To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Add seven (7) Social Workers, one (1) Social Work Supervisor I, and one (1) Clerk-Experienced Level to provide support for the Aging and Adult Bureau to provide support for the Employment and Human Services Department
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 26562 to add seven (7) Social Worker (X0VC) (represented) positions at salary plan and grade 255 1434 ($7,046 - $8,564), one (1) Social Work Supervisor I (X0HB) (represented) position at salary plan and grade 2I5 1582 ($8,158 - $9,916), and one (1) Clerk-Experienced Level (JWXB) (represented) position at salary plan and grade 3RH 0750 ($4,424 - $5,489) in the Employment and Human Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this item will result in cost increases of up to $1,176,362 annually and a cost increase of up to $588,185 for FY 2025-26, and will be funded by 48% Federal, 47% State, and 5% County funds, specifically, with the In-Home Supportive Services allocation.
BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa County has incurred over $1 million in penalties for cases not timely completed in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program. The Contra Costa County IHSS Program is experiencing a severe workload increase, particularly in Community First Choice Option (CFCO) cases. Over the past three years, caseloads have risen 29%, while staffing has grown only 9%, leaving the Division understaffed. This has resulted in 2,933 overdue CFCO reassessments and $1,180,192 in penalties assessed from July through November 2025. With penalties set to double to 6% of provider wages in July 2026, additional staff are urgently needed to reduce the backlog, ensure compliance, and maintain timely services for vulnerable clients.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without approval to add a new unit of Social Workers, a Social Work Supervisor, and a Clerk, the County will remain understaffed, unable to eliminate the backlog, and at risk of escalating State-imposed penalties. This continued understaffing threatens operational efficiency and compromises timely service delivery, exposing IHSS clients to significant hardship and the County to further financial liability. Approving these positions is critical to achieving compliance, protecting the program’s clients, and safeguarding the County’s fiscal stability.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This supports four of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (2) "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (3) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and
(4) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”