Comments on GAO Report on the Administrative Efficiency of the Aid to Families With Dependent Children Program in Contra Costa County, California (HRD-78-159)

All States operate an Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program which is administered at the county level. The objective of the review was to assess the administrative efficiency of the AFDC program at the operational level by applying systems analysis work measurement techniques. Contra Costa County, California was selected as a study site because it is a large county as defined by the cost control program and caseload data. Although cost control has increased AFDC worker productivity in terms of higher average caseloads, it has not resulted in all counties reaching their optimum level of administrative efficiency. A relatively high rate of inefficiency was found in the county's administration of the AFDC program. Management lacked adequate information to determine reasonable workload and staffing standards for the intake and continuing functions. The county did not have a formal work measurement program. The need for improving the administrative efficiency of the AFDC program is not unique to Contra Costa County. Requiring states to utilize certain management techniques for improving administrative efficiency would result in a more efficiently administered program.