Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-53-.04

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 660-5-53-.04 - Monitoring And Correcting Implementation

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Chapter, the responsibility for compliance with these caseload standards rests exclusively with the State of Alabama, and not with any individual employee or agent of the State of Alabama, including, without limitations, child welfare workers, line or program supervisors, county supervisors, county directors or assistant directors, state office employees or the Commissioner. Nothing in this Chapter imposes any requirement on any individual worker, supervisor, direct care staff, clerk or clerical worker or other employee denominated in Sections 660-5-53.01-01 ER through 660-5-53.03-.03 ER. Due to a variety of factors, including, without limitations, increase in cases, attrition, resignations, retirements, terminations and leave, from time to time the caseload and staff allocation standards will be exceeded. A county of the State which exceeds the standards of this Chapter is not in violation of any provision of this Chapter so long as the county complies with the provisions of subsection (3) of this Section 660-5-53-.04 -.04ER.

(2) The processes of increasing or decreasing staff and evaluating the need for adjusting staff allocations and caseloads in accordance with this Chapter by those or any other means are and shall remain discretionary functions requiring the exercise of judgment by those employees of the State involved in making such decisions in the administration of the Department.

(3) Monitoring the implementation of the caseload standards shall be accomplished in the following manner.

(a) Each county shall, on a monthly basis, determine the average caseload for each standard component (e.g., family services, foster care, supervisors) and document each worker's average caseload during the month.

(b) Each county shall report 3 months of caseload data by worker and a quarterly average on the quality assurance reports.

(c) Counties that have more than 10% of workers who exceed the standard caseload, or who have a quarterly average that exceeds the standard for a component, will file an exception report identifying the reasons for the assignment of caseloads over standard and the actions that will be taken to correct the situation during the next 30 days.

(d) If a county reports in excess of the standard for 2 consecutive quarters, the State Department and County Department shall collaborate to analyze the problem and determine what factors are creating the overload.

(e) Corrective action shall be taken on the analysis within 30 days, including increasing the county staff allocation if it is determined that the caseloads in excess of the standard are a result of increasing incidence and demand.

Author: Brenda J. Gore

Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-53-.04

New Rule: Filed March 8, 2005; effective April 12, 2005.

Statutory Authority: R.C. v Walley, No 88-H-1170-N, Consent Decree (M.D. Ala. Approved December 18, 1991); R.C. v Walley, No 88-D-1170-N, Consent Decree (M.D. Ala. Approved January 12, 1998); R.C. v Walley, No 2:88cv-1170-D, Consent Decree (M.D. Ala. Approved December 13, 2004).