,300,200 129,244,300 147,062,100



Source: The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Enforcement. Note: Data prior to 1989 is not available. The fiscal year 1996 amounts have been revised for updates to the source.



Back to Table of Contents



A p p e n d i x A: Children & Family Services Training Program Fund Status Report



ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES (ACYF) CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES TRAINING PROGRAM FUND STATUS REPORT



To improve the quality of services provided to children and families, the Department offers ACYF staff a comprehensive child welfare training program. Training goals include: 1. developing training based on clearly identified training needs;



2. using child welfare best practices and state-of-the-art methodologies; 3. emphasizing cultural diversity; 4. integrating family-centered child welfare best practices consistent with existing national standards; 5. accepting and supporting comprehensive competency-based training. 6. promoting and facilitating the transfer of knowledge, skills and awareness from the training site to the job site; 7. supporting the professional growth and development of ACYF staff; 8. involving field staff in decision making on training issues; and, 9. revising training based on assessment of effectiveness through a continual evaluation process. ACYF conducts core training for case managers and supervisors using curricula endorsed by the Child Welfare League of America. One and two-day advanced in-service workshops are conducted during the year in several locations throughout the state. The Department encourages staff to attend community workshops as well as pursue a bachelor's or master's degree to further improve the quality and professionalism of services.



SUMMARY OF ACYF TRAINING SFY 1997 Type of Training Case Manager Core Case Manager for Supervisors Supervisor Core Parent Aides Core Workshops Conferences Number of Modules Number of Days Number of Classes Started 8 2 2 1 10 2 22 4 4 5 1-2 2-3 9 4 2 1 25 2



NOTE: Training costs are paid by the Child Protective Services Training Fund, Title IV-E training reimbursements of federal grant funds. New case managers received the Introductory Guide which includes readings and assignments to observe specific activities of experienced staff. The Introductory Guide is intended to be completed within the first month of employment.



New supervisors at the time of hire receive a New Supervisor Handbook which provides basic guidelines to begin the job.



SUMMARY OF ACYF STAFF TRAINING, CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS FOR SFY 1993-1997 TRAINING Case Manager Core (2 weeks) Case Manager Specialized (2 weeks) Case Manager Core (8 modules) Case Manager Core for Supervisors Supervisor Core Parent Aide Core Advanced Workshops and Conferences Supervisor Conference Out-Service Workshops Tuition Reimbursement Management Development SFY93 121 139 26 N/A 30 46 837 60 558 164 30 SFY94 N/A N/A 87 N/A 37 47 1011 61 612 94 18 SFY95 N/A N/A 179 N/A 31 48 1686 49 408 122 N/A SFY96 N/A N/A 136 N/A 80 42 1374 59 649 144 N/A SFY97 N/A N/A 204 80 27 22 1033 52 531 285 N/A



NOTE: The number of persons starting Case Manager Core, Case Manager Specialized, Supervisor Core, and Parent Aide are unduplicated. The number of persons attending workshops, out-service training and tuition reimbursement, however, is a duplicate count since the same person may have attended more than one workshop or attended more than one college class. Back to Table of Contents



A p p e n d i x B: Housing Assistance Program THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REPORT STATE FISCAL YEAR (SFY) 1997



The 1989 Legislature, through House Bill 2620 (Chapter 121), enabled the Department of Economic Security, Administration for Children, Youth and Families (DES/ACYF) to provide special housing



assistance to eligible families with open Child Protective Services cases. This report reflects the program's usage from July 1996, through June 1997 (SFY 97). The law provides that a family may qualify for the special housing assistance if: 1. A child is in the custody of the department pursuant to a court order; 2. A child is in out-of-home care; 3. A housing problem is the primary barrier which prevents reunfication; 4. The Case Plan documents the housing problem and plan for self-sufficiency; 5. Assistance cannot exceed $300 a month for a continuous period of 6 months. During SFY 97, $90,693 was expended from state funds for utilization in ACYF's housing assistance program. The availability of this program enabled 193 children from 92 families to be reunited. If these children had remained in out-of-home care throughout the duration for which housing assistance was provided, an estimated additional $202,301 would have been expended by the ACYF in maintenance costs for the out-of-home placements. Arizona's Housing Assistance Program has received national recognition. It has been cited in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee by the Atlanta branch of the General Accounting Office. Arizona's Housing Assistance Program was also selected by the American Public Welfare Association for presentation at one of their national conferences. Since its inception in 1989, the program has been a major contributing factor in the reunification of 1,435 children with 669 families. Program expenditures for the period 1989 through 1997 have totaled $737,684. If not for this program, the department would have incurred estimated expenditures of an additional $1,513,362 for the same time frame to provide out-of-home care for these children. Back to Table of Contents

[Privacy]



Back to Director's Message



Back to DES Reports



Back to DES Home Page