Upon approval of this action, the annual cost will be offset by the cancellation of one vacant Eligibility Worker II position, and two vacant Eligibility Worker III positions, resulting in a net annual salary and benefit cost increase of $51,809, with pension cost of $18,132 included. These positions will be funded with 44% Federal, 45% State revenue, and 11% County General Fund revenue resulting in an annual net county cost of $5,697. The net County cost for the remainder of FY 2018/2019 will be $2,848. There is no impact to the County General Fund as the action cost will be funded within the Department's current allocation.

Employment and Human Services Department has identified a need to add three Social Casework Assistants in the Children and Family Services Bureau. The Department has also identified three vacant Eligibility Worker II/III positions that will be cancelled to offset the salary and benefits costs. Social Casework Assistants perform services such as visitation supervision, parent training, home visits, transportation, relative notification, family finding, and placement support; all of which are mandated services for Child Welfare. These mandated services meet the "reasonable efforts" findings in court hearings, and assure the Department has met its legal obligation in assisting families and their children.  
  
The Continuum of Care Reform passed by the State Legislature is a major initiative to place children in a family setting rather than residential group care. In order to comply with the mandates of this legislation, the Department needs to build an infrastructure for a robust recruitment, family finding and respite program. Social Casework Assistant will perform these functions for the agency while allowing Social Workers to focus on family service delivery and risk assessment.