Planning and Control

To maintain an effective system of planning and control in conformance with the County Management System.

Standards

• Performance Charter: A performance Charter with standards of performance is maintained currently for the Agency.

• Budgets: An efficient, uniformly understood budgetary system will be established and reported against monthly for each organizational unit of the Agency.

• Objectives and Standards: Specific, quantified, measurable objectives will be developed for all major functions of the Agency, and will tie in directly to resource levels. Standards of Performance indicating acceptable evidence of achievement will be developed for each objective.

• Action Plan: Action Plans will be developed annually for key objectives as part of the budget process and during the year as necessary to take advantage of the Agency's most significant opportunities and serve to remedy its most serious deficiencies.

• Performance Measurement: Information on actual performance will be reported and evaluated monthly against the standards of performance in this Performance Charter and against established objectives, standards and action plans. Periodic performance review conferences will be held for each organizational unit with the Director.

• Evaluation: Performance contracts based on objectives and/or action plans will form the basis for semi-annual evaluations. Staff evaluations approximate a normal distribution.

Organizing and Leading

To maintain an efficient organization which fosters improved levels of performance.

Standards

• Organization Structure: An up-to-date organization chart will be maintained for the Agency.

• Delegation: Commensurate authority will be delegated to each unit and/or administrator and will be committed to writing.

• Communication: Effective communication will be maintained. Staff meetings are held at least monthly; appropriate information will be routed to each employee on a regular basis.

• Productivity: Measurement of performance will indicate annual improvement in service efficiency and effectiveness.

• Development: Training will be provided periodically to all staff, based on individualized development plans.

Benefit Programs

To ensure that eligible members of the community maintain at least a minimum subsistence level through receipt of timely, properly determined benefits under the TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and Home Energy Assistance programs.

Standards

• Timeliness: Benefits are provided to 90% of eligible program applicants within federally prescribed time-frames.

• Accuracy: Continuing eligibility is reviewed on 95% of caseload due within federally prescribed time-frames; error rates for all programs do not exceed federally established tolerances.

• Service Provision: Casework demonstrates professional competency in addressing client needs; outreach is sufficient to ensure 95% of eligible population receives program assistance to meet nutrition, clothing, housing, health, and energy related needs.

Case Management Services

To assist individuals and families to move toward self-reliance by providing and/or arranging for cost effective shelter, employment and training, child support enforcement and other case management services.

Standards

• Timeliness: Crisis intervention, emergency assistance, and assistance to the homeless is provided within 24 hours of request; a 24 hour hot-line is maintained to ensure access to services.

• Accuracy: A Family plan will be developed on all active AFDC cases and for all low income families who request assistance; Family plans will identify need to enable individuals and families to become increasingly self-reliant. Referrals are made to appropriate service providers within the community; case review and follow-up ensures service delivery.

• Service Provision: Through the WFNJ case manager in both the Elizabeth and Plainfield sites, a wide array of social services is made available to individuals and families. Service objectives permit eligible individuals to obtain adequate medical care, prevent institutionalization, neglect, abuse and/or exploitation of adults and children; and provide opportunities for training and employment.