HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09161997 - D2 f
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
F&HS-02 Contra
o
FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE iQ Costa
County
DATE:
September 8, 1997
SUBJECT:
STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WELFARE REFORM IN
CALIFORNIA AND IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. RECEIVE an oral report from the Social Service Director at the Board meeting
on September 16, 1997 regarding the status of the implementation of welfare
reform in California and in Contra Costa County. REQUEST the Social
Service Director in making this oral report to identify those issues that will be
a particular problem in this County. For example, referrals to mental health
and substance abuse are required for some clients, but the County may not
have adequate resources in place to handle these referrals and may have
insufficient funds to expand the current resources.
2. ACCEPT the written report on welfare reform from the Social Service Director
dated September 3, 1997 which has been provided to each Board member.
3. DIRECT the County Administrator to schedule a Workshop with the Board of
Supervisors on Tuesday, October 28, 1997 on welfare reform so the Board is
more fully aware of the implications of welfare reform on the County and the
potential impact of welfare reform on the County Budget and other programs.
4. AUTHORIZE the Social Service Director to hold evening Public Forums in
East County, Central County and West County to obtain input from the public
on the content of the County's Plan for implementation of welfare reform in
Contra Costa County.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S): MARK DeSAULNIER DONNA GERBER
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ---------- ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED September 16, 1997
Contact: PHILZBATCHEL , K OF THE BOARD OF
cc: County AdministratorSUPNTY ADMINISTRAT R
Social Service Director ,
Sara Hoffman, Senior Deputy County Adq istr t
istine Wampler
F&HS-02
5. REQUEST the Social Service Director to design a mechanism and single
point of contact for receiving, evaluating and responding to suggestions and
comments from the general public regarding welfare reform and advise Board
members of the contact person for these suggestions and comments.
BACKGROUND:
On July 8, 1997, the Board of Supervisors approved a report from our Committee
which asked the Social Service Director to make a further report to our Committee
on this subject in July on what the State welfare reform design will look like once it
is enacted by the Legislature. However, consideration of welfare reform became one
of the major stumbling blocks to approval of the State Budget. Therefore, Mr. Cullen
asked that his report on this subject be delayed until September. The basic welfare
reform legislation has been enacted. It was AB 1542, which has been signed into
law by the Governor and is now Chapter 270, Statutes of 1997.
On September 8, 1997, our Committee met with Mr. Cullen and Christina Linville, the
Project Manager for Welfare Reform in the Social Service Department. The report
Mr. Cullen and Ms. Linville reviewed with our Committee outlines the tremendous
amount of work that has to be completed in the very near future in order to meet the
deadlines which are contained in AB 1542. The five-year lifetime limit on the receipt
of CalWORKS funds, which is the name for the program which is replacing AFDC
and GAIN, begins on January 1 , 1998. The County must have a Plan developed
with public input, approved by the Board of Supervisors and filed with the State in
December 1997.
In preparing this Plan, public input will be an important consideration. In order to
actually impact the content of the Plan, public forums must be held within the next
few weeks. We are suggesting that three such forums be scheduled in various parts
of the County. We are asking that the Central County forum be located in Walnut
Creek in order to be more accessible to South County residents as well as Central
County residents.
We would urge the Board members to read this report in some detail in preparation
for a Workshop which we are recommending the Board schedule in October so the
Board members are familiar with this entirely new program which will be
implemented and can begin to focus on the implications and impacts which
CalWORKS will have on the County, the County Budget and the community at large
as we move rapidly from a welfare grant system to a welfare-to-work system.
-2-
r CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Social Service Department
DATE: September 3, 1997
TO: Family & Human Services Committee
FROM: John Cullen, Director
,J
SUBJECT: Welfare Reform
Since our last meeting, the California State Legislature has passed AB 1542 and the Governor
has signed this legislation which sets in motion a process and program to replace Aid to Families
with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Greater Avenue to Independence (GAIN) in California.
The Social Service Department envisions that "welfare reform" implementation will take a
number of years. As we begin implementation of these changes in Contra Costa County, the
Department plans to capitalize on successes this past year in redesigning programs to become
more employment focused. Additionally, we will continue to involve our line staff, managers,
local service providers, and the community at large, as we define and implement these major
service-delivery changes. As part of this process, we will regularly present information about
implementation efforts to the Family & Human Service Committee.
Attached you will find a primary document entitled "State Welfare Reform" containing
information on Ca1WORKs including:
♦ An initial analysis of AB 1542;
♦ A table listing key effective dates for processes, services, and activities related to
Ca1WORKs;
♦ Requirements for a County Welfare Reform Plan;
♦ Key dates for development of a County Welfare Reform Plan; and
♦ A time line for Ca1WORKs implementation.
A second attachment entitled "County Welfare Reform Plan Development/Ca1WORKs
Implementation" summarizes the steps that we envision moving through in Contra Costa County
in order to meet state law requirements for a County Plan, and to, more importantly, design our
local service-delivery system which will replace AFDC and GAIN in our County.
Finally, we have also attached "Welfare Reform" information bulletins, and question and answer
sheets, which we are sharing broadly.
My staff and I plan to review these documents with you at the September 8, 1997, Family &
Human Services Committee meeting. I would hope that this will provide all in attendance with
a common understanding of the challenges we face over the next months and years, and begins
the process of community education and collaboration that will be essential to Ca1WORKs
implementation.
JBC:sjb
♦ I
SQCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
DATE: August 27, 1997
TO: John Cullen cc: Executive Team
FROM: Christina Linville
SUBJ: State Welfare Reform--County Plan Process
State welfare reform became a reality in California with the enactment of AB 1542 and AB
1008 earlier this month, and the signing of the state budget on 8/18/97. Attached is the
departent's plan for development of a County Welfare Reform Plan, as well as for the
development and operationalization of new programs, services and processes required by state
welfare reform legislation.
The time frames outlined in this plan are ambitious, to say the least. This time line is driven
by two factors:
• Some of the services and programs must be in place as early as 1/1/98, so the work to
operationalize them must be done concurrently with development;
• State lifetime limits on aid begin for current participants on 1/1/98. We must work to
provide new services to assist families in their self-sufficiency efforts, particularly the
welfare-to-work services continuum, as close to this date as possible.
Critical implementation pieces are being identified and phase-in of new programs and services,
based on priorities, will be developed. Our plan and time lines may also be altered as new
information about state-gWdelines and requirements becvme'known.
The plan includes attachments as follows:
Attachment A: An initial analysis of AB 1542 (the bulk of state welfare reform law).
Attachment B: A table listing key effective dates for the processes, services and activites
related to Ca1WORKs.
Attachment C: A summary of all references in AB 1542 to County Welfare Reform Plan
requirements.
Attachment D: A table showing key dates for the County Welfare Reform Plan process.
Attachment E: A timeline for the County Welfare Reform Plan process.
Gert 9c (New 3/86)
Contra Costa County Plan for CaIWORICs
and State Welfare Reform:
Proposal for Activities and Time Lines: August. 1997-March. 1998
Background
State welfare reform became a reality in August, 1997,with the passage of AB 1542 and AB
1008. These bills were signed by the Governor and, with the Governor's signing of the
1997/98 state budget on 8/18/97, the "Ca1WORKs"' program has been created. Ca1WORKs
replaces the AFDC and GAIN programs in California--instead of two programs, there is now
one program which contains a set of welfare-to-work requirements and services for nonexempt
Ca1WORKs participants. The state welfare reform legislation also specifies various activities
for state and local agencies and entities to begin building a system for assistance to needy
families.
The new legislation is also designed to implement the provisions of the federal PRWORA2,
passed by the US Congress and signed by President Clinton on 8/22/96. This law requires
that states conform to certain requirements (such as work participation rates, time limits and
maintenance of effort mandates) to access federal block grant funding for public assistance
programs through the year 2002. Finally, this new state legislation reflects the freedom
accorded to states to design programs that more closely reflect state and local needs and
priorities. State welfare reform legislation reflects a compromise between competing proposals
by the California Legislature and the Wilson administration for state welfare reform.
Key Aspects and Time Frames
Attachment A represents a detailed description of the various aspects of the new state welfare
reform law. Attachment B is a table show4i the time frames for implementingdarious aspects
of the legislation.. Please note that these documents. and all estimated dates in this
plan. are based on the best information now available. and are changing as more
becomes known. Key time frames include:
• Ca1WORKs Enactment: CalWORKs is enacted on 8/11/97 and AB 1542 (which
contains the bulk of the new law) becomes operative when the state budget act is
chaptered. At that time, certain provisions become operative immediately:
I Sec. 31 Electronic Benefit Transfer Act
,( Sec. 32 County Plans for CaIWOM
'California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids
2Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996,PL 104-193
Contra Costa County Plan: CalWORKs and State Welfare Reform--revised 8/27/97 1
Sec. 131 MAP Table, COLA Suspension (through 10/31/98), Pregnant
Woman Eligibility, Pregnancy Special Need, Foster Care
Payments, Nonrecurring Special Needs, Homeless Assistance.
Sec. 132 Grant Reductions (4.9%)
Sec. 141 Cost-of-Living Increases Suspension
d Sec. 161 Medi-Cal
Sec. 162 Funding for Drug/Alcohol Svcs. For Pregnant Women
• CalWORKs Effective Dates: Other provisions become operative on January 1, 1998,
including but not limited to:
60-month lifetime limit for nonexempt CalWORKs participants
Funding and allocations for various programs, including one administrative
allocation for CalWORKs and welfare-to-work services (formerly GAIN).
New budgeting rules, such as: the $225 + 50% earned income exemption; use
of Food Stamp rules to determine asset eligibility, including value of vehicles.
New Child Care system
Diversion Program
• Implementation: The state is allowed to implement various provisions via All-County
Letter"or similar instructions". This means that it is possible that many aspects of the
law will be implemented without even emergency regulations. Regulations are due
7/1/98.
• Child Care: It appears that a new child care eligibility and payment system must be
in place by 1/1/983. This would mean that, as of 1/1/98, the AFDC child care_disregard,
Transitional or Supplemental Child care programs will no longer exist. GAIN child care
for part of state fiscal year 97-98 must be paid from GAIN funding.
• Diversion% Eaccounty must develop i lversion program to provide for lump-sum
cash or noncash payments for eligible applicants who would benefit from a one-time-
only payment to resolve the circumstances that resulted.in the family's application for
aid. These payments are made based on criteria developed by the county, and are
approved at the sole discretion of the county,Appears this program becomes operative
on 1/1/98.
• Welfare-to-Work Services: Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Services is the new name for
the former GAIN program. These services become operative based on submission and
certification of the county welfare reform plan (see Attachment D). WTW services
3Counties have six months to phase in the"pay the provider direct"portion of the system
Contra costa Courcy Pte::Cal wonrs and State welfare Rcform--rev W 81z'197 2
include orientation, job search (4 weeks with possible extension), job club and
appraisal; assessment; WTW plans mutually agreed upon by the participant and the
county, including allowable work activities,possible mental health, substance abuse and
mental health and/or domestic violence treatment; supportive services, including child
care, transportation, ancillary services; reassessment if no job is found; and community
service.
At this time, the effective dates of WTW services is not completely clear; however, it
is believed at this time that the following is true:
All persons required to participate in WTW services who were in receipt of
AFDC 12dor to the time the county begins its WTW services (which is tied to
submission and certification of the County Welfare Reform Plan) are called
"recipients" for purposes of determining the:time limit/ beginning date for
WTW services. The MUW services time limit for"recipients" is 24 months and
the start date for the 24 months is the date the "reciipient" signs or refuses to
sign, his or her individual Welfare-to-Work Plan. The WTW plan is not signed
until the participant has been through orientation, appraisal, job search of-4
weeks (which can be shortened or extended), job club and assessment.
4' Those who apply for Ca1WORKs benefits affitr the county begins its WTW
services program (again, tied to County Welare Redform Plan
submission/certification), and who are required to participate in WTW services,
are called "applicants" for purposes of determining the time limit/beginning
date of WTW services. The WTW services time limit for "applicants" is 18
months (with a possible extension to 24 months) and the start date_for the 18
months is.the date Ca1WORKs aid is granted. Thus_ the "applicant" not only
has a potentially shorter period for WTW services. the_time limit "clock" for
these services starts "ticking"sooner. F �
Note: the W'I'W services "time limits" are not to be confused with the overall lifetime
limit of 60 months for Ca1WORKs benefits. There are separate sets of exemptions for
the two time limits. WTW services "time limits" occur within the overall 60-month
lifetime limit for Ca1WORKs.
• Community Service: Counties must develop a"pre-employment" community service
plan which serves participants who have completed the allowable WTW services period
without.becoming employed (and when the county determines no job is available)--
generally from 18-24 months after WTW began,.up to a maximum of the 60th month
of Ca1WORKs. Community service can also be assigned for those whose work activities
do not equal enough hours to meet state work participation-requirements and to bring
those in Self-Initiated Programs (SIPs) up to the required 32 hours/week of work
Contra Costa County Plan:CalWOM and State Welfare Reform—revised 8/27/97 3
activities (after credit for classroom,lab and internship hours).
