Details of Calif.'s proposed social service cuts
The Associated Press
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating or severely cutting spending for non-federally mandated social programs for the poor, elderly and disabled. These are among the proposals that would have the most profound effects:
_ Eliminating California's version of the welfare-to-work program known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The move would save the state $1.3 billion in the coming fiscal year by taking away cash assistance and job training for 546,000 families.
_ Ending Healthy Families, California's version of the federal government's State Children's Health Insurance Program, which is designed for children from families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. An estimated 1 million children would be affected. The Schwarzenegger administration says ending the program will save California more than $300 million in the new fiscal year.
_ Eliminating home care for 404,000 elderly and disabled residents, maintaining care for only 60,000 of the most frail under the In-Home Supportive Services program. The Schwarzenegger administration estimated a savings of $537 million.
_ Lowering the maximum amount the state is willing to contribute to its share of caregiver wages from $10.10 an hour to $8.60 under the In-Home Supportive Services program, to save $124 million. Wages are paid using a combination of local, state and federal money and vary by county. Counties can continue paying caretakers above the $8.60 rate by using local and federal money.
About 60 percent of caregivers are relatives of recipients, according to the state Department of Social Services.
_ Reducing child welfare services by 10 percent for a $70 million savings. The state has about 77,000 foster children, some placed with relatives and some with foster family agencies or group homes. The state would target foster family agencies and group homes for the cuts.
_ Reducing the contribution to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides treatment and prevention for those with HIV/AIDS, by $55.5 million.
_ Phasing out college-fee assistance for a $173 million savings.
Published: Sunday, June 7, 2009 11:54 PDT
The Associated Press
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating or severely cutting spending for non-federally mandated social programs for the poor, elderly and disabled. These are among the proposals that would have the most profound effects:
_ Eliminating California's version of the welfare-to-work program known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The move would save the state $1.3 billion in the coming fiscal year by taking away cash assistance and job training for 546,000 families.
_ Ending Healthy Families, California's version of the federal government's State Children's Health Insurance Program, which is designed for children from families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. An estimated 1 million children would be affected. The Schwarzenegger administration says ending the program will save California more than $300 million in the new fiscal year.
_ Eliminating home care for 404,000 elderly and disabled residents, maintaining care for only 60,000 of the most frail under the In-Home Supportive Services program. The Schwarzenegger administration estimated a savings of $537 million.
_ Lowering the maximum amount the state is willing to contribute to its share of caregiver wages from $10.10 an hour to $8.60 under the In-Home Supportive Services program, to save $124 million. Wages are paid using a combination of local, state and federal money and vary by county. Counties can continue paying caretakers above the $8.60 rate by using local and federal money.
About 60 percent of caregivers are relatives of recipients, according to the state Department of Social Services.
_ Reducing child welfare services by 10 percent for a $70 million savings. The state has about 77,000 foster children, some placed with relatives and some with foster family agencies or group homes. The state would target foster family agencies and group homes for the cuts.
_ Reducing the contribution to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides treatment and prevention for those with HIV/AIDS, by $55.5 million.
_ Phasing out college-fee assistance for a $173 million savings.
Published: Sunday, June 7, 2009 11:54 PDT
Comment