Department of Social Services

Line Item	Description	FY01	FY05	H1 for FY06	House Budget for FY06
4800-0038	Services for Children & Families	0	261,576,384	270,467,488	271,459,996
* FY05 numbers are current through April 19, 2005.

This chapter focuses on the House of Representatives’ FY06 budget recommendations for programs serving persons with disabilities within the Department of Social Services (DSS). For additional information on the impacts of FY01–FY05 budget cuts and more details about program services, go to the People First website at www.mass.gov/mddc/peoplefirst/index.html and click on the DSS chapter in the Volume I table of contents.

HOUSE BUDGET OVERVIEW

The House budget proposal for total DSS funding in FY06 is $ 28,544,346 (4.0%) above the final FY05 budget and $6,438,348 above the governor’s H1 recommendations. Both budgets, according to DSS agency staff, would essentially provide for maintenance of services.

Currently, DSS is engaging in a system-wide initiative to change its service delivery system from a highly structured residential system to a more flexible system designed to maintain children in their community. According to key advocates, DSS is planning a budget-neutral process for this major restructuring of its $300 million service system.

Line Item Analysis

Account: Services for Children and Families
Line Item: 4800-0038

The Services for Children and Families account funds a wide range of services, including essential mental health and substance abuse services, to provide the supports and resources necessary for biological, foster, and adoptive families to care for their children. Children entering the foster system often have unaddressed medical and mental health needs.

Line Item	Description	FY01	FY05	H1 for FY06	House Budget for FY06
4800-0038	Services for Children & Families	0	261,576,384	270,467,488	271,459,996
* FY05 numbers are current through April 19, 2005.

FY06 Needs

Advocates say that foster families and post-adoptive families need improved access to a range of clinical interventions and respite services, including services for unaddressed mental health and other medical needs. These services will help sustain the success of these placements. Teen pregnancy advocates recommend earmarking $2.6 million (level funding) for the Young Parent Support Program, which serves teen parents with mental health, trauma, homelessness, and substance abuse issues.

House Budget Recommendations

The House budget proposes an increase of $ 9,883,612 (3.8%) over the FY05 funding level. This amount is $ 992,508 more than in H1 for FY06.