• Mental Health/Substance Abuse: Counties must develop a mechanism to refer
participantsfor mental health and substance abuse assessments and treatment. Mental
health assessments must be done by county mental health staff; substance abuse
assessments may be done by contractors of county drug and alcohol departments.
Funding for these services will be in two separate accounts that are allocated to county
welfare departments; funds may be moved between the two accounts. Appears this
becomes operative when county WTW services are implemented.
• Welfare-to-Work Participation Requirements:
State welfare-to-work activities participation requirements for nonexempt participants
are:
(Single parents)
20 hrs/wk from 1/1/98-6/30/98
26 hrs/wk from 7/1/98-6/30/99
32 hrs/wk from 7/1/99
(2-parent families)
35 hrs/wk from 1/1/98 (both parents can contribute as long as one meets the
federal single parent work participation requirement; both parents must be
participating to qualify for child care).
• Child Support: Among other new rules, counties must develop a mechanism to ensure
that District Attorney, Family Support staff are available, either in person-at the county
social services office or by telephone, for the initial interview of applicants for aid.
Appears this provision becomes operative on 1/1/98.
• Sancao'ns,/Incentives: Counties can receive incentive monies and are held potentially
accountable for 50% pass-on of federal sanctions. Counties must also fully fund
payments to those exempt from state time limits who exceed the federal allowance of
20% (due to "hardship"), even though the exemptions are set by state law. Incentives
include 75% of the state share of savings, including federal TANF block grant funds,
resulting from:
I Exits due to employment.that lasts at least six months;
I Diversion from aid for 6 months plus the number of months equivalent to the
diversion payment;
,' Reduced grants due to earnings.
Counties are also allowed to keep 25% of the state share of savings resulting from
Contra Costa county Plum:CaIWORKs and state Welfare Reform--ra*M 8/27/97 4
detection of fraud. Appears these provisions become operational on 1/1/98.
• Waivers and Demonstration Projects: Counties must decide whether to pursue
inclusion in demonstration projects outlined in the legislation, or seek state/federal
waivers to test different WTW models. Demonstration projects in the bill include:
I Budgeting Demo: Limited to 6 counties. Prospective budgeting, change
reporting (monthly income change of $75 or more, household changes within
10 days); financial eligibility determination every six months, optional annual
full reinvestigation.
I Child Support Assurance Demo: Participants who meet certain criteria, such as
being employed and in possession of a child support order, can receive a
guaranteed cls payment in lieu of a grant up to a specified income level.
I Welfare-to-Work Services: Counties can test different models of delivery of
services. Eligibility and benefit criteria cannot be waived.
I Microenterprise: Allows counties to implement demonstration projects to
provide self-employment training and technical assistance to Ca1WORKs
recipients or persons at risk of receiving CalWORKs benefits. Requires joint
proposals from county welfare departments and local microenterprise-service
providers.
IM/GAIN managers and supervisors have indicated preference, and the Director has
authorized, for us to pursue the possibility of expanding the RISE waiver (recently
granted for Contra Costa's Service Integration sites) county-wide. Work on any demos
or waivers must begin immediately.
• County Plan: Attachment C outlines all the requirements and elements of the County
Plan for CalWORKs. Attachment D contains key dates in table format. Key time
frames include:
I The state must issue a planning allocation letter to each county within 30 days +
of the date the=pfogram is enacted (est 9/10/97):
Counties must submit their CalWORKs plans within 4 months of the date the
planning allocation letter is issued (est 12/97-1/98).
A county mea begin enrolling"applicants". into its new welfare-to-work program
as of the date its county plan is submitted or January 1, 1998, whichever is later.
The state must certify the county plan complete or incomplete within 30 days
of.the date the county submitted its plan. The county must.submit a revised
plan by 30 days from the date notified that its plan is incomplete.
A county must begin enrolling "applicants" by 6 months from the date of the
Contra Costa County Plan:Ca[WORKs and State Welfare Reform--raised 8/27/97 5
planning allocation letter (est 2/98-3/98), or 2 months from the date the county
plan is certified (est 3/98-4/98), whichever is later.
A county must enroll all CaIWORKs "recipients" by January 1, 1999.
Cou W Welfare Reform Plan Process and Time Frames
We have been advised by state staff that the County Welfare Reform Plan submitted to the
state need not contain extensive detail. The plan will be reviewed by the state to ensure that
each element required to be addressed by AB 1542, is addressed. The plan is certified, not
approved, by the state.
To some extent, the,County Welfare Reform Plan will simply document processes that are
already in place, including the IM/GAIN Bureau Redesign Plan and implementation, elements
of the County GAIN plan, county-wide work force development and inter-department, inter-
agency and agency-community partnerships already launched. It is the intent of the
Legislature that the County Plan build on, not supersede, these efforts. Other new
requirements, such as the incorporation of mental health and substance abuse referral
mechanisms, will require meetings with other agencies and groups.
While little detail is required for the County Welfare Reform Plan itself, extensive work must
be done to put in place the programs and services either outlined in the Plan or required by
AB 1542 between 1/1/98 and 1/1/99. Therefore, the proposed County Welfare Reform Plan
process actually outlines plans for the operational, fiscal and organizational aspects of
implementing state welfare reform in Contra Costa County. One of the lessons learned from
the Redesign is that fiscal and operational considerations should be addressed as early_in the
planning process as possible when implementation time frames are short.
Attachnicnti. is a table showing e time frames for accomplishing various aspects of the,. �.
County Welfare Reform Plan and state welfare reform implementation process.
Key elements of the County Welfare Reform Plan process include:
• A detailed time line for submission of the County Plan to the state. Tentative dates
are: draft plan available for review in late October; final draft submitted to the Director
in the second week of November, approved by the Director and forwarded to the Board
for approval by.the last week of November; County Plan submitted to the state on
December 31, 1998. This would allow us to begin enrolling new applicants into the
WTW services program as early as 1/1/98 if feasible.
• The establishment of an internal advisory group to give.input about, and/or review
aspects of. state welfare reform and its implementation. This group will consist of staff
Contra Costa County Plan:CalWORKs and State Welfare Reform--revised 8/27/97 6
from all levels and functions of the organization--line staff, managers and administrative
support staff.--who will review and advise on County Welfare Reform Plan development
and processes and programs being developed by various work groups to implement state
welfare reform.
This group will be chaired by Christina.Linville (who is assigned lead responsibility for
the County Plan),with additional staff support from Paul Ward and A1ana Hogan. The
advisory group is expected to meet approximately every four weeks during the County
Welfare Reform Plan development process. Activities of the advisory group may
include:
review the County Welfare Reform Plan requirements, activities and overall
strategies;
d review the work of staff work groups and recommend modifications as
appropriate;
,( review the draft County Welfare Reform Plan and recommend modifications.
• The establishment of work groups to develop the processes that will operationalize
Ca1WORKs. Existing program committees, Redesign Task Forces and Action Teams
will be utilized in this process to the greatest extent possible to maximize the time and
resources available to complete the tasks required in the time allotted.
Certain key participants will have lead responsibilities for aspects of the Plan, including but
not limited to:
♦ Christina Linville Coordinate County Plan Process; write and revise County Plan;
bring together staff from inside and outside the department to
develop Plan processes (such as Mental Healtb/Substance Abuse
and DA Family Supportinterviews of Ca1WORKs applicants);
ensure time frames are met;represent the Department at meetings
to develop the inter-agency and community partnerships and input
required in the.Plan; facilitate the research and development.of
reorganization.models.
♦ Ralph McGee CalWORKS Plan program budget
♦ Kareen Morgan Child Care Progiram Development/Welfare-to-Work Services Policy
♦ Phil Simonds Facilities and renovation
Contra Costa County Plan:Ca1WORKs and State Welfare Rdbrm-=revised 8/27/97 7
♦ John Zimmerman Information technology
• Family and HumanServices Subcommittee presentation: County Welfare Reform Plan
process and time frames, request for -direct Board involvement through the
Subcommittee and submission of this document, outlining that process, to the full
Board in 9/97.
• 3-5.public forums, either by Supervisorial District or East/West/Central County from
the fall, for the purpose of informing the public about the County Welfare Reform Plan
process and gathering community input on various aspects of local implementation of
state welfare reform plans and requirements.
• Work Force Development Advisory Group presentation (10/2/97) to inform and gather
input for the County Welfare Reform Plan work force development components.
• Social Service Department district office visits (10/97) to inform and gather input on
the County Welfare Reform Plan process and new programs design.
• . Draft County Welfare Reform Plan by late November or early December, reviewed and
modified as appropriate by the staff ad hoc advisory group and submitted to the Social
Service Department Director.
• County Welfare Reform Plan, revised as appropriate, is submitted for Board approval
in December; County Plan submitted to state by 12/31/97.
Summary and Conclusion
The County Welfare Reform Plan for CalWORKs , while relatively lacking in detail, is only
one facet of the intensive afid comprehensive planning and`development process that must
take place over the next five months in order to implement state welfare reform in a timely
manner.
The time frames outlined in this plan are ambitious, to say the least. This time line is driven
by two factors:
• Some of the services and programs must be in place as early as 1/1/98, so the work to
operationalize them must be done concurrently with development;
• State 60-month lifetime limits on aid begin for.current participants on 1/1/98. We
must work.to provide new services to assist families in their self-sufficiency efforts,
particularly the welfare-to-work servicescontinuum, as close to this date as possible.
Contra Costa County Plan:Ca1WORKs and State Welfare Reform—rerked 8/27/97 8
Critical implementation pieces are being identified and phase-in of new programs and services,
based on priorities, will be developed. This plan and time lines may also be altered as new
information about istate guidelines and requirements become known. The proposed planning
process allows for broad internal and public input and participation in development of the
CalWORKs County Welfare Reform Plan.
Contra Costa County Plan:Ca1WORKs and State Welfare Reform—revised 8/27/97 9
�Ti Q.t�nit�i�� Tl
California State Welfare Reform
as provided In AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
::Program. Califomla'WarisPPortunity and Responsfbilityto Kids Program-
;: ;�fiements :... ::: � .. _.. `.::...:.::CafWORKs _ :: :::::.
.`COUNTY:PLANS. COUNTY CALWORKS PLANS Sea 32,10530
......... ...
Each coup must submit a an to the state to implement
......::.:::::::::.........: county plan element certain provisions of the CaIwORKs program.
Counties are to use plans already developed or in progress to document welfare reform efforts already
underway through the county plan.
COUNTY PLAN PROCESS 10532
• The state shall issue a planning allocation letter and
pia g county plan instructions to the counties within 30 days
.......................................:
of the enactment of the CalWORKs program.
• Each county shall submit a plan for implementation of the CaIWORKs program within four months of the
issuance of the planning allocation letter by the department
• A county may begin implementation of its plan upon submission of the plan to the department or the
.......................................
effective date of the CaIWORKs program,whichever is later.
Within 30 days of receipt of a county pian, the department shall either certify the plan complete or
incomplete. Counties must then submit revised plans within 30 days.
• A county shall begin enrolling all new applicants for aid in the county's wetfare-towork program no later
than six months from the date of issuance of the planning allocation letter or two months after the
certification of the coup
ty plan,whichever is later.
• A county shat enrol all recipients of aid no later than January 1,1999. For recipients,the 18-or 24-months
time begins on the date the recipient signs,or refuses to sign,a welfare-to-work plan.
PLAN DESCRIPTION-WELFARE-TO-WORK SERVICES 10531
a County collaboration with other public and private agencies.
......................................
.................. .......... . .
::...:.::...... :.. • County partnerships with a private sector to identify jobs.
• Identification of local labor market needs.
• Range of welfare-to-work activities offered/not offered.
•, Availability of substance abuse and mental health treatment services.
• Mental health services for community service participants.
• Child care and transportation services.
• Community service plan.
• Training of county workers re:domestic violence.
• Performance outcomes,including locally established objectives.
• Public input
• Program budget
• Transitional aid.
• Job creation plan(optional,not funded).
• Other elements as identified by the state.
• How the county will comply with certain federal TANF requirements.
OTHER REFERENCES TO COUNTY PLAN REQUIREMENTS IN AB 1542
• (Chapter . ,Sec.33,10542)Pertormance Outcome Incentives Monitoring-Counties must identify local
outcomes, positive and negative, through a collaborative process with the community, in addition to
statewide outcomes. Local outcome measures tracking must be cost-effective.
• (Part 3, Div. 9, Chapter 2, Sec.,87, 11322.9)-Counties must develop, in a collaborative process, a
community service plan that addresses:
O Unmet community needs that could be met through community service activities.
O The target population to be served.
'::: :"':::` O Entities responsible for project development and administration.
O The temporary nature of community service activities.
O Supportive services(Sec.87, 113224-Child care shall be provided.
