DFCS could face layoffs

Madison County Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) director Lisa Plank fears layoffs could be in store for her department, though she stressed that she’s received no word from the state yet to that effect.

“They haven’t said that yet,” Plank said Dec. 18 at the DFCS board meeting, “but it is a distinct possibility.”

Madison County DFCS likely won’t know anything until the state legislature reconvenes in January.

Until told otherwise, Madison County DFCS staff will continue to take one furlough day a month, except for May and June when workers will take two furlough days.

But Plank said she’s very concerned that the state will be forced to find another way to compensate for the lack of funding.

“Because I think the state has tried everything they can as far as cutting budgets,” she said. “People at the state office have been laid-off; there’s furlough days for employees. There’s just not the revenue to support it.”

If Madison County DFCS does lose personnel, it could have an effect on what services it can provide. Some contingency plans may mean that the DFCS office won’t open everyday.

“We do a lot of resources, referrals, things like that, but if we lose staff, we’re not going to be able to support that as much,” Plank said. “We’re not to be here to be able to be here to do as much in the community as we once were able to. And that’s been really hard for my folks who have worked here and are a community resource.”

WORKLOAD INCREASING

Meanwhile, Madison County DFCS’s Office of Family Independence (OFI) — which distributes such aid as food stamps and Medicaid — is struggling keep pace with increased demand for services as people struggle financially.

“It’s OFI that’s really struggling right now,” Plank said. “And that’s state-wide.”

That’s especially true of metro-Atlanta area DFCS offices.

Plank said that counties like Gwinnett, Fulton, DeKalb and Rockdale, have long lines forming before those DFCS buildings open at 8 a.m.

In fact, Gwinnett County’s DFCS office has been shut down by the fire marshal because too many people are in the lobby.

“They’ve been overrun,” Plank said.

As for Madison County, the situation is not as dire yet, but hectic nonetheless, and the latest stat report reflects the increased workload.

Plank noted that in November of last year 1,300 Madison County residents were on food stamps. That number grew to 1,650 this past November.

The state mandates that at least 97 percent of food stamp applications of those who have at least some income must be completed within 30 days.

Madison County DFCS wasn’t able to process the required number of applications on time last month.

“It’s just related to staff shortages and just the increased volume in work,” Plank said.

The office has had similar problems with Medicaid applications.

To help remedy the areas of increased paperwork — especially if layoffs come — the state may mandate more over-the-phone and Internet services.

In Florida, many of the OFI responsibilities are handled through a call center.

“People rarely see a worker,” Plank said.

Georgia appears to be headed in that direction, especially in areas like periodic food stamp reviews. Food stamp recipients currently make regular office visits to re-file applications and any paper work regarding employment and expenses.”

“In Florida, a lot of that is handled through a call center, like Dial America,” Plank said.

And some DFCS offices in the state have already gone that route.

A person can place a call to a center in Atlanta, where the application is processed and sent to the intended county’s DFCS offices.

“So it reduces some of that initial coming into the office,” Plank said.

Plank said that by March all six-month food stamp reviews state-wide will be handled by call centers.

“They’ll do the changes and folks won’t even have to come into the office,” Plank said.

BUDGET SAVING

The local DFCS office continues to conserve money in lean times.

With the year almost over, Madison County DFCS has spent only 43 percent of its funding from the county.

“Our county budget only goes through December, so we are in excellent shape,” Plank said.