Title
From the Interim Director, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), requesting authorization to create 4 Disability Benefits Specialist positions in the Disabilities Services Division (DSD) effective February 21, 2011. (Referred to the Committees on Finance and Audit, Personnel, the Department of Administrative Services, and Division of Human Resources.)
Body
REQUEST
The Interim Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services is requesting the creation of four Disability Benefits Specialist positions to be assigned to the Disability Resource Center (DRC).
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
In 2010, the Disabilities Services Division (DSD) began operating the DRC, which provides information and referral services to consumers with disabilities, ages 18 to 59. The DRC also assists consumers in understanding the long-term care options available to them and helps people apply for programs and benefits.
As one of the primary services provided by the DRC, the Disability Benefits Specialist (DBS) program is a required service for all State funded, certified Aging and Disability Resource Centers throughout Wisconsin. The DBS program assists all Milwaukee County residents who are interested in seeking and obtaining private or public benefits such as Family Care, Family Care Partnership, Supplementary Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Medicaid or other benefits for which they are eligible. Program attorney services are also provided through a contract between the State Department of Health Services (DHS) and Disability Rights Wisconsin attorneys.
In 2010, DSD contracted out the DBS function and expected to do so in the 2011 Budget. However, DSD now plans to perform this function utilizing County staff rather than a vendor due to program oversight concerns, closer working relationships with economic support staff as well as continuity of communication with other DRC staff and outside attorneys. By operating this...
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