• (Sec.9d, 11323.2}-Option to continue to provide case management and supportive services to certain
participants who become subject to paragraph(8)of subdivision(b)of Section 11320.3. (Note:oaracrart
8 was deleted from the final version of the bill.)
• (Sec. 114, 11325.7)-A plan for the development of mental heakh employment assistance services,
developed jointly by the county welfare department and the county department of mental health.
• (Sec. 115, 11325.8)-A plan for the provision of substance abuse treatment services.
• (Sec. 121, 11327.8)-4n addition to state hearing rights, a local-level grievance procedure for certain
welfare-to-work issues.
e. (Div.9,.Part 3,Ch.2,Article 7.5,Sec. 155, 11495.15)-Domestic violence training and protocols
San Francisw ComfFIContra Costa Count -revised 8127/97-repiwas are sliaded 1
California State Welfare Reform �, y
as provided In AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
Prsagram Oabfornia Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Program--
3Elements
.CalWORKs ;:
:: OUTCOMES CALWORKS PROGRAM EVALUATION
`:::OVERSIGHT,:;:: : • The State DSS must ensure that ongoing evaluation of the CaIWORKs Program is undertaken
AND • The University of California shall conduct and support CaIWORKs evaluation efforts
AUTOMATION
STATE WELFARE REFORM STEERING COMMITTEE 10544.317
• Composed of various state agencies,CSAC,CWDA
• Will advise on implementation,review sanction system and review savings incentives.
• WE review alternative ways to budget/allocate funds for administration and report findings to appropriate
legislative committees in time to enable the Legislature to incorporate recommended changes into the
Budget Act of 1998 and related statutes.
ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER(EBT)ACT
• Forms a committee and technical advisory group including representatives from CSAC and CWDA.
• System shall have capability to deliver Food Stamps and,upon election of the county,other benefits.
• Aid recipients will be issued EBT cards.
WELFARE-TO-WORK PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS 11322.8
:PARTICIPATION • Adult recipient in a one-parent assistance unit:
A:CT ITIES AND. O 20 hrs/wk(1/1/98)
REQUIREMENTS # 26 hrshvk(7/1/98)
O 32 hrs/wk(7/1/99)
O County can require up to 32 hours/wk at any time
• Adult recipient who is an unemployed parent in a two-parent assistance unit
a 35 hrs/wk
O Both parents may contribute to the 35 hrs as long as one of them meets fhe federal one-parent
participation requirement
a Both parents must meet the required hours of participation in Sec.607(c),TI.42, US Code,to be
eligible for federally-funded child care services.
EXEMPTIONS FROM WELFARE-TO-WORK REQUIREMENTS 11320.3
• Under 16 or 16-17 and attending school
• Disabled for over 30 days—Dr.'s verification required; must impair ability to work/ participate in work
activities;must be actively seeking medical treatment
• Advanced age
• Cares for a ward or dependent of the court or for a child at risk of foster care.
• Cares for a disabled family member,impairs ability to work/participate in work activities.
• 1st exemption for parents of newboms—Parent of a child 0-6 months. On a case-by-case basis,this
exemption can be reduced to 12 weeks or extended to.12 months by the county. An individual who has
wed this exemption is exempt`tb'r 12 weeks for subsequent children. Can be extended to 6 months,
case-by-case basis,county option.
• Pregnant and medically verified that pregnancy impairs ability to work/participate in work activities.
• Other good cause which impairs ability to work,as determined by the county.
In 2-parent families,only one can be exempt
• Any exempt person may volunteer to participate in welfare-to-work activities.
• (Teen parents must eam high school diploma/equivalent).
GOOD CAUSE TO BE EXCUSED FROM PARTICIPATION 11320.3(f)
iN WELFARE TO-WORK ACTIVITIES
• This language replaces'deferrar language in the former GAIN program
• County may excuse for good cause when determines a condition or other circumstance that temporarily
prevents or significantly impairs participants ability to be employed or to participate in WTW activities.
• Must be reviewed at least every three months
• Conditions include,but are not limited to:
O Lack of supportive services
a Victims of domestic violence
O Child care for child 10 or under not reasonably available
San Franenw.CmmEFIContra Costa Cmwfp--repised 8127/97—revisions my shadcd 2
California State Welfare Reform �• �'
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8/11/97
Pr ram Califomla Work.
°g. Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Progremw-
I=lements CaIWORKs
=WORK REQUIRED SEQUENCE OF ACTIVITIES FOR NON-EXEMPT PARTICIPANTS: 11320.1/11322/
PARTICIPATION.... • Job Search(up to 4 wks,may be extended) 11325
;ACTIVITIES AND • Recipients--orientation,appraisal and job club(applicants receive these services at county option and
.REQUIREMENTS: with recipients consent). Appraisal:informs participant of available services;discusses the participants
(confd) employment history and skills. Recipients in SIPS—appraisal not required.
.................................... .....
......................................
................................. ......
• Assessment
O Work history
a Educational History
a Need for supportive services
a Evaluation of employment potential
a Local labor market information
a Physicaltmental limitations
a Allows counties to determine who conducts assessments
• Welfare-bawork plan 11325.21
a Mutually developed by the participant and the county case manager
a Outlines the activities to move the individual from welfare to work
.......... ..... ....
a Limits job search to four weeks unless both county and participant agree to extend
a Activities may be sequential or concurrent
6 Participant has one opportunity to change the plan within 30 days
a Reappraisal required uired if not employed b
PP eqY Plan end
a Requires counties to select a 3rd-party assessor to address disagreements re:WTW plan
• Welfare-to-work(WTW)activities(18 months for applicants with possible extension to 24;24 months
for recipients) Counties must provide a range of activities. Number/percentage of persons in given activities
must conform to federal law.
a Unsubsidized employment
a Subsidized public or private sector employment
a Work experience(up to 12 months,can be extended by mutual agreement)
- a On-the-job training/grant-based OJT(work subsidy)
a Supported work/transitional employment
.. a Work study
a Self-employment
a Community service
a Adult basic education/ESL/high school/GED
a Job skills training
a .Vocational education/training
+ Job search and job readiness -
a Employment-related education
a Mental Health/substance abuse/domestic violence services
a Other activities as determined by the county
• Community service(CS)-up to 60 month lifetime limit
a Required after the 18-24 month WTW services period
a Counties may provide CS to all who lack sufficient unsubsidized firs to meet participation rates during
the 18-24 month WTW services period
a CS may only be performed in the public/private non-profit sectors
a CS must provide skills that lead to unsubsidized employment
a CS slots are subject to.anti-displacement provisions (participants in WTW can compete for jobs
through normal procedures;CS cannot replace work customarily performed by a represented workers
(this does.not appy to unsub.employment))
a Child care is provided;other supportive services are at county option
TEEN PARENT PROVISIONS 11331.5
• Pregnant or parenting teens under 19 shall be required to participate as a fun-time student until HSD/GED
earned
• At age 19,while a participant,HSD/GED program may continue
San FranchwCmmty/Contra Costa County--revised 8127/97—revisions are shaded 3
California State Welfare Reform ✓• �''
as provided In AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111/97
Program Calffomfa Work Qpportu and Responsfbilrty to Kids Program--
CaMORKs
:::iEffements ':. ,
SELF-INITIATED PROGRAMS(SIPS) 11325.23
• Only allowable SIPs will be those determined to lead to employment(see"Instructional and Job Training
Plan'section);otherwise,participation must end at the next semester/quarter break. Allowable SIPs can
continue 18-24 months.
• SIPs shall be reflected in the WTW plan for nonexempt participants;32 hrs/wk participation in allowable
SIP activities(classroom hrs,lab time and internships)plus WTW activities,if needed,is required. Work
study is an allowable WTW activity.
• No SIPs for those with a BA unless enrolled in a teaching credential program.
NON-:. NON-COMPLIANCE ISSUES 11327A
• Refusal to sign the WTW Plan
COMPLIANCEI:`: • Non rtici ation or unsatisfactory GbOD CAUSEI:; P ry Progress in any assigned program activity
PARTICIPANT • Nonacceptance of employment No sanction if
:SANCTIONS
- O employer discriminates
- O excessive work hours or commute
O employer violates health/safety laws or fails to offer worker's compensation
O employment interrupts approved education/training activities
O violation of participants union membership
• Terminating employment/reducing eamings
' CONCILIATIOWCOMPLIANCE/SANCTION PROCESS 11327.4(b)
• County must send 30-day notice-of-action(NOA)
• County must schedule a cause determination appointment within 20 days
• Sanction unless the participant contacts the county within 20 days of the NON or attends the appointment;
or provides good cause information;or agrees to a compliance plan.
• County can send a NOA and impose sanction without repeating the process if the participant fails to fulfill
a compliance plan without good cause.
SANCTIONS 11327.5111453.2
• Sanctions do not appy to WTW volunteers
• Financial sanction:remove noncompliant AU member and reduce the grant accordingly
• County shall issue vouchers or vendor payments for rent and utilities for AU with sanction for at least 3
months,until the sanction ends
• Non-Compliance:
O Ist noncompliance without good cause—financial sanction until the activity with which the participant
refused to comply is performed
O 2nd—financial sanction for 3 months or until the activity is performed,whichever is longer
O 3rd and subsequent—financial sanction for 6 months or until the activity is performed,whichever is
_..
longer
• Sanction rescinded if:
O County finds good cause
O Participant agrees to a compliance plan
• Vouchers or vendor payments must be issued for at least rent and utilities in cases where the parent or
caretaker is sanctioned for 3 months or more. This requirement ends when the sanction is cured.
GOOD CAUSE
• All former AFDC program good cause provisions are repealed
• County is not precluded from considering any condition or circumstance, on a case-by-case basis, in
evaluating good cause.
: : -; : :;; • County shall take mental capacity of participant into consideration,in consultation with county mental health
department as appropriate
• Participant may appeal good cause determination and.receive aid pending 9 s/he participates In WTW
activities
San Frandsav County/Contra Costa County--rMsed 8127/97—repWons an shadta 4
California State Welfare Reform . �—
as provided in AS 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8/11/97
ogram Calrforrefa'Work 11 pd tunlW and RevonsMflity.to Kids F"gm
ra —
::::Elements CalWORKs
................ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 11495
• Applicants and recipients who are past or present victims of abuse cannot be placed at further risk or
unfairly penalized by CaWORKs requirements and procedures
• County can waive any program requirement or activity, on a case-by-case basis and for as long as
- necessary,any program requirement than impede escape from abuse(except for federal time limits,unless
DV victims fan within the 20%federal exemption and/or federal waiver for DV victims granted;or federal
work requirements,if the state will incur a penalty)
• A task force shall be convened to developg
protocols and standards for dealing with DV victims in
CalWORKs
SUPPORT "" ? WORK AC I IVI I ES PARTICIPANTS 11323.2
$ERVlCES.' . • Child care for children 10 or under and for 11-12-year-olds if funding permits.
O Includes foster care/SSI children
O Child care rates set by the California Department of Education(CDE)
• Transportation costs
" • Ancillary costs required for employment
• Personal counseling
• Case management services to former participants for 12 months 9 employed and no other entity is
providing these services
CHILD CARE
• REFER TO CHILD CARE SECTION
MENTAL HEALTH 11325.7
• Legislature intends to fund MH services for CalWORKs participants
• When referred by the county welfare department,the county mental health dept shall evaluate treatment
needs
• The county may use community-based providers that have experience addressing the needs of the
CaIWORKs population
• Mental health services are part of the WTW plan when necessary for employment
• If MH services not available,participant will perform job search
................................:...
SUBSTANCE ABUSE 11325.8
a •. Legislature may appropriate funds for SA services for CalWORKs participants
• When determined appropriate by the county case manager,.a referral for evaluation is made
•..County alcohol and drug programs or contractors of service for these programs,shall provide services
• Substance abuse services are part of the WTW plan when necessary for employment
• County must offer SA treatment at least twice, more if needed
• Limits..participation in SA treatment to 6 months without concurrent participation in another work activity
JOB RETENTION SERVICES 11500111323.2/11320.3(b)(8)
• County option to provide case management and supportive services(for child care,see the child care
section) to former participants who become employed for up to 12 months after employment to the extent
that these services are needed and not available from other sources.
ME I-C LINKAGE::::: € :` : :;:_
D AL
................ ............... ......_..........._. ...... ................._..........:.. _. ._....
• :Conbnues no.shareofcost r igrble Ties?:: QSS ACIN -514 :states'to the
- '` cteirt:.federaffirfanaalparhapa on(FFP):is Wdtble,AIDC;recipients W receive Medi-Ca{ Ta:#he extent
..................:
:FFQ Is a�raiable;rite state m.
aes{ablishproceduresforcommon.eligit>ilitydeterminatiorisforall;programs
.y
that aid needy families'; .:..
::OTHER: :: SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 11253.5
1-06IREMENTS.' • School-age children are required to attend school
• School.attendance for child(ren)of participant shall be made part of WTW plan
• Parents shall document that all school-age children are regularly attending school
• If a child under 16 is not attending,the parent's share of the grant is deducted
• If a child over 16 is not attending(or working if not attending),the child's share of the grant is deducted
• (this section also applies under the'Pro Eligibility'section
San Francisco County/Contra Costa Count/--ro mw4 8/27/97 revisions are shaded
California State Welfare Reform .
