AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES' DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE AND POVERTY EXEMPTION.

OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ↓ (860) 240-0200

http: //www. cga. ct. gov/ofa

sSB-1199

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES' DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE AND POVERTY EXEMPTION.

Agency Affected	Fund-Effect	FY 12 $	FY 13 $
Children & Families, Dept.	GF - Potential Cost	3. 5 million	3. 5 million
Children & Families, Dept.	GF - Potential Savings	(3. 5 million)	(3. 5 million)
Children & Families, Dept.	NET IMPACT	0	0

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

It is anticipated that the bill will not result in a net fiscal impact to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) should the agency implement a differential response system. The cost of $3. 5 million annually to DCF would be offset by corresponding savings. This cost results from the statewide implementation of community-based service contracts (estimated at $0. 7 million per DCF region, of which there are five). It is anticipated that DCF will exercise the discretionary authority granted in the bill to establish a differential response system only when resources are available.

Should DCF implement this system, corresponding savings in direct service provision and/or state personnel would result, assuming that it successfully mitigates child abuse and neglect, diverting families from the child welfare system.

The Out Years

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.