State social services field staff can telework about 70% of the time through December under a new ruling.
Department of Social Services
Posted inGovernment
Long lines for free food persist more than a year into the pandemic, causing concern among advocates
While food insecurity remains high, the state is not seeing a corresponding increase in food stamp recipients.
Posted inGovernment
CT distributing pandemic food aid for children to some, but not yet all, eligible households
About 80,000 Connecticut families must wait to receive money to make up for meals kids no longer receive at school.
Posted inGovernment
Deidre Gifford, top Medicaid official, named to lead DSS
Dr. Deidre Gifford, a physician and top federal Medicaid official, is the governor’s choice to oversee social services in Connecticut.
Posted inHealth
Lawmakers, Malloy administration wrangle over telemedicine
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s congressional delegation is at odds with the Malloy administration over its failure to apply for an expansion of the HUSKY program that would give low-income residents access to new telemedicine services, especially for psychiatric care and substance abuse treatment.
Posted inHealth
State delays controversial electronic system mandate for home health care
The state Department of Social Services has agreed to postpone the rollout of a new electronic system for home health agencies after an outcry among providers and threats to drop clients on Medicaid.
Posted inHealth
Home health agencies seek delay for electronic system
Home care agency leaders say a new electronic system the state’s Medicaid program requires them to use has been beset by problems and has led some agencies to consider phasing out service to Medicaid clients. But the state agency overseeing it says anecdotal information suggests it could be improving services.
Posted inHealth
Home care agencies warn new system could cause major problems
Starting Jan. 1, the state will begin requiring home care workers to use a new electronic system for reporting the time they spend caring for certain clients – a change forecast to save the state millions of dollars. But home care providers worry problems could leave them unable to make payroll. And one major agency says it will refuse to use the new system.
Posted inHealth
DSS’s long-awaited computer fix finally arrives, starting today
The mainframe computer system underpinning operations at the state Department of Social Services is so old, there are few people left who know how to fix it. It’s been blamed for stymieing the agency’s ability to handle programs that serve nearly 1 million people. As its replacement launches in part of the state today, officials say some growing pains are expected.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
State worker layoffs continue at three agencies
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration continued to issue layoff notices Tuesday to state employees, serving pink slips to clerical staff in the Department of Social Services, according to a source close to the affected workers.
Posted inHealth
On second try, legislators approve outsourcing plan for brain injury program
Legislators voted Monday to allow the state to move toward outsourcing case management work in a Medicaid program for people with acquired brain injuries, four months after rejecting a similar proposal.
Posted inHealth
Wait-listed: Budget woes blamed for delays serving people with brain injuries
Twenty-five people are on the waiting list for services under a state-run program for people with acquired brain injuries that has 13 open slots, and advocates say the state is violating the terms of the program by not filling them. State officials dispute that, and say they lack the funding and staff to fill the program.
Posted inHealth
Social Services Commissioner Bremby doesn’t get Kansas job
Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby won’t be leaving Connecticut for a post in Kansas. Although Bremby was a finalist to become city manager of Lawrence, Kan., the city commission selected another candidate Thursday.
Posted inHealth
DSS Commissioner Bremby a finalist for Kansas post
State Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby is one of three finalists to become city manager of Lawrence, Kansas, where he once served as assistant city manager.
Posted inHealth
Thousands of Obamacare customers at risk of losing coverage or subsidies
More than 7,000 customers of Connecticut’s health insurance exchange must provide additional documentation to maintain their coverage or the tax credits that subsidize their premiums – a process that has already led to confusion and, in some cases, lost coverage or subsidies, exchange CEO Jim Wadleigh said Tuesday.