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
Program Qaldomla Work Opportirnity and Responsibility to Kids Prog�a►n-
:Elements. :iNff0RKs
;I7ME LIMITS.a CALWORKS BENEFITS 1145411 1320.15111450.13
.....................................
• 60 non-exempt cumulative months of aid in any state for CaIWORKs adults(children in these assistance
units can continue to receive aid,county option to pay cash or noncash)
• No month in which aid is received prior to 1/1/98 counts in computing this limit
........................................
• When WTW services expire,adults can continue to receive CatWORKs benefits up to the 60-month time
limit if working less than the required weekly hours,the county certifies that no job is available,and the
participant does community service up to the required level of work participation
• When the 60 months expires,the adult is not required to participate in WTW activities unless the county
provides WTW services with community services requirements
WTW SERVICES
• 18 cumulative months for new applicants—can be extended 6 months If likely to result in unsubsidized
employment
• 24 cumulative months for recipients
• No month in.which aid is received prior to 1/1/98 counts in computing this limit
£XEMPTtONS `. 60 MONTH LIMIT
FROM TIME:::: • 60 months is cumulative 11454(e)
:.;::.LIMITS • Age 60 or older
• Required to care for an illhncapacitated HH member
• Caretakers not in the AU('child-only'cases)
• Receipt of SDI/Worker's Comp,if the qualifying disability impairs ability to work
• Incapable of maintaining employment/participating in work activities(county assessment)
•
Cal-Learn participants
• Nonparent caretakers in the AU who ere caring for a child who is dependent/ward of the court or at risk
of foster care,if the care impairs ability to work/participate in work activities
• Disabled(over 30 days,Dr.'s verification required,must be actively seeking medical treatment)
• Any month in which the cost of aid is fully reimbursed by child support
WTW SERVICES LIMIT
• 18-24 months is cumulative
......:::::: ::
•. .any month in which the participant is not required to participate in WTW services because of a condition
listed in 11320.3(seep.2)that is expected to last at least 30 days does not count toward the 18-24 month
.. limit
• eligible for/participating in/exempt from Cal-Learn
_,-
San Franebw County/Contra Costa.County--rievuad 8/27/97—moons are shad 6
California State Welfare Reform �• °�
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
: :.:Program.. Califomfa Worir:.4:06hd RiLVi:n*0i!#0 to KUds Program--
Oements : :araIWORKs
.:::::::PROGRAM :' ELIGIBILITY FOR FAMILIES
...:...........
::-ELIGIBILITY : • Deprivation 11201
.O Applicants—changes the requirement that the unemployed principal eamer in two-parent families be
unemployed at least 30 days to'worked not less than 100 hours in the past 4 weeks'
O Repeals provisions requiring Federal connection to.the labor fort"calendar qtrs.of work in 13
O Retains the'100-hr•rule for applicants but repeals it for recipients
GRANT LEVELS 11453.1
• Extends the 4.9%MAP reduction and freeze on MAP COLA through 10/31/98
GRANT DIVERSION 11266.5
........................................
• County can offer CaNVORKs-eligible applicants, at its sole discretion, a cash or non-cash lump-sum
diversion payment in lieu of aid
• Recipient can accept the payment or decline it in favor of CaIWORKs benefits
• If diversion recipient later applies for aid,the recipient chooses whether the county shall recoup the lump
.........................................
sum payment or count equivalent time on aid toward the time limits;the county chooses the amount
recouped per month.
• During the diversion period,the family is eligible for Medi-Cal and child care;diversion funds dont count
as income for Food Stamps eligibility to the extent permitted by federal law.
• Child support collected or recovered shall not be used to offset the diversion payment
INCOME AND BUDGETING 11450/11155.3/11157
• 'Income', other than the changes in AS 1542,shall be the same as in AFDC on 821/96, except that
income received too infrequently to be reasonably anticipated,as exempted in the Food Stamp program,
is exempt
• Applicant net income test countable income,minus$90 standard work-related expenses deduction,must
be less than MBSAC. (Aroears this$90 WRE is no longer used in budgeting.)
• Recipient net income test countable income,minus$225+50%,must be Iess than MAP
• Income definitions:
O Earned income:wages,salaries,employer-provided sick leave benefits,commissions,self-employment
profits
O Disability-based unearned income: SDI, private disability insurance benefits, temporary worker's
compensation,social security disability
4 Unearned income:any income not described above
• Budgeting:
O All disability-based unearned income, plus any other nonexempt earned income, up to $225, is
disregarded. An additional 50%of other nonexempt earned income is disregarded.
O ff disability-based uneeme¢income is more than$225,e-mabn #�$225 of this type of income-' .
disregarded;50%of all other nonexempt earned income is disregarded.
O
If there is no disabWbased unearned income,up to$225 of nonexempt earned income plus%50 of
any other nonexempt earned income,is disregarded.
O NOTE: Previous AFDC law for '$30 & 113" disregard allowed this disregard for the bdividua1-
CaIWORKs law allows the 1225 and 50%'.disregard for the income of the family.
O The$50 child support disregard is retained and Is exempt from the budget
A standard deduction of 40%of gross income or verified p
expenses as allowed in the Food Stam
program,shag be allowed for self-employment Income. Applicant/recipient may switch between these
methods every sic months or at the redetermination
O Noncooperation without good cause,for DA Family Support issues,results in a reduction of 25%of
the CaWORKs grant until cooperation occurs
• The$47 pregnancy special need is retained..Recurring special needs,homeless assistance(once in e
lifetime)and the$600 nonrecurring special need for sudden and unusual occurances are retained.
San Frandsw C.ounolContra Costa Cmmtp-rcviwd 8127/97--revisions are shaded 7
California State Welfare Reform
as provided In AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
:::::program Ca/iforr�la
Work, and Responsfbllity to Kids Pic ►n•- ...
.. ...- .. tib
Elements CaIWORijCs ;
PROGRAM RESOURCE LIMITS/ASSETS 11155
ELIGIBILITY:;:::;:: • Applicants or recipients may retain countable resources in an amount equal to the amount permitted under
......................................
federal law for qualification for food stamps
........................ ............
• The county shall determine the value of personal property ad automobiles in conformance with methods
established in the Food Stamp program
• Recipients may retain savings and interest up to$5,000 in restricted accounts for 11155.2/11157.5
O Education or job training expenses for the account holder
O starting a business
O purchase of a home
........:::::
Only'qualifying'withdrawals are allowed;if nonqualifying withdrawals are made,a period of ineligibility,
based in the funds in the account prior to withdrawal,is computed
• Lump sums are income only in the month received—no period of ineligibility is computed
• Transfer of assets for less than fair market value shall result in a period of ineligibility
IMMUNIZATIONS 11265.8
• Parents must document that under-school-age children meet immunization standards
O Applicants have 30 days from the date aid is granted
O Recipients have 45 days from the date of the annual redetermination
O Failure to secure immunizations results in reduction of all parents'share of the cash giant
O Exemptions include situations where immunbtation is contrary to befiefslmedicaly inappropriate
OVERPAYMENTS 11004
• Overpayments due to agency error will reduce check by 5% of the Maximum Aid Payment of the
assistance unit
• Overpayments- p yments for any other reason will reduce check by 10% of the Maximum Aid Payment of the
assistance unit
• Clients have the right to be informed prior to check reduction and have the right to a hearing.
COMMON ELIGIBILITY PROCESS 11160
• To the extent federal financial participation is available, any state agency may establish procedures for
common eligibility determination for public social services programs that aid needy families to the extent
consistent with the eligibility of each program
LEGAL IMMIGRANT ELIGIBILITY 11008.3111008.135
• Legal immigrants are eligible for CaiWORKS as in prior AFDC law `
• In determining eligibility and amount of aid,the income of the legal immigrant shall be deemed to include
the income and resources of any person,and the spouse of that person,who has executed an affadavit
of support on behalf of the immigrant
San Francisw Comity/Contra Costa Como-revised 8127/97—yrPhiom are shaded 8
California State Welfare Reform
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
Program C8lfforr►fa.Work Opportunity and Responsribflity to Kids Program--
€.::.Flements :CaiWORKs
CHILD SUPPORT CHILD SUPPORT 11475.4111477
AND:PATERNITY. • Child support assigned to the county that accrues while the family receives aid shall be permanently
assigned until the entire amount of aid paid has been reimbursed
• Establishes order of distribution for pre-assistance and post-assistance child support arrears
• Allows the Statewide Automated Chid Support System or its replacement to be utilized to provide a single
statewide chid support registry
• Requires the state DSS to develop an implementation pian for the Child Support Registry and requires the
Registry to be in place by 10/1/98.
• A Child Support Collection and Enforcement Advisory Committee is established and requires the
participation of CSAC and CWDA
PATERNITY ESTABLISHMENT AND CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT 11477(b)(1Y11477.02 8.04
• Recipients must cooperate with the county welfare department and the DA to establish paternity of a child
and in establishing or enforcing child support orders,unless good cause for no cooperating is found
• theDA shall have staff available.in person at all county welfare offices.or by telephone.and shall conduct
a-tr_interview Aft each emlicant to obtain information to establish paternity and establish.modify or enforce
a support order at the time of the initial interview with the welfare office.
• The DA makes the determination of cooperation. Cooperation includes:
o Providing name and other relevant or known information of alleged parent
O Appearing at interviews,hearings and legal proceedings
a Submitting to genetic tests for parent and/or child
• The county welfare department makes the determination of good cause for noncooperation. Good cause
....................................
includes:
........... ............. ........
d Increased risk of harm or abuse to the parent or child
a Child is born out of incest or rape(conviction required)
d Adoption is pending
O Inability to identify the alleged father or obligator
d Any other reason that would make cooperation contrary to the best interests of the child
• Findings of noncooperation without good cause results in a reduction of 25%of the CaIWORKs grant until
cooperation occurs
San Francisco County/Contra Costa Cmasty--revised 8/27/97 revisions are shaded 9
California State Welfare Reform �, OL
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
ram iWifornla Work.
Dpportunity.and ResponsrbfNty to Kids Program-- ...
9 Cai'WORKs
::.:�lerrfents .
:::PROGRAM::' FUNDING
FUNDING,;;;::::;:: • Intent of legislature to fund welfare to work activities for all mandatory and voluntary recipients
INCENTfVES,I.i:`
SANCTIONS b.:a COUNTY SHARE OF COSTIALLOCATIONS OF FUNDS 15204.21.3/.41.8
PENALTIES:; ; • Repeals the current state/county administrative sharing ratios for administration
• The annual Budget Act will appropriate state and federal funds in a single allocation to counties for the
support of administrative activities for benefits payments, work activities and supportive services foe
CalWORKs
• Unexpended funds may be rolled over and reinvested for the same purposes until 7112000
• Allocation of funds will be based on projected county costs and caseloads for benefits administration;and
based on historical allocations for welfare-to-work administration.
• Two#hirds of the FY97-98 additional funds above the 1996-97 GAIN allocation will be distributed among
all counties based on each county's share of recipients.
0 The remaining one-third will be allocated among those counties that received a per-recipient allocation that
was below the statewide average.
• Establishes a 100% county maintenance of effort(MOE)level to support administration of programs
providing senrices to needy families equal to the FY96-97 fiscal year spending level for these programs and
for Food Stamp administration. Failure to meet MOE requirements will result in a proportionate reduction
of funds to the county.
• The requirements that the state pay 100% of the nonfederal costs for early fraud detection and prevention,
and for follow-up activities in the Income Eligibility Verification System(IEVS)for recipients,are repealed.
• Funds appropriated for mental health and substance abuse support services will be allocated in two
accounts and will be separate from the county CalWORKs block grant Funds may be moved between
these two accounts as needed. Funds in these accounts may be retained and reinvested in these services
in the following year. Counties must report on the use of these funds in 11/98 and beginning in 1/99,the
unexpended funds may be reallocated so as to better meet the needs for services.
COUNTY FISCAL SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES 10544
• If the state does not achieve the outcomes required by federal law and,as a result, is subject to a fiscal
penalty,the penalty shall be shared equally by the state and the counties. The total amount of the counties'
share of the penalty shall be imposed on the counties that failed to meet the federal requirements.
• A county may be relieved from a penalty if the state determines there were circumstances beyond the
control of the county.
• The penalties will be revised by the State Welfare Reform Steering Committee.
`:' :` COUNTY FISCAL INCENTIVES 10544.1
• It is the intent of the Legislature to pass on 100% of the grant savings from achievement of certain
outcomes as listed in this section. The funds passed on must be reinvested in the same programs and the
state funds.reinvested by counties can be used to satisfy the state-MgE requirement required by federal -=
Counties will receive 75%of the state share of savings,including federal funds under the TANF block
- grant,resulting from the following outcomes:
O Recipients exiting the program due to employment that has lasted a minimum of 6 months
......:..................................
