81-3129.

Program administration; services for clients; dedicated caseworkers; specialized department employees or units.

(1) The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide high-quality services for clients who apply for or receive benefits under public benefit programs administered by the department.

(2) The department shall utilize department caseworkers who are located in call centers, dedicated caseworkers, and specialized department employees or units who will provide in-person assistance to specific clients.

(3) Upon the request of the client, dedicated caseworkers shall, at a minimum, be utilized for persons with chronic physical or mental disorders and the elderly that require the provision of medical and personal care services on a recurring or continuing basis.

(4) Specialized department employees or units shall, at a minimum, be utilized for complex cases, including medicaid waiver cases, medicaid spousal impoverishment cases, disability cases, and other similar cases upon request of the client.

(5) The dedicated caseworkers and specialized department employees or units shall be placed in the existing local offices and shall be accessible to department caseworkers in call centers.