Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Monday, September 25, 2006
Contact: Mary Curtius 703-228-7943 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Arlington County Manager Unveils Preliminary Plan to Close Revenue Gap in Human Services
Proposal Preserves Critical Services for Individuals
ARLINGTON, VA – Arlington’s County Manager today unveiled a preliminary plan to suspend two human services programs and reduce dozens of others to close the revenue gap created by the recent loss of $7.5 million in state and federal funds for human services from the FY2007 budget.
The County Manager’s plan preserves critical services for the most vulnerable County residents, while scaling back prevention and intervention programs.
“Faced with the need to make unexpected and difficult cuts, we have come up with a plan that preserves the core of the excellent human services Arlington provides its residents and protects the most vulnerable among us,” said County Manager Ron Carlee.
Under the plan, both the Arlington Assisted Living (Oak Springs) supportive housing project and the new Adult Day Health Program at the Walter Reed Center will be suspended. In addition, Carlee has imposed a countywide hiring freeze – only positions essential for critical priorities, or positions funded by grants or fees will be filled. However, with few exceptions, DHS employees in good standing who face job loss will be offered other jobs with the County.
Arlington Action Comes in Response to State Suspension of LPACAP
The County Manager’s proposal is in response to the Virginia Department of Social Service’s recent suspension of the Local Public Assistance Cost Allocation Plan (LPACAP) for Arlington and Fairfax Counties.
The loss of LPACAP funds represents about 5 percent of the County’s $114 million human services budget. Arlington is pursuing other funding, but must make the necessary reductions soon in order to ensure that the County’s overall budget remains balanced.
The proposed plan scales back some prevention and intervention programs, increases caseloads and waiting periods, reduces staffing, and reduces the level of service for some. Wherever possible, incremental reductions have been made in larger programs.
Key Elements of the Plan
- Suspension of the newly planned Walter Reed Adult Day Health Center, the Arlington Assisted Living (Oak Springs) facility, and the development of permanent supportive housing units
- Reduction in administration such as management, business office, Web site, and other administrative supports
- Reduction of 30 (25 of which are filled) DHS positions
- Preservation of safety net of critical services – most of County’s 100 programs and services will be unaffected, current clients will still be served
- Reduction of some services, that will include: emergency needs assistance, in-home services for the elderly, substance abuse treatment, case management services for homeless persons, prevention programs in the schools, employment services, mental health services in the jail, rodent control.
Public Comment Welcome
The County Manager’s preliminary proposal will be available for a 30-day comment period before a final decision is made by the end of October. Employees who would be directly affected by proposed staff cut-backs have been informed and in most cases, will be offered other County positions.
Background
LPACAP is a methodology used for allocating administrative costs for specific federally funded human services programs. These plans are the basis for federal reimbursement of local administrative costs associated with these programs. LPACAP is submitted to the State for review and approval; local plans are considered part of the State cost allocation plan submitted to and approved by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Arlington and Fairfax Counties are the only Counties in Virginia with LPACAP funds.
At the urging of the State, Arlington developed a local reimbursement plan in compliance with State guidelines to enhance human services. The Virginia Department of Social Services notified the County on June 16, 2006 that all local plans had been suspended, because the State had to rewrite its State cost allocation plan to meet federal guidelines.
The suspension was not based on any actions by the County or on the County’s administration of the program.
You can read the County Manager’s Preliminary LPACAP Revenue Gap Plan on the DHS Web site.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
