January 25, 2023
DSS team members,
Your leadership has continued to work diligently on your behalf, ensuring that there is a clear understanding of the unique challenges and needs of this department and our valuable teams. We have continued to advocate on your behalf for better pay, flexibility, improved technology, and the resources and tools you need to do your job well.
I am pleased to say that we are seeing direct results from these efforts, and the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2024 executive budget released last week includes many initiatives that will better serve DSS team members, our local communities, and the citizens we serve. In fact, of his $50 billion state spending recommendation, a total of $16.4 billion is directed to the Department of Social Services to help support services to the more than 2 million Missourians we serve.
I can assure you that your DSS team will continue to work tirelessly in order to communicate our needs and urge appropriators in the General Assembly to pass these budget priorities quickly and entirely and we continue to offer updates as they become available.
Yours In Service,
Robert Knodell
Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Highlights
Improving the Lives of Our Team Members
- Governor Parson has continued his commitment to growing state employee wages to be more consistent with non-government employers. He has recommended an 8.7% increase for all employees, and an increase in shift differential pay to $2.00 per hour for team members working outside of the day shift in our DYS facilities. This was included as part of an early supplemental budget request and the Governor has requested swift approval with an implementation goal of March 1, 2023 (which, if passed, would be represented on paychecks issued March 31, 2023).
- In addition, health insurance premiums will be held flat for state team members for another year to help ensure that proposed increases are not offset by rising premiums.
- The Governor also placed the needs of our DSS team members who serve Missouri’s most vulnerable children and those who are responsible for resuming Medicaid annual renewals front and center. While reducing authorized personnel by 200 positions across all of state government, Governor Parson has recommended $22 million and 100 new caseworker positions in our Children’s Division. A recommendation is also included for $16.8 million for to contract for Medicaid annual renewal support resources to reduce the burden on DSS team members tasked with this effort.
- An additional $3.2 million investment in talent development is recommended to improve the quality and availability of employee skill development opportunities for our state workforce.
- Missouri’s state-owned or operated facilities have aged significantly since the last time repairs and investments were adequately funded. The Governor has recommended $234 million to be allocated to the state’s Facilities Maintenance and Repair Fund to help provide needed improvements, including potential facility updates and safety and security needs.
Improving Lives in Our Communities
- While Missouri voters approved an initiative to expand access to Medicaid health insurance, it highlighted the critical need for expanded access to actual care services and health providers. The Governor has allocated $15 million for rural health hubs to provide care services, $3.9 million to train additional Certified Nursing Assistants, and $1.2 million to establish a long-term master plan on aging. Governor Parson also included funds for a 13% increase to residential care providers and additional funds for expanded for adoption and foster care subsidy costs.
- Providing long-term supports to help with the needs of Missouri children and youth is a key highlight for the Governor’s budget. The Governor highlighted the need for supporting low-income working families through a $78 million investment in Missouri’s child care system. In addition to fully funding the school funding formula and establishing a $250 million rainy day fund for Missouri schools, the recommended budget also includes an additional $56 million for early childhood education, $50 million for school safety needs, and $71 million more for colleges and universities.
Improving the Lives of Our Customers and Clients
- Our nation is facing an unprecedented need for physical and mental health services, and many of those in need of these services are citizens receiving supports from DSS. Governor Parson has recommended $88 million for MO HealthNet participants to access mental health services, and $4.4 million to improve Missouri’s efforts to prevent maternal mortality.
- The Governor also recommended $3.4 million for youth behavioral health liaisons to connect them with resources across the child welfare system, juvenile justice system, DSS, and care providers.
- While there are needs for repair and maintenance at all DSS facilities, the priority to address the most pressing health and safety needs of our team members and youth is paramount. The Governor has recommended $7.2 million to replace the current DYS Hogan Street facility in St. Louis.
For more information about the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, visit the Office of Administration's Budget Information website.
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