Department of Services for the Blind

  Average Annual FTEs Near General Fund State Other Funds Total Funds
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Current Budget 80.3 14,448 27,785 42,233
2023-25 Maintenance Level 80.3 14,441 27,784 42,225
Difference from 2023-25 Original 0.0 (7) (1) (8)
% Change from 2023-25 Original 0.0% (0.0%) (0.0%) (0.0%)

2024 Policy Other Changes

Vocational Rehab Fund Adjustments 15.0 0 7,158 7,158
Youth Services Under 14 Staffing 0.70 0 0 0
2024 Policy Other Changes Total 15.7 0 7,158 7,158

2024 Policy Comp Changes

State Employee Benefits 0.0 6 0 6
Pension Rate Month of Death Bill 0.0 3 0 3
2024 Policy Comp Changes Total 0.0 9 0 9

2024 Policy Central Services Changes

CTS Central Services 0.0 35 0 35
DES Central Services 0.0 11 0 11
OFM Central Services 0.0 112 0 112
GOV Central Services 0.0 1 0 1
2024 Policy Central Services Changes Total 0.0 159 0 159
Total Policy Changes 15.7 168 7,158 7,326
2024 Policy Level 96.0 14,609 34,942 49,551
Difference from 2023-25 Original 15.7 161 7,157 7,318
% Change from 2023-25 Original 19.6% 1.1% 25.8% 17.3%

Policy Changes

CTS Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from Consolidated Technology Services (CTS) for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Cybersecurity, state network, enterprise and small agency IT services, enterprise architecture and data management, Microsoft 365 licenses, and other items. (General Fund - State)

DES Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for Capitol campus costs; real estate, risk management, and small agency services; the Perry Street and Capitol Campus child care centers; enterprise applications, and other items. (General Fund - State)

OFM Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Office of Financial Management for existing statewide applications, the One Washington program, and other central services. See Chapter 11 of the 2023-25 OFM Budget Instructions for allocation methodologies. (General Fund - State)

Vocational Rehab Fund Adjustments

Funding is provided to adjust expenditure authority to reflect current estimates of federal and local revenue. The funding includes a one-time transfer of federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) grant funds from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in federal fiscal year 2023, an ongoing adjustment to the VR grant allocation from 16 percent to 18 percent starting in FFY 2024, and an ongoing increase for local private donations. In addition, FTE authority is provided to hire 15 staff using the additional federal authority to assist with strategic initiatives to support business and community partnerships to increase workforce development opportunities for individuals who are blind or have low vision. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - Private/Local, General Fund - Local)

Youth Services Under 14 Staffing

FTE authority is adjusted to continue services to youth under the age of 14 who are blind or have low vision. The Department of Services for the Blind received funding to cover the cost of this staffing in the 2023-25 operating budget.

State Employee Benefits

Funding is provided to increase the retiree health insurance subsidy, adjusting the cap from $183 to $193 per month and raising the base subsidy percentage from 50 percent to 60 percent. The insurance funding rates are set at $1,145 per month for fiscal year 2024 and $1,158 per month for fiscal year 2025. (General Fund - State)

Pension Rate Month of Death Bill

Funding is provided for contribution rate impacts associated with proposed legislation that ensures the continuation of benefit payments through the end of the month in which a retiree or beneficiary dies. (General Fund - State)

GOV Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Office of the Governor for the Office of Equity. (General Fund - State)