Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell proposed adding 645 positions to the state’s 100,000-plus work force in the next fiscal year, and his health and human resources secretary says the state could save money if it reduces overtime pay and does more of its own work in-house. Nearly three-quarters of the new jobs would go to Health and Human Resources departments, including 399 positions at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, which provides services for mental health and substance abuse issues.
| Proposed new positions — Health and Human Resources | |
| Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Service | 399 |
| Department of Health | 67 |
| Department of Social Services | 44 |
| Department of Medical Assistance Services | 19 |
| Department of Rehabilitative Services | 2 |
| Source: Virginia Department of Planning and Budget | |
The slight increase in the state’s government work force comes after reductions of about 600 state worker jobs in the fall of 2009, and about another 600 in 2008.
McDonnell wants $7.1 million to address staffing ratio issues at training centers, and $182,000 to establish a statewide medical director and a quality management position in Central Office. Another $2.4 million is proposed for the expansion of behavioral health services at Tidewater/Eastern State Hospital, and $463,000 is proposed for the addition of six licensing positions in the department.
The state also plans to hire more people to improve health services. $14.9 million is slated for quality of care in state facilities in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Department; for example, $2 million is included in the governor’s budget amendments to maintain the operation of the geriatric unit in the Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.
Part of the proposed moves, though, are related to another one of McDonnell’s pet issues — government efficiencies.
Budget cuts thinned the ranks of the state work force, forcing the state to pay more for overtime work, said Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Hazel. The state also outsources a lot of its computer work, he added.
“We believe it is more cost-effective to bring them … in-house,” Hazel said.
For example, the governor is proposing $1.5 million in savings in the Department of Social Services by cutting overall administration by 7.7 percent and bringing the department’s training program in-house.
Other staff could be added to help administer programs for which the state receives federal funds, Hazel said. “We have to hire people to do those things,” he said.
