DOS executive director flags state funding opportunities, APS caseload surge

Executive Director Kelly Dearman told the DOS commission that the Governor's May Revise included several items that could affect local aging and disability services, highlighting a $10 million one-time Community Living Fund, a transfer of caregiver resource center oversight with $14.9 million and $545,000 ongoing for statewide training, $3.5 million one-time for ombudsman outreach, $400,000 ongoing for emergency preparedness focused on older adults and people with disabilities, an additional $66 million for county Medi-Cal operations (including expansion to individuals over 50 regardless of documentation), and $92.5 million to continue the Home Safe program through 2024. "As soon as we find out what our allocation will be, we will let you know," Dearman said.

Dearman also summarized Adult Protective Services (APS) operational data: APS receives on average 774 reports per month, reported volumes rose after the presumptive eligibility age dropped from 65 to 60 in January (now about 90 new reports per month included in the monthly totals), and out-of-hours reports have increased 17% since February 2019, with nearly 3,000 out-of-hours reports in 2021. She described APS as a 24/7 service that deploys protective-service workers at any hour to assist vulnerable residents.

Commissioners thanked staff and acknowledged the high demand on APS and partner programs. Dearman said local allocations tied to the May Revise were not yet known and staff will report back once amounts are confirmed.

Next steps: Staff will track state budget allocations, report San Francisco's shares when available and continue monitoring APS workload and staffing impacts.