O Increased employment earnings by recipients
O Diversion of applicants from the program for 6 months in addition to the number of months equivalent
to the diversion payment .
• The remaining 25%will be allocated to counties that have not realized savings due to their outcomes but
have performed in a manner worthy of recognition.
• The savings incentives may change based on the work of the Welfare Reform Steering Committee.
• Each county shall receive 25%of the state share of savings resulting from the detection of fraud.
COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH SERVICES ACT 18220.
• Permits probation departments to expand preventative services to target youth populations
• Allocates$4,418,859 of Emergency Assistance (EA) funds to the Contra Costa County probation
department and$3,107,495 to San Francisco.County probation department for this purpose
• These funds may be used for families to promote self-suufficiency,personal responsibility,and family stability
San Franci"Cormty/Contra Costa.County--rcrbat 8/27/97 rerimm are du&&d 10
California State Welfare Reform
.as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and.signed by the Governor on 8/11/97
..
program
Ca NomWork Opportunity and Responslbflity to Kids Prrogranr-
Ca1WORKs ..
_.. _
:PROGRAM' CONTRACTING OUT SERVICES
_;; ;FUNDWG,::: • The counties and state shah not contract out for CaNVORKs services except to the extent permitted by
INCENTIVES;: provisions of state and federal law that were in effect 821/96.
SANCTIONS b.
:PENALTIES OTHER COUNTY COSTS—EXEMPTIONS FROM TIME LIMITS 11454.6
(conrdj'; ; • If the total number of recipients exempted from the 60 month time limits under state law,during a period
to be determined by the federal government,exceeds the 20%exemption from time limits for'hardship*
as allowed under federal law, then the county shall be responsible for the amount of aid that would
otherwise have been paid through federal TANF block grant funds.
• This provision shall not apply If the statewide percentage of families exempted during that period is 20
percent or less.
• State DSS may determine that a county has good cause for exceeding the 20 percent limit and thus may
waive or reduce the county share requirement
• The Welfare Reform Steering Committee will review this provision to ensure that:
O The state does not exceed the limits on hardship exemptions as provided in federal law,
a Counties are not penalized for circumstances beyond their control and that statewide flexibility for
allocation of the percentages is assured;
Recipients have access to the hardship exemption,regardless of their county of residence.
' `RECIPfENT:_ GRANT PAYMENTS 11453.2
PENALTIES AND. • Vouchers or vendor payments must be issued for at least rent and utilities in cases where the parent or
3ANCTIONS- caretaker is sanctioned for 3 months or more. This requirement ends when the sanction is cured.
FRAUD AND.:
CONVICTIONS : WELFARE FRAUD 11486
• Excludes recipients for life for committing the following fraudulent acts:
d Misrepresenting their place of residence in order to receive multiple aid payments
a Claiming nonexistent children
O fraudulently receiving benefits in excess of$10,000
• Excludes recipients for the following periods for committing the following:
a Two years-fraudulent receipt of$2,000
O Five years-receipt of$2,00045,000
O Permanently-receipt of over$5,000
• Excludes recipients for the following periods for fraudulent misrepresentation or failure to disclose
information(current law):
4 Sic months-first offense
a 12 months-second offense
# Permanently-third offense
• Eachcounty shall receive 25 percent of the state share of savings resulting from the detection of fraud.
FLEEING FELONS 11486.5
• Denies CaMIORKs(and General Assistance Benefits—see below)to fleeing felons and those who are
violating probation or parole.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE CONVICTIONS AB 1008
.......................................
• A person convicted,after December 31,1997,of a felony related to the possession,use,or distribution of
a controlled:substance is ineligible for aid under CaWORKs.
• Requires the county to issue vouchers or vendor payments for at least rent and utility payments to an
eligible family that includes a member who is ineligible under these provisions.
.....
::::::GENE L ::: GENERAL ASSISTANCE PROVISIONS 17016/17021
::':ASSISTANCE .': • Prohibits any individual who has readied the 60 month time limit from receiving GA until his or her children
are 18 years or older.
• Prohibits receipt of GA while an individual is sanctioned from CeIWORKs.
• Prohibits fleeing felons from receiving GA
San Francisco County/Contra Costa County--revised 8/27/97—reph ons are shaded 1 1
California State Welfare Reform
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
P/ogMM
CallfomfB,Work or>rtrnl and R
....... tY esponsibP !o Klds Pro ram--
ty g
Flements CalWORKs'
PILOT AND `::;;' COUNTY PILOT PROJECTS—CHANGE REPORTING/PROSPECTIVE BUDGETING 11265.2
EMONSTRA-;. • Sic counties are eligible for pilot program for up to 3 years
TION PROJECTS, • Requires participant counties to conduct financial redetermination with recipients after 6 months and full
redetermination each year
•- ;;_ ,;;: Recipients are required to report under
penalty of perjury any change in income in excess of$75 each
month or a change in household composition position within 10 days
• Changes to grants will be made prospectively
COUNTY CALWORKS DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS—WELFARE-TO-WORK SERVICES 18230-8
• Allows counties to implement three-year CalWORKs demonstration projects to test altemative methods
............ .....
of service delivery and promote cross-agency collaboration to reduce duplication and fragmentation of
services.
• The county board of supervisors must
_..._. .:: rnY apply to state DDS for approval
• The Demonstration shall address one or more of the following:
4 Highly distressed geographic areas including areas of chronic high unemployment
4 Hard-to-employ target populations
4 Local labor force demands
4 Improvement of administration of program services to clients
• Demonstration projects will not be exempt from state law governing eligibility and grant levels
COUNTY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS—MICROENTERPRISE 18238
imicroenterprise •. Allows counties to implement demonstration projects to provide self-employment training and technical
demos not assistance to CalWORKs recipients or persons at risk of receiving CaW0RKs benefits.
funded in state • The training and technical assistance would assist participants in developing a small business and
::.budget) . becoming self-employed.
• Requires joint proposals from county welfare.departments and local microenterprise-service providers.
.................. .... . . ... ..
COUNTY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS—CHILD SUPPORT ASSURANCE 18241
• Up to 3 counties may participate
• County Board of Supervisors must apply for participation
• Up to 5%of the CalWORKs caseload or 8,000 persons,whichever IS greater,may participate
• -The county's administrative costs for the project are paid from its administrative allocation
• State DSS must develop evaluation
• Eligible families are those with a custodial parent who is eligible for CaIWORKs, has assigned support
rights,established paternity,obtained a child support order,chooses to participate in the demo in'liieu of
CalWORKs cash aid,continues to cooperate with the county,is employed,and has an eligible child who
resides in the county.
• Families in the demo shall receive a guaranteed child support assurance payment of the greater of.
4 the child support paid:by;the;noncustodial parent;or =--'
4 a guaranteed amount which is the sum of$250 for the first eligible child,$125 for the second eligible
child and$65 for each additional eligible child
San Francisco County/Contra Costa County--revised&27/97—rcrkwm an sba" 12
California State Welfare Reform ,as provided In AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8111197
Program t�pportunity and ResportsfblNty to IC/ds Program—
:. : Celifornla
Flements `: Ca1WORKs
=JOB CREATION, INSTRUCTIONAL AND JOB TRAINING PLAN Ch.2,10200(Ed.Code)
TRAfNING.AND • Pian required for instructional and job training services to CaWORKs recipients within the county,plan due
..'EDUCATION, ;
3/31/98.
:,WORK FORCE:: • Participation in planning process required of county superintendent of schools,school and community
PREPARATION, college districts and directors of local job training services. Plan must be approved by the county welfare
`::ECONOMIC director.
DEVELOPMENT :.
TRANSPORTATION 99155(Public Util.Code)
• There shall be dose coordination between local transit providers and county welfare departments in order
to ensure that transportation monies available for purposes of assisting CaIWORKs participants are
expended efficiently
• In areas where public transit is available,local transit providers shall consider giving priority in the use of
transit funds to the enhancement of public transportation services for welfare-to-work purposes
• In areas where public transit is unavailable, local transit providers shall consider giving priority for such
funds to transportation alternatives such as subsidies or vouchers, van pools, contract paratransit
operations,etc.,in order to promote welfare-to-work purposes
JOB CREATION INVESTMENT FUND 15365.50(Gov't.Code)
• Fund will be used by counties for strategic planning and initiatives for job creation,including funding for
capital and small business financing,developing local labor market information,and funding Neighborhood
Development Corporations. Program ends 6/302002.
• Appropriation formula:Each county gets a minimum of$50,000. The remainder is based on the relative
_. .. number of adult aid recipients and the relative number of unemployed in each county.
CALIFORNIA SAVINGS AND ASSET PROJECT 50897(Health and Safety Code)
• (see also W&I sec. 11155.2-restricted accounts)
• Project created only if state receives federal funds other than TANF for the specific stated purpose of
establishing an Individual Development Account project
• 84ble individuals can establish accounts for income,government,or private funds. These accounts can
be used to pay for tuition,purchase a principal residence,transfer to a business capitalization account,or
directly pay for a job training program.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUNDS AND JTPA WAIVER . 1611.5(Ul Code)
• $20,000,000 per year of the unemployment insurance Employment and Training Fund may be set aside
wo
for CaWORKs training. -
• Training money set aside for CaWORKs participants currently working.
• The Governor will request a waiver from Dept of Labor on two JTPA restrictions that would allow:
_..._..; :.; 4 Provision of training and post termination services for the year after placement on a job
4 The use of stand-aton job search,job dub,job search assistance,and-yrork experience activities to -5
prepare individuals for employment
REGIONAL WORKFORCE PREPARATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT 11010
• State agencies will collaborate in the development of a state workforce development system.
• he state will competitively select a minimum of five regional education, workforce preparation, and
economic development coAaboratives composed of local stakeholders inducting the welfare department,
EDD,and the JTPA administrative agency.
.........................................
• Regional collaboratives shall be selected by 7/1198,and shall receive portions of a total of$5,000,000 taken
from existing state and federal funds. The state shall pursue federal waivers to promote local.flexibility.
JOB CREATION-EDD COORDINATION 11010
• EDD will establish a council of 13 retired or former chief executive officers of major Cal'domia corporations
that will provide ongoing advice and assistance to the department in recruiting private employers to hire
recipients of aid and assist with the below.
• EDD will develop a clearinghouse for private sector employers to obtain information about assistance and
resources for hiring CeWORKs recipients and register their pledges to assist the state in finding the jobs
necessary to meet the local welfare-to-work requirements.
... • EDD w8 also provide a forum for civic and faith-based leaden,to assist the state in promoting welfare-to-
: . work goals as part of the duty of their constituents.
San Fraruisso CountplContra Costa Counfp-reviwd 8127/97 repWons are shaded 13
California State Welfare Reform
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8/11/97
Pr rainCaiffonNa Work
og Qppor iWn and ResponsibJirty to Kids Program--
_. CaIWONU
=
CHILD.::..:::: CONSOLIDATION OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS Ed.Code,82085499.7
CARE SYSTEM a The following child care provisions are repealed and replaced with three stages of child care services for
employed recipients and those in welfare-to-work programs:
4 Child Care Disregard
a Supplemental Child Care
4, Non-GAIN Education and Training Chid Care
O Cal-Learn Child Care
o Transitional Child Care
• State DSS is responsible for clients chid care during stage 1
• Counties are responsible for the transition from stages 1 to 2 and stages 2 to 3,if applicable
STAGE ONE
• For families in welfare-to-work programs
• Administered by the county welfare department
• Ma)amum stay of six months. (Term may be extended if county decides recipients situation too unstable
to be shifted to next stage or if no funds available for child care in next stage)
• County may contract for services.
STAGE TWO
• Serves parents on aid while in job training,work activities,and transitioning off of aid.
• Can serve parents for up to two years once they are off.aid.
• Administered by the Alternative Payment Programs under contract with Department of Education(DOE)
• Includes local child care resource and referral(R&R) program to assist families to establish child care
arrangements that may include licensed and license-exempt providers
• R&R co-located or in dose communication with county welfare case management system
• Each county to receive funding that at least equals 1996-97 fiscal year Income Disregard amount county
received
• Local stage two agency shall assist moving families to stage three as quickly as feasible
STAGE THREE
• Provides chid care for low-income working families.
• Administered by agencies contracting with State DOE including family day care networks,subsidized child
care centers,and alternative payment programs
• Begins when funded space is available for CaIWORKs recipients,individuals diverted from CalWORKs
through grant diversion,or former CalWORKs families who are employed at a wage that does not-exceed
75%of state median income.
_......! • County Welfare dept cannot administer this stage except to the extent it provides services to those families
receiving,or within one year of having received,AFDC prior to enactment of this section
• County Welfare dept can operate an alternative payment program under contract with State DOE to servo
families referred by chid protective services
• May be funded with moneys dedicated.to current and former recipients of aid including federal funds
appropriated to aftemative payment program contractors in 1996-97 fiscal year
• Nothing to preclude funding from other federal or state sources.
