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Department of Social and Health Services - Vocational Rehabilitation

  Average Annual FTEs Near General Fund State Other Funds Total Funds
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Current Budget 320.1 53,653 110,047 163,700
2025-27 Maintenance Level 320.1 54,625 110,516 165,141
Difference from 2025-27 Original 0.0 972 469 1,441
% Change from 2025-27 Original 0.0% 1.8% 0.43% 0.88%

2025 Policy Other Changes

Federal Funding Adjustment 40.0 0 16,000 16,000
Tribal Vocational Rehab. Support 0.0 1,100 0 1,100
2025 Policy Other Changes Total 40.0 1,100 16,000 17,100

2025 Policy Comp Changes

WFSE General Government 0.0 2,035 0 2,035
Non-Rep General Wage Increase 0.0 303 0 303
Updated PEBB Rate 0.0 (100) 0 (100)
PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase 0.0 40 0 40
Pension Benefit Amortization 0.0 (144) 0 (144)
2025 Policy Comp Changes Total 0.0 2,134 0 2,134
Total Policy Changes 40.0 3,234 16,000 19,234
2025-27 Policy Level 360.1 57,859 126,516 184,375
Difference from 2023-25 40.0 4,206 16,469 20,675
% Change from 2025-27 Original 12.5% 7.8% 15.0% 12.6%

Policy Changes

Federal Funding Adjustment

Funding is provided to adjust expenditure authority to reflect current estimates of federal revenue for the Vocational Rehabilitation Basic Support grant and authority for 40 FTEs to serve additional clients. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - Local CRC Oregon, General Fund - Medicaid Federal, other funds)

Tribal Vocational Rehab. Support

Funding is provided for grants to federally recognized Tribes in Washington to support culturally appropriate vocational rehabilitation services and adaptive technologies for Tribal members with disabilities who are seeking employment. It is estimated that 261 Tribal members will benefit from these services. (General Fund - State)

WFSE General Government

Funding for bargaining includes a 3%/2% general wage increase, targeted job classification increases, wildfire disaster leave, expanded bereavement leave, and paid vaccine travel time during pandemic emergencies. The agreement also includes: an additional $1 per hour supplemental shift premium for eligible employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are performed on location on evenings and weekends; 5% premium pay for employees who are assigned to a 24/7 facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, at-risk youth, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location, which will be in effect for the 2025–27 biennium; three additional steps on the nurse salary schedule; and an increase to the annual lump-sum payment for employees in LNI risk codes 7200/7201 from $500 to $750. (General Fund - Local CRC Oregon, General Fund - Medicaid Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)

Non-Rep General Wage Increase

Funding is provided for wage increases for state employees who are not represented by a union or are not under a bargaining agreement that is subject to financial feasibility determination. It is sufficient for a general wage increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2025, and a general wage increase of 2%, effective July 1, 2026. This item includes both general government and higher education workers. (General Fund - Local CRC Oregon, General Fund - Medicaid Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)

Updated PEBB Rate

This item adjusts the employer funding rate for public employee insurance benefits to reflect policy-level decision packages. It increases the rate by $8 per month in the first fiscal year and decreases the rate by $34 per month in the second fiscal year, compared to the maintenance-level update, for a total rate of $1,315 in the first year and $1,355 in the second year. (General Fund - Local, General Fund - Private/Local, Traumatic Brain Injury Account - State, other funds)

PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase

An adjustment is made for pension contribution rates, including to fund a benefit increase of 3%, up to a maximum of $110 per month for eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members. (General Fund - Cash, General Fund - Medicaid Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)

Pension Benefit Amortization

An adjustment is made to the base pension rates, as set out in a proposed bill addressing the calculation of the base rate for the 2025–27 biennium, as well as amortization of Plan 1 benefit increases. (General Fund - Local, General Fund - Private/Local, Traumatic Brain Injury Account - State, other funds)