The voluntary buyout will be based on years of state service, 18 months of employee-only health premiums, next longevity payment and the accumulated vacation hours. For employees taking the offer, their last day will be March 15.

While the buyout applies to all staff, it will be up to the managers to select the number and type of positions to eliminate.

“I am extremely proud of our dedicated DHS employees,” Lake stated. “Year after year, they have responded to reductions in the workforce by taking on more and trying to ensure that our clients do not suffer. However, at some point, there is a human limit to what they can continue to do at the same level of quantity and quality.”

In addition, DHS has a hiring freeze for all positions except for child-welfare workers, is reducing budgets and reserve accounts for certain services and will cut all contracts by 3 percent and those spending below the contracted amount.

The cuts will not apply to fixed-rate contracts or to Medicaid waiver services in Aging or Developmental Disabilities Services.