OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 ↓ (860) 240-0200
http: //www. cga. ct. gov/ofa
sSB-156
AN ACT CONCERNING SIBLING VISITATION FOR CHILDREN IN THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
OFA Fiscal Note
Agency Affected |
Fund-Effect |
FY 13 $ |
FY 14 $ |
Children & Families, Dept. |
GF - Cost |
None |
3. 0 million |
Note: GF=General Fund
Explanation
There is a $3. 0 million cost in FY 14 to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) anticipated with the establishment, beginning 10/1/14, of minimum sibling visitation requirements of at least one visit per week for separated siblings placed in DCF care and custody, unless DCF determines such visits are not in the best interests of the child. This cost reflects expenses associated with case worker aide or social worker assisted transportation, mileage reimbursements, and travel costs. These costs vary based on where siblings reside.
Costs associated with siblings that reside within the state are estimated at $61,000 for 9 months of FY 14. 1 Costs associated with out-of-state children placed within 50 miles of Connecticut are estimated at $920,000 for 9 months of FY 14. 2 Costs associated with out-of-state children placed beyond 50 miles of Connecticut, but that are still within the New England region, are estimated at $392,000 for 9 months of FY 14. 3 Costs associated with out-of-state children that require air travel when visiting siblings are estimated at $1. 6 million for 9 months of FY 14. 4
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of separated siblings and their locations.
1 This assumes two hours of case worker aide services at a mid-range cost of $23. 25 per hour ($3,627 per child annually) and mileage reimbursement of $0. 51 per mile with an average weekly roundtrip travel of 40 miles (1,061 per child annual) and 35 separate siblings annually. As of December 2011, 91. 8% of DCF siblings were placed together and it is anticipated that 95. 0% will be placed together by 10/1/14 and approximately 35 separated siblings will require DCF transport and associated services.
2 This assumes five hours of case worker aide services at a mid-range cost of $23. 25 per hour ($6,045 per child annually) and mileage reimbursement of $0. 51 per mile with an average weekly roundtrip travel of 120 miles ($3,182 per child annual) and 133 separate siblings annually. As of 3/1/12, of the 193 out-of-state DCF children, 133 children reside within 50 miles of Connecticut.
3 This assumes 8 hours of case worker aide services at a mid-range cost of $23. 25 per hour ($9,672 per child annually), 4 hours of case worker aide services at a mid-range at time and a half ($7,254 per child annually), and mileage reimbursement of $0. 51 per mile with an average weekly roundtrip travel of 300 miles ($7,956 per child annually). As of 3/1/12, of the 193 out-of-state DCF placements, 21 children reside beyond 50 miles of Connecticut, but within the New England region.
4 As of 3/1/12, of the 39 out-of-state DCF children that would require air travel for sibling visitation, 36 are over 15 and could fly alone. The remaining three children would require an adult to travel with them. The travel cost for children over 15 for 9 months of FY 14 assumes weekly travel costs of $700 for a total cost of $983,000 for 36 children annually. The $244,764 annual cost for the three children that must fly with an adult assumes weekly travel costs of $1,300 for the child and their social worker and social worker services at a mid-range cost of $33. 0 per hour for 24 hours a week ($124,000).