The 1977 Program: In fiscal year 1977 most States will be in their third cycle of preparing their services plan with public participation. It is anticipated that the citizenry of each State will become more familiar with the public review process and that there will be a continuous improvement in States capability to adjust the services program to meet the needs of the community.

Technical and program assistance will be provided to States in the development of their services plans, and service delivery mechanisms. A program of monitoring and program review will be carried out to assure that the specific conformity requirements and requirements for Federal financial participation are met.

An integral part of the Title XX legislation is the requirement for ongoing evaluation of the Title XX program. By July 1, 1977, a special report on the effectiveness of the program covering calendar years 1975 and 1976, together with any recommendations for improvement, will be submitted. This is in addition to the annual report to Congress on the results of ongoing evaluation.

Prior to July 1, 1977, the study of the appropriateness of the Federal Interagency Day Care Requirements must also be submitted to Congress. Issues concerning adult-child ratios, requirements for environmental standards, educational services, social services, health and nutrition services, training of staff, parent involvement, administration and coordination, and evaluation need to be addressed in the appropriateness study and report to Congress.

During 1977, the Social Services Reporting Requirements adopted under Title XX will be operational. This system is designed to provide management information required for Federal reporting and program management.

The 1977 estimates are based on States' August 1975 estimates and additional funding required for program expansion anticipated as a result of giving States greater flexibility in defining services and in including broader groups of persons eligible for services. A continuing assessment of States' funding requirements will take place throughout the year, and such reports will be submitted to Congress quarterly.

24

Listed below are the estimated distribution of Federal costs for fiscal years 1975, 1976 and 1977.

Federal Costs

1975

1976

1977

25

1/ In 1975 Federal costs for service to income maintenance recipients included costs for services provided to former and potential recipients, some of whom in 1976 and 1977 will most likely be included in the other recipient categories authorized under Title XX.

2/ Excludes $440,802,000 fiscal year 1976 funds used to complete fiscal year 1975 requirements.

Listed below are the estimated recipients months of service provided during fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977.

1/ In 1975, recipient months of service for Income Maintenance category
included months of service provided to former and potential recipients,
some of whom in 1976 and 1977 will most likely be included in the
other recipient categories authorized under Title XX.

The 1975 and 1976 Programs: Fiscal year 1976 saw the beginning of the new program of social services to individuals and families authorized by Social Services Amendments of 1974, which included the establishment of a new title, Title XX. This new program replaced the services program authorized under Titles IV-A and VI of the Social Security Act. (In Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the social services program is still authorized under Titles I, IV-A, X, XIV and XVI.) Title XX introduced to both the Federal and State governments an entirely new approach to the administration of a public social services program. Key features of the legislation include the mandated open planning process with public review of the State's Comprehensive Annual Service Plan, and each State's freedom to identify and describe the services it will offer and the categories of eligible individuals, and when and where it will deliver services.

During 1975, States went through the detailed process of developing the Title XX services plan. Technical assistance was provided to States with respect to their services program planning for the first program Such efforts included the development of guides designed to enable States to move quickly into the planning process.

year.

In compliance with Title XX legislation, States submitted their Administrative State Plans to the Social and Rehabilitation Service for approval. Proposed Annual Comprehensive Services Plans were published for citizen review and comment, and final services plans became effective on October 1, 1975. These plans are in operation in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. With the implementation of Title XX, States began phasing out their services programs authorized under Titles IV-A and VI.

Under Title XX legislation, child day care facilities receiving Federal funds must meet the Federal Interagency Day Care Requirements. These requirements have occasioned much interest by the public and members of Congress. The Congress temporarily postponed the effective date of some of these requirements, with respect to Title XX, to January 31, 1976. The Department looks forward to close cooperation with the Congress in considering the effect of the requirements.

The new law required all States to offer in each geographic area at least one service directed toward the five goals stated in the law, as well as three services for recipients of Supplemental Security Income. In addition, States were required to offer and provide, if requested, family planning services to AFDC recipients.

Title XX legislation provides that States must impose income-related fees for services if the family gross monthly income is more than 80 percent of either the State or National median income of a family of four, whichever is less, adjusted to family size. Federal financial participation is not available if the family income is above 115 percent of such median income. As indicated in their Comprehensive Annual Services Plans for the first program year, 29 States are charging

26

fees for services, of which 25 States charge for some services and 4 States charge for all services; 19 States are providing services only to individuals with family income below the 80 percent level and charging no fees. Information is not available on the three remaining States.

The services selected by the States in their first year plans show great diversity, and yet many of the basic services provided under the former titles continue to be offered. They include child day care services, protective services to children and adults, foster care services, health related services and many others.

In 1976, technical assistance is also being provided to States in the development of their second year planning process to assure that efficient and effective social services are delivered to eligible recipients. Efforts have been made to provide for greater involvement of city and county governments in Title XX planning for second year requirements.

The Administration is proposing legislation for a $2.5 billion Federal Assistance for Community Services bloc grant program. This program would be a modification of the current Title XX social services program which would retain the public planning requirement but remove many of the Federal restrictions and prohibitions.

27

The 1962 Amendments to the Social Security Act authorizes 75 percent Federal financial participation in costs associated with providing training to public assistance staff and persons preparing for employment in public assistance agencies. The 1967 Amendments to the Act require that States provide for the use of volunteers, and training and effective use of subprofessionals as community aides. Provision is made for orientation, continuing training and educational leave for employees, and grants to educational institutions and stipends for education and training of individuals preparing for employment in public assistance agencies.

The 1974 Social Services Amendments gives statutory authority for personnel training and retraining directly related to the provision of social services authorized under Title XX, and includes both short and long-term training at educational institutions or by direct financial assistance to students enrolled in such institutions, and in-service training. The Title XX program provides for training personnel employed by the Title XX Agency, volunteers attached to the Agency, and service delivery personnel of provider agencies who have a current purchase of services contract with the Title XX agency. Federal financial participation may be claimed at the 75 percent rate.

The following table reflects State and Local Training estimated program costs for fiscal years 1975, 1976 and 1977.

Total costs......

.... $51,417 215,000 $53,156 1/ 205,200 $60,000 212,200

1/ Excludes $11,816,000 fiscal year 1976 funds used to complete fiscal year 1975 requirements.

28