SD14 - Joint Subcommittee Studying the Comprehensive Services Act and Comprehensive Services for At-Risk Youth and Families Programs


Executive Summary:
Background:

Senate Joint Resolution 96(2006) establishes a joint subcommittee to study the cost effectiveness of the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) and Comprehensive Services for At-Risk Youth and Families Program (the Program) and to collaborate with the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) regarding its evaluation of the administration of the CSA. The joint subcommittee is composed of two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and four members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; one nonlegislative citizen member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; two nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; the Commissioner of Social Services or his designee; and the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget or his designee. The Commissioner of Social Services or his designee, and the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget or his designee shall serve ex officio with voting privileges.

Pursuant to SJR 96, the study is to be conducted in two phases. In the first phase of the study, during the 2006 interim, the joint subcommittee (i) reviewed the administration of the CSA by state and local governments, including projections of caseloads, service needs and costs, and quality of services provided, and (ii) made recommendations for improvement of program services and strategies for cost containment. At the same time, JLARC was charged, pursuant to HJR 60 (2006) (Nixon) with completing a comprehensive study of the CSA and the Program. During the second phase of the study, during the 2007 interim, JLARC shall brief the joint subcommittee regarding its findings and shall assist the joint subcommittee in developing recommendations relative to collective findings and assessments regarding the administration of the CSA and the cost effectiveness of the Program. The joint subcommittee shall ultimately develop appropriate recommendations in consultation with JLARC. Throughout the process, the joint subcommittee and JLARC are tasked with working collaboratively to minimize duplication and fragmentation of effort.

The joint subcommittee was limited to four meetings in the 2006 interim and is limited to four meetings in the 2007 interim, with meetings to be concluded no later than November 30 of each year. The chairman of the joint subcommittee and the chairman of JLARC shall individually submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of their findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next regular session of the General Assembly for each year. Direct costs of the study shall not exceed $7,700 for each year without special approval as set out in the resolution. Of this amount, an estimated $500 is allocated for speakers, materials, and other expenses.