Department of Human Services

Overview

Population Growth of Seniors in Utah

Data Source: DHS

Why this is important:

According to the 2000 census, Utah has the sixth most rapidly increasing population age 65 and older in the nation. The predicted aging of the state is a situation that has been created by two main factors; 1) the increase in longevity due to better health, sanitation, nutrition and medicine and 2) the baby boomer group reaching retirement age. There is a concern that without planning toward the future; the predicted growth of those needing services will overwhelm the existing programs currently being provided. There is a need to invest in planning and designing better ways to articulate the impact the aging of Utah 's population will have upon the current service delivery systems, while at the same time maintaining a solid foundation of current services for existing individuals over the age of 65.

What we're doing about it:

The Division of Aging and Adult Services, along with many community partners are actively engaged in addressing these future issues. Some of the things currently being done are;

• The Division is working with the Utah State Legislature Medicaid Interim Committee on identifying long term care strategies and programs.
• The Utah Commission on Aging is continuing its work on identifying issues and strategies across public and private entities, in anticipation of the increased demographics.
• The Division is taking the lead on completing the 2030 Project which was initiated by the Commission on Aging. This project involves each State governmental agency under the Executive branch to assess the impact of the increase in the aging population to their agency and identify strategies to address those impacts.

Child Support Collections

Data Source: DHS

Why this is important:

The mission of the Office of Recovery Services is to serve children and families by promoting independence through responsible parenthood and to ensure public funds are used appropriately. By doing so, this reduces costs to taxpayers such as a reduction in cost to public assistance programs and foster care. Providing child support services to families to enable them to remain intact and self supporting is a critical function to all Utah citizens.

The pie chart above reflects the current collections of the Office of Recovery Services for 2009 as follows; 178 million dollars collected and sent to children and families and six million recouped for services provided to children in state custody.

What we're doing about it:

The Office of Recovery Services (ORS) continues to return millions of dollars on Utah taxpayers' investment each year. ORS works within the bounds of state and federal laws and works with parents, employers, federal, state and private agencies, professional associations, legal profession and community advocates in order to accomplish their mission in a courteous and efficient manner. The Office of Recovery Services consistently looks for cost effective and efficient resources and methods to deliver their services without compromising customer service.

Child and Family Services

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Data Source: DHS

Why this is important:

The Division of Child and Family Services' is most often known in the community for investigating child abuse and neglect and/or placing children in foster care. The reality is the majority of the work and the critical mission of the division is to assist families in remaining together, reunifying and stabilizing whenever possible.

Home based services are the preferred service when families need extra help and support because they are the least intrusive means of keeping children safe while preserving the family. The types of services provided under Home Based are; voluntary or court ordered family preservation, counseling, and prevention or home study services.

What we're doing about it:

The Division continues to strive toward providing effective home based services that keep children safe within their families whenever possible. All children need and are entitled to enduring relationships that provide a family, stability and belonging. Community partnerships and support are critical to the success of Utah 's families.

Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes

Data Source: DHS

Why this is important:

Substance abuse treatment improves the lives of individuals and the community as a whole. With treatment, individuals have a chance to become productive citizens, as evidenced by the percent employed and the decrease in criminal activity. Individuals commit crimes to support their substance abuse and end up in jails and prison, at a great cost to the state of Utah. Treatment has been found to be effective and at a lower cost.

What we're doing about it:

During the past 15 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women who have entered treatment programs as compared to men. There were 12,383 men admitted to treatment in 1991 compared to 11,742 in 2005; that is 5% decrease. For women over the same time frame, there were 2,679 women admitted in 1991 and 7,243 in 2005; this is a 170% increase. With methamphetamine use on the rise and the primary drug choice for women, female admissions have increased significantly. Some of the things we are doing are;

• Governor's Meth Task Force is addressing issues statewide, including the needs of Native Americans and a public awareness campaign. This is a partnership between local county government and state agencies.
• The Division of Substance Abuse & Mental Health in conjunction with the local authorities are teaming with the Division of Child & Family Services on serving women with children in order to limit or reduce the impact of children in foster care due to parent's substance abuse.
• The Utah State Legislature appropriated 2.5 million for women and children substance abuse treatment, 4.8 million for the drug offender reform act and 1 million ongoing and 1 million one time monies for drug court services.

Disabilities Services

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Data Source: DHS

Why this is important:

The Division of Services for People with Disabilities provides a cost effective alternative to a nursing home or intermediate care facility for Utahns with severe intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities or brain injury. These services allow individuals to remain at home with their own family or to live in an apartment or group home.

What we're doing about it:

The Division provides for an array of services that include supervision, support, training and companionship for Utahns with severe disabilities. Services are of two major types, either out of home or in-home. Residential services such as group homes, supervised apartments, professional parent and host homes make up the options for out-of home services. Services that help to preserve Utah families, include family support, respite, personal assistance, chore and homemaker services, supported living, supported employment, transportation and day services are known as in-home services. Over ninety percent of the people on the waiting list want in-home services. The cost in state general funds for a typical person to receive in-home services is $3,500 per person, while the average general fund cost of out-of-home services is around $18,500 per person. This may vary depending on individual needs. In most cases, a person who meets eligible for services also meets eligibility requirements to receive federal Medicaid funding. In Fiscal Year 2008, Medicaid funding provided three dollars for every dollar the state spent providing services to people with disabilities.

From fiscal years 2005 to 2009, Utah State Legislature appropriations allowed the Division to provide funding for between the top 10-25% of people waiting for services each year. In addition, in the 2006 session a supported employment pilot was approved that continued through 2008. The supported employment pilot focused on providing services for people with lower scores on the waiting list, as an early intervention program. A second pilot approved in the 2007 legislative session, known as the family preservation pilot, also focused on providing a time limited, early intervention/prevention program to individuals on the bottom of the waiting list.

The Department and Division continually seek input from various advocates, stakeholders and public policy makers on cost effective, early intervention concepts that may assist families and individuals to remain in the community with minimal supports in addition to seeking funding for the top tier of individuals waiting for home and community based services.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Consumer Satisfaction Survey

Data Source: DHS

Why this is important:

The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health is committed to ensuring effective treatment is provided to individuals receiving mental health and substance abuse treatment. One of the strategies in evaluating this is to conduct consumer satisfaction surveys.

What we're doing about it:

DSAMH takes the results of the surveys seriously and uses the feedback to improve services through the following actions:

• Establish target performance standards for each local mental health/substance abuse center to meet or exceed the national or state average.
• Use survey results in state oversight monitoring of local centers and use the information to access the quality of services and to help centers improve.
• Incorporate the survey results in DSAMH's balanced scorecard and in Local Authority (counties) and Providers (centers) reports. Trends and ideas for improvement will be included.