Human Services Commission Approves OKDHS High Performance Expenditure Plan

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- The Oklahoma Commission for Human Services approved plans for using $9.1 million in federal high performance funds received this fall for program improvements made during federal fiscal year 2004.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Howard H. Hendrick recommended approval of three actions to the Commission for the use of the funds, which included:

• Pay a one-time $1,000 Federal Achievement Stipend to all permanent (including probationary) OKDHS employees with final eligibility details to be determined by the Director. Approximate state dollar cost is $3.9 million;
• Supplement Post Adoption Services for families, using up to $500,000; and
• Invest the balance in Information Technology Enhancements (E-Business initiatives). Approximate state dollar cost is $4.7 million.

The recommendations were unanimously approved.

All OKDHS permanent and probationary employees of record and in good standing on Oct. 27, 2005, are eligible to receive the federal achievement stipend. Those working under contract to the Department who are not employees of OKDHS will not be eligible to receive the stipend. It will take the OKDHS Finance Division approximately 12-15 working days to process and issue the funds.

The recommendation came after Oklahoma had been notified by several federal agencies that OKDHS would receive federal high performance bonus funds totaling $9.14 million. The funds are paid to states that make marked improvements in delivering programs and services to the citizens they serve.

Federal high performance funds generally follow federal program reviews of all states. Those making the greatest improvements in program operations and efficiencies earn the additional funds.

This is the second year that Oklahoma has received significant federal high performance funds. In 2004, Oklahoma received funds totaling $7 million for program high performances achieved in fiscal 2003.

“Our staff has done a tremendous job across all program areas under very difficult circumstances and this is just one way to show sincere appreciation for their efforts,” Hendrick said. “We continue to make program improvements, and we are doing them with a collective workforce a little smaller than it was just five years ago. This has occurred at a time when our caseloads are as high as ever.

“While the funds being given to employees are one time, my thanks for all the hard work they do each and every day to serve Oklahomans from every walk of life make me eternally grateful to them and for them. This is one recommendation I am thankful that the Human Services Commission received warmly.”

Oklahoma first uses the high performance funds, which become state funds once received, to match against other federal dollars, wherever possible. These funds can only be used for nonrecurring expenditures.

The Oklahoma programs that made marked improvements to receive the additional federal high performance bonus awards include, by source of funding:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services Bonuses–

• $2,806,674 for federal fiscal year 2004 for:
  • Program Outreach - Program Access Index increased from 96.6 to 120.6 from 2003 to 2004 (numbers constitute a ratio of participants to persons in poverty).
  • Timely Processing of Food Stamp Applications – OKDHS was listed in the top six in the nation at 97.18 percent timeliness.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Bonuses–

• $130,000 for federal fiscal year 2004 for increases in finalized adoptions.
• $6,202,744 for federal fiscal year 2004 for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for improvements made over federal fiscal year 2003:
  • $1,791,607 for improved wages for TANF recipients and longer lengths of employment after leaving TANF through the Success in the Workforce program;
  • $321,929 for child care access while paying market rates; and
  • $4,089,209 for improving access to food stamps among those eligible for TANF.

The total of all 2005 federal high performance bonus awards for Federal Fiscal Year 2004:

• $9,139,418 – This is a new record amount and a 30 percent increase over 2003.

Fiscal 2005 Numbers Are Looking Good Too –

OKDHS Record Performances, which are under review for state fiscal year 2005, include:

• Child Support collections reached a record $188 million – up 11 percent over last year’s record level.
• More than 16,000 paternities were established by CSED for state fiscal year 2005 – a record number.
• Monthly Average Food Stamp Participation for state fiscal year 2005 was higher than the record monthly average Food Stamp participation for federal fiscal year 2004, for which the Federal High Performance Bonus award was received.
• Two Star Child Care Centers increased over state fiscal year 2004, our previous record high.
• Monthly average Medicaid certifications for state fiscal year 2005 were at an all-time high exceeding the state fiscal year 2004 level, the previous record high.
• Three Star Child Care Centers increased over state fiscal year 2004, our previous record high.
• Developmental Disabilities Services served a record 4,448 persons in their community services waiver in June 2005, an increase of 4.2 percent over its previous record in June 2004.
• A record 7,918 children received an adoption subsidy in June 2005, an increase of 7.9 percent over the previous record in June 2004, and an increase of 56.5 percent over four years ago
• A record 77,436 Oklahomans who are elderly, have a disability or are blind were certified for our Aged, Blind and Disabled program, a 2.9 percent increase over the previous state fiscal year 2004 record.
• A record 15,771 seniors were certified during state fiscal year 2005 for the ADvantage Waiver program, eclipsing the previous record in 2003.
• Record numbers of referrals were handled for Child Welfare.
• Record numbers of referrals were handled for Adult Protective Services.
• Child Support Enforcement established paternity for more than 100 percent of the out-of-wedlock births.

“Our staff continues to perform at an exceptionally high level,” said Hendrick. “With record caseloads, the accuracy and timeliness of our service continue to improve. We trust that these efforts will grow stronger families and a brighter future for all of Oklahoma.”

###