STANDARDIZATION OF CHILD CARE PROVISION
• Standardizes rates,application forms,and parent tees across all child care programs
• Estabishes a standardized income eligibility criteria for all programs of 75 percent of state median income
based on family size
• Coordinates part-day child care programs with nearby chid care services to provide full day chid care
a State DSS and DOE shall implement a standard process for complaints by parents about icense-exempt
child care
• State DSS and DOE shall present recommendations to Legislature on ways to consolidate state and
federal chid care programs
• Establishes standardized reimbursement rates for all programs
San Frmwbw County/Contra Costa Cmmty»renu d 8/27/97—revisions are shaded 14
California State Welfare Reform
as provided in AB 1542 and AB 1008,passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on 8/11/97
Program California Worlr OpporWr#ty and Responsibility to Kids Program- -
,:Eferrtents +raIINORKs
NEW CHILD CHILD CARE REIMBURSEMENT RATES
CARE SYSTEM ; • Provides that reimbursement for care be made dire ctN to child care providers
(conYd) • Cost of child care cannot exceed regional market rates of 1.5 standard deviations above the mean rate in
the local market area
.......
• Child Care reimbursement shall not exceed fees charged to private clients for the same service
• Child care provided by parents,legal guardians,or members of the assistance unit is not reimbursable
• Transition perlod.provided to allow time for development of administrative systems necessary to issue direct
payments to providers. During this period of up to six months from the effective date of this article,the
county may reimburse cost of child care services through direct payment to a recipient of aid rather than
to the child care provider.
....................................
CHILD CARE REFERRAL INFORMATION
• In response to inquiries,referring agencies must provide information on famiys ability to choose a license
exempt provider.
• Families must meet one requirement in each of the following categories:
a Category 1
a. Current aid recipient
4 Income eligible
O Homeless
4 Children in protective services or at risk
a Category 2
4 Children in protective services or at risk
O Children with medical or psychiatric special needs
b Parents in vocational training,employed or seeking employment,housing,or are incapacitated
a Priorities are given to children at risk of or in child protective services,income eligible families,
and special populations who have received waivers.
• Children in subsidized child care who were income eligible as of 12/31/97 will retain eligibility.
CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES DIRECT LOAN FUND
• Establishes in the State Treasury a loan guaranty and direct loan program to be administered by the Dept.
of Housing&Community Development to be used for the purchase,development,construction,expansion,
or improvement of licensed child care facilities.
• Priority to facilities that serve households not exceeding 75%of local median income --
• Eligible facibes include full and part day child care centers and family child care centers serving more than
6 children
BEFORE-AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
• Subjectto budget appropriation, perintendent of Public InstruiMbn may establish school-based school-
age before and after schoolprograms with priority given to school sites with a minimum of 70 percent of
children eligible for or receiving CaIWORKs
LOCAL PLANNING COUNCILS
• County Board of Supervisors and Superintendent of Schools selects members to:
O identify priorities on child care expenditures,based on needs assessments; and
- a design a system to consolidate local childcare waiting lists across programs
San Francisco County/Contra Costa County—rm1W 8/27/97 rcvkww art shadtd
15
aaaAmmt B Ca1WORIGs Programs and Services: Effective Dates
Program/ Features/Elements Effective Date for
Svc/Activity Implementation'
CalWORICs The Ca1WORKs Program replaces the 8/11/97
Enactment former AFDC and GAIN program. Some
provisions become operative immediately.
Ca1WORKs Most provisions (including 60-month 1/1/98
Effective Dates participant time limit)
Implementation All-County Letters or"similar . ACLs: 8/97-6/98
instructions" (regs due 7/1/98)
Child Care Replaces non-GAIN E &T,AFDC Child 1/1/98
Program Care Disregard, TCC, SCC
Diversion Lump sum for eligible applicants I/1/98
Welfare-to-Work Former GAIN program. Includes Based on submision and
Services individual WTW Plan which triggers 18- certification of County
24 month time limits for WTW services. Welfare Reform Plan
(1/98-4/98)
Community Supplements work activities for persons 1/1/98?
Service under state WPR and SIPs limits; required Co WR Plan Impl?
for all after W W time limits. 18-24 mos from Impl?
Mental Healtb/ Mechanisms for referrals and assessments Based on County WR
Substance Abuse for WTW participants Plan Implementation
Work Single parents 20 hours I/l/98
Participation 26 hours 7/1/98
Requirements . hours 7/I/99
`2=parent families 35 hours I/l/98 /
Child Support DAFS staff must participate in initial 1/1/98
CalWORKs interview
Sanctions 50%pass-on of federal sanctions As of enactment?
Incentives 75%of state/fed share.of savings from 1/1/98
diversion, exits due to employment and
decreased grants
Waivers/Demos Budgeting; Child Support Assurance. ASAP
RISE
1Ms is the best information available at this time and is subject to revision
Contra Costa County Plan:CaIWORKs Key Effective Dates Tabk-8139/97 1
Attachment C
County Welfare Reform Plan'
Summary of Plan Elements
(Div. 9. Part 2. Chapter 1.3. W &I Code--County Plans for CalWorksl
Sec. 32, 10530.
It is the intent of the Legislature that, in developing the plan required by this chapter,
counties shall make an effort not to duplicate planning processes that have already
occurred within the county, but rather to build upon, and incorporate where appropriate,
existing local plans that provide for a collaborative approach to employment services,
economic development and family and children's services. These shall include, but are
not limited to, county GAIN plans developed prior to CalWORKs implementation,
county plans developed pursuant to 18987.3 of the W &-I Code,econdmic development
plans, employment development plans and plans intended to guide any other local efforts
relevant to Ca1WORKs implementation.
10531.
Each county shall develop a plan consistent with state law that describes how the county
intends to deliver the full range of activities and services necessary.to move Ca1WORKs
recipients from welfare to work. The plan shall be updated as needed. The plan shall
describe:
(a) How the county will collaborate with other public and private agencies to provide
for all necessary training and support services.
(b) The county's partnerships with the private sector, including employers and
employer associations, and how those partnerships will identify jobs for
CalWO program recipients. -
(c) Other means the county will use to identify local labor market needs.
(d) The range of welfare-to-work activities the county will offer recipients and the
identification of any allowable activities that will not be offered.
(e) the process the county will use to provide for the availability of substance abuse
and mental health treatment services.
las outlined in AB 1542
County Welfare Reform Plan: Summary of Plan Ekmmts--8/21/97 Contra Costa County 1
D.
Attachment C
(f) The extent to which, and the,manner in which, mental health services will be
available to recipients after the period specified in subdivision (a) of Section
114542(a).
(g) The process the county will use to provide for child care and transportation
services.
(h) The county's community service plan.
(i) How the county will provide training of county workers responsible for working
with Ca1WORKs recipients who are victims of domestic violence.
(j) The performance outcomes identified during the local planning process that the
county or other local agencies will track in order to measure the extent to which
the county's program meets locally established objectives.
(k) . The means the county used to ensure broad public input to the development of
the county's plan.
(1) A budget that specifies the source and expenditure of funds for the program.
(m) How the county will assist families that are transitioning off aid,
(n) All necessary components of the job creation plan required by Section 15365.553
of the Government Code in counties that choose to implement the program
-- - 75
described in Chapter 1.12'�doinmencing with Section 153654) of part 6.7 of
Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
2Welfare-to-work and community service time limits
3Local job creation plans developed in collaboration with private business associations and employer
groups,CBOs,community development corporations,economic development organizations,the nonprofit
sector,advocates for recipients and low-income families and the local workforce preparation community.
This section provides for the development of a strategic plan for.the implementation of initiatives for
CalWORKs recipients under this section. A lead local agency(to be designated)would coordinate a
Welfare-To-Work Job Creation Task Force. Each participating county would receive a minimum of
$50,000(with additional monies to be distributed by a formula)from the newly-created Job.Creation I
investment Fund,administered by the Trade and Commerce Agency for the purpose of securing new,
private,unsubsidized employment for up to,500,000 persons receiving CaIWORKs benefits.
County Welfare Reform Plan: Summary of Plan Ekmmts--8/21/97--Contra Costa County 2
Attachment C
(o) Other elements identified by the director, in consultation with the steering
committee under Section 10544.5 4, including elements related to the performance
outcomes listed in Sections 10540 and 10541.
(p) How the county will comply with federal requirements of the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (Part A (commencing with Section 601) of
Subchapter 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code).
10532.
The department and the counties shall implement the provisions of the Cal WORKS
program in the following manner: •~
(a) The department shall issue a planning allocation letter and county plan
instructions to the counties within 30 days of the enactment of the CalWORKs
program.
(b) (1) Each county shall submit a plan for implementation of the CalWORKs
program within four months of the issuance of the planning allocation letter by
the department. A county may begin implementation of its plan upon submission
of the plan to the department or the effective date of the CalWORKs program,
whichever is later.
(2) Within 30 days of receipt of a county plan, the department shall either certify
that the plan includes the description of the elements required by Section 10531
and that the descriptions are consistent with the requirements of state law and,
is the-€tent applicable, federal-law or not f�=the county that the plan is not
complete or consistent stating the reasons therefore.
(3) if a county is notified that its plan is not complete or consistent, the county
shall,within 30 days,resubmit a revised plan to the department for certification.
(c) (1)A county shall begin enrolling all new applicants for aid under this chapter in
the county's welfare-to-work program no later than six months from the date of
issuance of the planning allocation letter references in subdivision (a) or two
months.after the certification of the county plan,whichever is later.
4See also Sec.33, 10544.317(a)
County.Welfare Reform Plan; Summary of Plan Elements--8121/97-Contra Costa County 3
Attachnunt C
(2) A .county shall enroll all recipients of aid under this chapter who were
receiving aid in'the month prior to the implementation date for new applicants
specified in paragraph (1) no later than January 1, 1999.. For recipients under this
paragraph,the time limit in subdivision (a) of Section 114545 shall commence on
the date the recipient signs, or refuses to sign, a welfare-to-work plan.
(d) Funds remaining at the end of the 1997/98 fiscal year or the 1998-99 fiscal year
from the funds.provided to a county in those years pursuant to Section 15204.2
shall be available to a county until.July 1, 2000, and may be expended only for
the purposes set forth in Section 15204.2
Other References to County Plan Requirements in AB 1542
Chapter 1.5 PERFORMANCE OUTCOME INCENTIVES MONITORING
Sec. 33, 10542.
(a) Each county shall, as part of its Ca1WORKs plan, identify outcomes to be tracked
on the local level that are in addition to any required to be tracked statewide.
These outcomes shall be identified through a collaborative process that includes
all local agencies and stakeholders concerned with the implementation of the
Ca1WORK.s program and its effects on local communities. The outcomes
identified may reflect goals for Ca1WORKs implementation established by the
local community, possible negative outcomes the local community wishes to
monitor, or both.
(b) The process of local identification of outcomes shall be designed to contribute to
-
._greater collaboration-among-county public and private,agencies thatt serve current
and former Cal WORKS recipients. The outcomes identified shall be those that
can be tracked in a cost-effective manner. To the extent counties identify the.
same outcomes, the department shall provide technical assistance to ensure
consistency among the counties.
(c) The outcomes that each county plans to monitor shall be included in its county
Ca1WORKs plan. The plan shall identify the outcomes, the data the county
intends to collect to monitor the outcomes and the method of data collection the
county intends to use.
518-24 months for welfare-to-work activities and subsequent community service
County Welfare Reform Plan: Summmy of Plan Elements-8/21/97--Contra Costa County 4
Attachment C
Part 3. Div. 9. Chapter 2 W I Code--CALIFORNIA.WORK OPPORTUNITY AND
RESPONSIBILITY TO KIDS ACT
Sec. 87, 11322.9
(d) The county plan pursuant to Section 10531 shall include a component, developed
by the county in collaboration with local private sector employers, local education
agencies, county welfare departments,organized labor, recipients of aid under this
chapter and government and community-based organizations providing job
training and economic development, in order to identify all of the following:
(1) Unmet community needs that could be met through community service
activities.
(2) The target population to be served.
(3) Entities responsible for project development, fiscal administration and case
management services.
(4) The terms of community service activities that, to the extent feasible, shall be
temporary and transitional, not permanent.
(5) Supportive efforts, including job search, education and training, which shall
be provided to participants in community service activities.
Sec 87, 11322.9
(f) Child care as a supportive service shall be provided to participants in community
service activities pursuant to Article 15.5 (commencing with Section 8350) of
Chapter 2 of Part 6 of the Education code, and Section 11323.2. Other
supportive services may be provided by the county at the county's option.
However, if the county does not provide mental health services pursuant to
Section 11325.7, the county shall indicate in its county plan under Chapter 1.3
(commencing with Section 10530) how mental health services needed by
participants will be made available during participation in a community service
job.
