BILL NUMBER: S9898
SPONSOR: ZELLNER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to caseload stand-
ards for preventative services caseworkers
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
To establish a caseload standard for preventative services caseworkers
within local departments of social services.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS::
Section 1: amends section 20-a of the Social Services Law to provide
that such section will not apply to any regulations establishing case-
load standards promulgated pursuant to section 421 of the Social
Services Law.
Section 2: amends 153-k of the social services law to require the state
to pay for 100k of costs associated with compliance of this provision,
however, counties must maintain last year's level of preventative
services funding.
Section 3: amends section 421 of the Social Services Law by adding a new
subdivision 9 to create caseload standards for local social service
district preventative services caseworkers of no more than 12 families
per full-time caseworker.
Section 4: effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
In 2006, the Legislature required the Office of Children and Family
Services (OCFS) to commission a report to determine best practices for
caseloads for child protective services, preventative services, and
foster care services employees within local departments of social
services. While the report recommended optimal levels, no law has ever
been enacted to implement these recommendations. Based on this report
and other best practice data from across the country, this legislation
would require OCFS to issue a regulation that would limit caseloads for
full-time preventative service employees within local social service
districts to no more than 12 families.
Data continuously shows that lower caseloads for employees leads to
better outcomes for the children and family they are interacting with as
well as better outcomes for the workforce. Lower caseloads allow a case-
worker tc spend more time on each case, provide better assistance to
youths and their families. In addition, it has been shown that high
caseloads are the top preventable reason for the voluntary resignation
of caseworkers in social service departments. This legislation will help
alleviate some of the stress that these caseworkers face on a daily
basis while ensuring families and youths in their care receive the time
and attention that they need.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
None.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect on the seven hundred thirtieth day after it
shall have become a law

Statutes affected:
S9898: 20-a social services law, 153-k social services law, 153-k(1) social services law, 421 social services law