REST (Random Employee Sampling Technique) is a time study completed by DCF staff. RMTS (Random Moment Time Study) is completed by Child Welfare Case Management Provider (CWCMP) staff. In these studies, agency and Child Welfare Case Management Provider (CWCMP) staff document time they spend working on case related activities. These results are included in the formula for the DCF Cost Allocation Plan which is used to calculate the federal funds received for DCF programs, including IV-E administrative and training costs.
Eligibility for federal reimbursement of administrative costs has a close relationship to the REST and RMTS surveys. When customers are eligible for federal sources of funding, federal financial participation (FFP) is available for the salaries of the staff serving those customers. In order to claim the FFP for staff (administrative and training) costs, DCF must determine the amount of time staff spend administering the different programs.
REST/RMTS are techniques developed to save staff the administrative burden of completing comprehensive time logs. The concept uses statistical techniques to sample "random moments" of time. REST /RMTS greatly reduces the paperwork required of staff. Federal reimbursement for worker's salaries is captured by a very small sample of "moments".