County We fare Reform Plan: Summary of Plan Ekments--8/21/97--Contra Costa County 5
Attachment C
Sec. 90, 11323.2
If provided in a county plan the county may continue to provide case management and
supportive services under this section to former participants who become subject to
paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 11320.3. The county may provide these
services for up to the first 12 months of employment to the extent that they are not
available from other sources and are needed for theindividual to retain the employment.
Sec. 114, 11325.7
(b) The county plan required by Section 10531 'shall include a plan for the
development of mental health employment assistance services, developed jointly
by the county welfare department and the county department of mental health.
The plan shall have as its goal the treatment of mental�or emotional disabilities
that may limit or impair the ability of a recipient to make the transition from
welfare to work, or that may limit or impair the ability to retain employment over
a long-term period. The plan shall be developed in a manner consistent with both
the county's welfare-to-work program and the county's consolidated mental health
Medi-Cal services plan. The county may use community-based providers, as
necessary, that have experience in addressing the needs of the CalWORKs
population. The county, whenever possible, shall ensure that the services
provided qualify for federal reimbursement of the nonstate share-of Medi-Cal
costs.
Sec. 115, 11325.8
(a) The county plan required by Section 10531 shall include a plan for the provision
of substance abuse treatment services. The plan shall describe how the county
welfare department and the county alcohol and drug program will collaborate to -
ensure an effective system is available to provide alcohol and drug services to
recipients whose substance abuse creates a barrier to employment. The plan shall
be developed in a manner that is consistent.with the county's welfare-to-work
program. Substance abuse treatment services shall include evaluations, substance
abuse treatment, employment counseling, provision of community service jobs,
or other appropriate services.
County Welfare Reform Plan: Summmy of Plan Ekments--8/21/97 Contra Costa Comfy 6
Attachment C
Sec. 121, 11327.86
(a) Except as specified in this section, whenever a participant believes that any
program requirement or assignment in this program is in violation of his or her
welfare-to-work plan or is inconsistent with this article, the participant may
request a state hearing pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 10950)
of Part 2 or utilize a formal grievance procedure to be established by the county
Board of Supervisors and specified in each county plan.
Div. 9. Part 3. Ch. 2. Article 7.5--Family Violence Option: Dome9tic Violence and
Welfare
Sec. 155, 11495.15
A county may waive a program requirement for a recipient who has been identified as
a past or present victim of abuse when it has been determined that good cause exists
pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 11320.3.
Until implementation of the regulations required pursuant to paragraph (2) of
subdivision (a) of Section 11495.17, a county may utilize standards, procedures and
protocols currently available and shall identify them in its county plan. Waivers shall
be reevaluated in accordance with other routine periodic reevaluations..by the county.
'Welfare-to-work activities and services section
7A section that describes protocols on handling cases in which recipients are past or present victims of
abuse,to be developed by a task force including representatives from CWDA and CSAC.
County Welfare Rcfmm Plan: Summary of Plan Ekmenis--8/21/97 Contra Costa County 7
Attachment D Ca1WORKs County Plan: Key Dates
Plan Element Estimated Dates
Planning Allocation Letter issued by State 30 days 9/10/97
from enactment'
County must submit plan four months from date of 1/10/98
PAL
County may begin enrolling new applicants in WTW date Plan submitted or
program on the date plan submitted or 1/1/98, 1/1/98
whichever is later
State must certify plan complete or incomplete 30 2/9/98 (if Plan submitted
days from date submitted 1/10/98)
County must begin enrolling new applicants 6 earliest: 3/10/98
months from date PAL issued or two months from latest: 4/9/98
date County Plan is certified, whichever is later.
County must enroll all Ca1WORKs participants in 1/1/99
WTW activities
'AB 1542, sec. 187,provides that nothing in the bill becomes operative until the Budget Act of
1997 is chaptered. Bill signed on 8/11 (enacted)
Contra Costa County Plan.Key Dates-8/27/97 1
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County Welfare Reform Plan Developme
CalWORKs Implementation:
Work Groups Model
Statewelfare reform, passed in August, 1997, requires both the development and
submission of a County Welfare Reform Plan and the development of new programs,
services and partnerships to implement the CalWORKs' program. The time frame for
both plan development and CalWORKs implementation is short,with some new rules
taking effect immediately, others on January 1, 1.998 and still.others in a "window" of
JanuaryApril, 1998, depending on the date the County Welfare Reform Plan is
submitted.
The"Contra Costa County Plan for CaIWORKs and State Welfare Reform" document,
dated 8/27/97, outlines the process and time frames for developing and submitting the
County Welfare Reform Plan and implementing state welfare reform. As part of that
effort, this document outlines plans for internal work groups to develop new programs
and services, and includes mechanisms for integrating the external plan development
activities into the work group process. Work group activities will be reviewed by the
Social Service Department's County Plan Advisory Group to ensure timely progress
toward County Welfare Reform Plan submission and implementation of CalWORKs.
The major areas of work for Plan development/CalWORKs implementation have been
identified as:
I. Fiscal/Facilities Development
11. Welfare-to-Work Services
III. Staff Development
IV. Automation-and Data CollectionhOutcomes
V. Program Eligibility Standards
VI. Public Input/Participation
VIL Interagency Collaboration
VIII. Staff/Participant/Public Information
This is a proposal to form work groups to address all of these areas, using existing groups
both within and outside the Social Service Department (such as Program Committees
and Redesign Action Teams and Task Forces internally, and the county-wide Work Force
'California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Program,which replaces the AFDC and GAIN
programs. State welfarereform also.includes the development of a new child care service delivery system for
aided and non-aided participants,as well as various changes to other public assistance programs.
County Welfare Reforne Plan Development/CaIWORKs Impltmentatian: Work Groups Model 1
Development Advisory Panel externally) to the extent possible in order to maximize the
resources available to complete the process of implementing Ca1WORKS and
submitting/unplementing the County Welfare Reform Plan in the time allotted. These
groups will be worldng within guidelines and direction provided by state staff,,exercising
local discretion as appropriate and allowed under those guidelines. State staff are also
forming work groups with representatives from CWDA2; their activities will be
integrated with activities at the local level as well.
Work Groups and Tasks
I. Fiscal/Facilities Development Work Group:
This work group is responsible for:
• developing a program budget for Ca1WORKs, as required by the County Welfare
Reform Plan legislation;
• ensuring that all available state and federal resources are maximized and that
Contra Costa is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to
fiscal issues;
• developing plans for remodeling of existing space and acquisition of additional
space over the next two or more years to accommodate new programs, services
and service configurations under CalWORKs.
H. Welfare-to-Work Services Work Group:
This group has responsibility for development of the Welfare-to-Work Services (WTW)
program that replaces the GAIN program. WTW, in the CalWORKs program and in
the context of Contra Costa IM/GAIN Redesign's "REACH"vision, is integrated with
cash aid eligibility services in such a way that, for nonexempt participants, WTW is the
primary service function of the Social Service Department. In this model to be
developed, an employment-focused service delivery system, 6& aid is one of many
supportive services available to WTW participants.
To operationalize this model, the work group will:
• ensure interprogram development with staff for AFDC, GAIN, Food Stamps,
Medi-Cal, Child Care, General Assistance and welfare reform planning staff;
• develop the WTW services sequence, including identification of core activities
and service standards,including coordination with fiscal/facilities work group to
develop and recommend space changes;
• recommend required hours of participation in WTW services(up to 32 hours);
2County Welfare Directors Association
County Welfare Reform Plan Depelopment/CalWORKs Implementation: Work Groups Model 2
rju
• develop processes to offer community service to Self-Initiated Program an
services participants as needed;
• work with the county-wide Work Force Development Panel and the Interagency
Collaboration work group to identify the work activities intersects and
recommend processes for CalWORKs participants to access training, education
and job readiness services;
• develop a schedule for enrollment of all nonexempt CalWORKs program
participants in WTW services by 1/1/99;
• track, through the Interagency Collaboration work group, and/or participate in the
development of the county's Community Service Plan;
• 'identify potential areas of department operation changes resulting from the
integration of'WTW services with cash aid and other programs and work with the
Eligibility Programs Standards work group to recommend changes;
• plan for the integration of the new child care services delivery system into SSD
operations;
• identify and plan for delivery of supportive services, including transportation and
ancillary services;
• identify and plan for areas of intersect with child welfare services programs (for
example,where Family Maintenance/Reunification Plans and WTW services plans
might align or conflict);
• work, through a sub-group, with the County Plan Implementation Team on an
Interagency work group for the development and operationalization of mental
health, substance abuse and domestic violence screening, evaluation and
treatment;
• develop criteria, in conjunction with the Program Eligibility. Standards work
group, for a diversion program;
• develop an employment retention function, including identification of processes
for transitional benefits delivery and case management; �.
• work with SSD welfare reform planning staff to identify participation in
demonstration projects and waiver requests;
• work on other issues as identified.
III. Staff Development Work Group:
This work group will ensure that:
• training needs for all new programs, services and program eligibility standards are
identified;
9 the appropriate staff are trained to the appropriate levels in a timely manner to
implement CalWORKs;
• ongoing training needs are identified,training developed and phased in over time;
County Welfare Reform Plain DevelopmentJCa1WORKs implementation: Work Groups Model . 3
• � V ; h
Ll4.� u
• curriculum development. includes ongoing training on organizational culture
change.
IV. Automation and Data Collection/Outcomes Work Group:
This work group is responsible for.
• identifying, recommending and tracking all necessary changes to automated
systems to implement CaIWORKs (such as budgeting, school attendance and
immunization requirements, vendor payments, child care payments, etc);
• supporting the development of realistic and cost-effective data collection methods
for the purpose of measuring outcomes and meeting state and federal reporting
requirements;
. • developing methods to track the 20%exemption from CalWORKs WTW services
for purposes of monitoring county liability for funding;
• coordinating with other groups responsible for evaluating CaIWORKs and
tracking and measuring data and outcomes;
• supporting the development, delivery and analysis of ongoing staff and program
participant surveys.
V. Program Eligibility Standards Work Group:
This work group will:
• ensure interprogram development with staff for AFDC, GAIN, Food Stamps,
Medi-Cal, Child Care, General Assistance and welfare reform planning staff;
• identify and coordinate the implementation of program eligibility standards
changes in cash and other aid programs assistance, including state-only Food
Stamp program;
0 work, with the WTW Services work group, to identify impacted areas of
.,department operatiointegration of )V Services -end cash aid and
other assistance, and recommend changes, including space changes;
• explore the feasibility of a common eligibility process;
• identify and communicate training needs to the Staff Development work group;
• work with the Automation work group to coordinate system changes;
• through a sub-group, workwith the Interagency Collaboration work group to
develop and operationalize criteria for immunization verification;
• identify and plan for intersects with.child.welfare services activities (ex: home
visits for both eligibility and child welfare,purposes);
O develop criteria and recommend operational processes for school attendance
requirements (in collaboration with WTW Services and Interagency Collaboration
work groups);
County Welfare,Reform Plan Development/Ca1WOM Impkmentabon: Work Groups Model 4
^1 ' MA
f •
• work with a sub-group including DA Investigators and internal fraud staff, to
develop standards and instructions for new fraud and sanction rules;
• work with Automation work group staff, with input from internal and external
Fraud staff on operationalizing the requirement or option that vendor/voucher
payments be made in sanctioned/time expired/substance abuse felons participants;
• work, through a sub-group with Interagency Collaboration work group, on
development of a process to implement District Attorney Family Support initial
interview processes and other Family Support processes;
• work with the welfare reform planning staff to identify participation in
demonstration projects and waiver requests;
• other activities as identified.
V1. Public Input/Participation_Work Group:
This group will:
• schedule and develop public meetings to--
v inform interested parties about state welfare reform, County Welfare
Reform Plan requirements and department activities;
gather input and report public input to County Plan Advisory Group and
other groups for consideration in the development of new programs and
services;
I gather and forward public input about locally-determined outcomes;
• publicize the public meetings and publish information about these meetings after
they are held;
• develop and coordinate one or more CaIWORKs participants discussion groups
to gather and forward input about the development of Ca1WORKs and-WTW
programs and services;
• identify and coordinate public participation in the development of the County
=welfare Reform Plan-arid the implementation of CaIWORKs;
• other activities as identified.
VII. Interaggngy Collaboration Work Group:
This work group will actually consist of a sub-groups that will collaborate on specified
areas of County Welfare Reform Plan and CaIWORKs implementation development.
County welfare reform planning staff will meet with staff from these agencies,
departments and groups individually to determine how each fits into the spectrum of
tasks and.activities to develop and implement state welfare reform at the local level.
Then, if needed, representatives from these entities will be partnered with work group
staff to develop the required new programs and services. Sub-groups identified so far
County Welfare Reform Plan Developmad/CalW0M Implementation: Work Groups Model 5
VU ,I�include:
• District Attorney's Office, Family Support Division
collocation, or availability by telephone, of DAFS staff at the time of the
initial CalWORKs interview (County Welfare Reform Plan requirement);
criteria for determination of cooperation with Family Support
requirements (DAFS responsibility);
explore the feasibility of participating in the Child Support Assurance
Demonstration project;
V criteria for determination of good cause for noncooperation with Family
Support requirements (SSD responsibility).
identification of mutual training needs.
• County Health Services Department
coordination of activities re: CalWORICs immunization requirements for
non-school-age children;
• County Mental Health and County Drug and Alcohol Divisions
development of a model for identification/screening for mental health
and/or substance abuse referrals;
(included in the model) development of criteria for determination of
treatment and integration of treatment recommendation into WTW plans;
,/- development of processes for interagency activities;
coordination of funding for Ca1WORKs mental health and/or substance
abuse treatment and activities.
• Child Care Task Force, SSD Child Care staff, Community Services Head Start
input into the development of new child_�care service delivery system;
expansion of access to child care;
expansion of child care capacity in the county;
training of child care providers;
coordination of Social Service child care payment delivery system;
other activities as identified.
• Work Force Development Panel representatives'
linkages for development of the county's Community Service Plan;
'This group includes representatives from: the Contra Costa and City of Richmond Private Industry
Councils: the three Employment Development Department offices in the county; Adult Education, K-12,
Community Colleges;employer groups; Social Services;and others.
County Welfare Reform Plan Development/CaIWORKs Implementation: Work Groups Model f)
development of education, training and job readiness activities for WTW
participants;
v coordination of the Regional Work Force Preparation and Economic
Development Act implementation (including the establishment of a
Neighborhood Development Corporation);
development of the Job Creation Task Force, if applicable;
development of activities re: job creation investment fund;
identification of uses for EDD Employment and Training Fund monies;
,r partnerships with the private sector to identify jobs (County Welfare
Reform Plan requirement);
identification of local labor market needs (County Welfare Reform Plan
requirement);
v other activities as identified.
• Transit Providers
I MTC, County Connection, WESTCAT, Tri-Delta Transit, BART, AC
Transit--to coordinate funding priorities for urban and rural areas (existing
transit and transit alternatives) and to identify service and coordination-of-
services needs.
• Board of Supervisors/Family and Human Services Subcommittee/Board Staff
f coordination of public input and interagency meetings;
receive progress reports on welfare reform County Plan
development/CalWORKs implementation;
,( coordination of application for Neighborhood Development Corporation
status (with Community Development Department and other agencies/
groups);
d development of a grievance procedure for certain WTW issues;
development of child care services delivery system
coordination with the activities of the Children's Policy Forum.
• Probation Department
participation, as appropriate, in development of Comprehensive Youth
Services Act services.
• Domestic Violence Groups
gather input on development of a protocol for evaluating risk of abuse for
domestic violence victims participating in Ca1WORKs program
requirements;
recommendations on the development of criteria for waiving program
County Welfare Reform Plan Devekp?nMt/CalWORKs Impkmentahm Work Groups Model 7
• nn
!.l : 2
requirements for.domestic violence victims;
recommendations on development of integration of domestic violence
services in WTW plans.
• Cities
f determination of impacts of welfare reform at the city level;
development of linkages and intersects among city activities and services
with those of the SSD and other groups working on welfare reform.
• Schools, School.Districts, Community Colleges, State Colleges and Universities
participate in development, as appropriate, of Instructional and Job
Training Plan;
,( coordinate in the development of processes to evaluate Self-Initiated
Programs;
coordination of development of processes for monitoring school attendance
of children receiving CalWORKs benefits;
,r determine areas of linkage for employment, training and job readiness
activities;
participate as appropriate in developing Ca1WORKs evaluation.
• District Attorney's Office, Welfare Fraud Investigations Division/SSD Fraud Staff
collaboration in the development of criteria and processes to implement
new sanction legislation;
I identification of potential savings re: detection of fraud;
I developing processes, in collaboration with program and systems staff, for
operationalizing"fleeing felon" and substance abuse conviction legislation
• Other groups as.identified
VIII. Staff/Participant/Public Information Work Group:
This group will ensure that staff, CalWORKs and other public assistance participants
and the public are informed about the changes taking place over the next few months.
Activities include:
,I a series of mailings to program participants and job-seekers to inform them
about welfare reform changes;
,r coordination of speakers, to make SSD staff available to inform a variety
of audiences about welfare reform;
I development of other internal and general public informational materials
County Wdfare Reform Plan DevelvpmenVCalW0M ImpLa=tahon: Work Groups Model 8
relating to Ca1WORKs and welfare reform.
other activities as identified.
Summary
The tasks to be accomplished over the next few months are many and challenging. The
"work group" model is designed as part of an overall process to provide a timely,
coordinated and comprehensive response to the call for development of the County
Welfare Reform Plan and the implementation of Ca1WORKs and state welfare reform.
County Welfare Reform Plan Development/CaIWORKs Implementation: Work Groups Model 9
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County Welfare Reform Plan Developme
CaIWORKs Implementation:
Work Groups Model
State welfare reform, passed in August, 1997, requires both the development and
submission of a County Welfare Reform Plan and the development of new programs,
services and partnerships to implement the CalWORKs' program. The time frame for
both plan development and CalWORKs implementation is short,with some new rules
taking effect immediately, others on January 1, 1998 and still others in a "window" of
January-April, . 1998, depending on the date the County Welfare Reform Plan is
submitted.
The"Contra Costa County Plan for CalWORKs and State Welfare Reform" document,
dated 8/27/97, outlines the process and time frames for developing and submitting the
County Welfare Reform Plan and implementing state welfare reform. As part of that
effort, this document outlines plans for internal work groups to develop new programs
and services, and includes mechanisms for integrating the external plan development
activities into the work group process. Work group activities will be reviewed by the
Social Service Department's County Plan-Advisory Group to ensure timely progress
toward County Welfare Reform Plan submission and implementation of CalWORKs.
The major areas of work for Plan development/CalWORKs implementation have been
identified as:
I. Fiscal/Facilities Development
II. Welfare-to-Work Services
III. Staff Development
IV. Automation-and Data Collection,Outcomes =
V. Program Eligibility Standards
VI. Public Input/Participation
VII. Interagency Collaboration
VIII. Staff/Participant/Public Information
This is a proposal to form work groups to address all of these areas, using existing groups
both within and outside the Social Service Department (such as Program Committees
and Redesign Action Teams and Task Fomes internally, and the county-wide Work Force
1 California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids.Program,which replaces the AFDC and GAIN
programs..State welfare reform also-includes the development of a new child care service delivery system for
aided and non-aided participants,as well as various changes to other public assistance programs.
County Welfare Rcform..Ptan DePdopmmt/Ca1WORKs Ympkrnentation: Work Groups Makl 1
d � .
Development Advisory Panel externally) to the extent possible in order to maximize the
resources available to complete the process of implementing CalWORKS and
submitting/implementing the County Welfare Reform Plan in the time allotted. These
groups will be worldng within guidelines and direction provided by state staff, exercising
local discretion as appropriate and.allowed under those guidelines. State staff are also
forming work groups with representatives from CWDA2; their activities will be
integrated with activities at the local level as well.
Work Groups and Tasks
I. Fiscal/Facilities Development Work Group:
This work group is responsible for. .
• developing a program budget for CalWORKs, as required by the County Welfare
Reform Plan legislation;
• ensuring that all available state and. federal resources are maximized and that
Contra Costa is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to
fiscal issues;
• developing plans for remodeling of existing space and acquisition of additional
space over the next two or more years to accommodate new programs, services
and service configurations under CalWORKs.
II. Welfare-to-Work Services Work Group:
This group has responsibility for development of the Welfare-to-Work Services (WTW)
program that replaces the GAIN program. WTW, in the CalWORKs program and in
the context of Contra Costa IM/GAIN Redesign's "REACH" vision, is integrated -with
cash aid eligibility services in such a way that, for nonexempt participants, WTW is the
primary service function of the Social Service Department. In this model to be
developed, an employment-f6edsed service delivery system, cas1� `aid is one of many
supportive services available to WTW participants.
To operationalize this model, the work group will:
0 ensure interprogram development with staff for AFDC, GAIN, Food Stamps,
Medi-Cal, Child Care, General Assistance and welfare reform planning staff;
• develop the WTW services sequence, including identification_of core activities
and service standards,including coordination with fiscal/facilities work group to
develop and recommend space changes;
• recommend required hours of participation in WTW services(up to 32 hours);
2County Welfare Directors Association
County Weyare Reform Plan Developmentl alWOM Implementation: Work Groups Modd 2
- V • iL
EP
• develop processes.to offer community service to Self-Initiated Program an
Pcdi-A�
services participants as needed;
0 work with the county-wide Work Force Development Panel and the Interagency
Collaboration work group to identify the work activities intersects and
recommend processes for CaIWORKs participants to access training, education
and job readiness services;
• develop a schedule for enrollment of all nonexempt CalWORKs program
participants in WTW services by 1/1/99;
• track, through the Interagency Collaboration work group, and/or participate in the
development of the county's Community Service Plan;
• 'identify potential areas of department operation changes- resulting from the
integration of WTW services with cash aid and other programs and work with the
Eligibility Programs Standards work group to recommend changes;
• plan for the integration of the new child care services delivery system into SSD
operations;
• identify and plan for delivery of supportive services, including transportation and
ancillary services; '
• identify and plan for areas of intersect with child welfare services programs (for
example,where Family Maintenance/Reunification.Plans and W,IW services plans
might align or conflict);
• -work, through a sub-group, with the County Plan Implementation Team on an
Interagency work group for the development and operationalization of mental
health, substance abuse and domestic violence screening, evaluation and
treatment;
• develop criteria, in conjunction with. the Program Eligibility Standards work
group, for a diversion program;
6 develop an employment retention function, including identification of processes
for transitional benefits delivery and case management;
• work with SSD welfare reform planning staff to_identify participation in
demonstration projects and waiver requests;
• work on other issues as identified.
III. Staff Develpl2ment Work Group:
This work group will ensure that:
• training needs for all new programs, services and program eligibility standards are
identified;
• the appropriate staff are trained to the appropriate levels in a timely manner to
implement Ca1WORKs;
ongoing training needs are identified, training developed and phased in over time;
County Wdfarc Reform Plan DevdopmrnVGa1WOM rmpkmentation: Work Groups Model 3
• curriculum development includes ongoing training on organizational culture
change.
N. Automation and Data Collection/Outcomes Work Group
This work group is responsible for.
• identifying, recommending and tracking all necessary changes to automated
systems to implement Ca1WORKs (such as budgeting, school attendance and
immunization requirements, vendor payments, child care payments, etc);
• supporting the development of realistic and cost-effective data collection methods
for the purpose of measuring outcomes and meeting state and federal reporting
requirements;
• developing methods to track the 20%exemption from CakWORKs WT W services
for purposes of monitoring county liability for funding;
• coordinating with other-groups responsible for evaluating CalWORKs and
tracking and measuring data and outcomes;
• supporting the development,delivery and analysis of ongoing staff and program
participant surveys.
V. Program Eligibility Standards Work Group:
This work group will:
• ensure interprogram development with staff for AFDC, GAIN, Food Stamps,
Medi-Cal, Child Care, General Assistance and welfare reform planning staff;
• identify and coordinate the implementation of. program eligibility standards
changes in cash and other aid programs assistance, including state-only Food
Stamp program;
work, with the WTW Services work, group, to identify impacted areas of
department operations-dueto integration of NV VV Services fid cash aid and
other assistance, and recommend changes, including space changes;
• explore the feasibility of a common eligibility process;
• identify and communicate training needs to the Staff Development work group;
6 work with the Automation work group to coordinate system changes;
• through a sub-group, work with the Interagency Collaboration work group to
develop and operationalize criteria for immunization verification;
• identify and plan for intersects with.child.welfare services activities (ex: home
visits for both eligibility and child welfare purposes);
• develop criteria and recommendoperational processes for school attendance
requirements (in collaboration with WT'W Services and Interagency Collaboration
work groups);
County Wdfare Reform Plan DePdopmmvcaIWOM rmpkmcntadom Work Groups Model 4
,
i_�A
1> X
t ,�
TV
• work with a sub-group including DA Investigators and internal fraud staff, to
develop standards and instructions for new fraud and sanction rules;
• work with Automation work group staff, with input from internal and external
Fraud staff on operationalizing the requirement or option that vendor/voucher
payments be made in sanctioned/time expired/substance abuse felons participants;
• work, through a sub-group with Interagency Collaboration work group, on
development of a process to implement District Attorney Family Support initial
interview processes and other Family Support processes;
• work with the welfare reform planning staff to identify participation in
demonstration projects and waiver requests;
• other activities as identified.
VI. Public Input/Participation Work Group: -
This group will:
• schedule and develop public meetings to--
inform interested parties about state welfare reform, County Welfare
Reform Plan requirements and department activities;
I gather input and report public input to County Plan Advisory Group and
other groups for consideration in the development of new programs and
services;
d gather and forward public input about locally-determined outcomes;
• publicize the public meetings and publish information about these meetings after
they are held;
• develop and coordinate one or more CaI.WORKs participants discussion groups
to gather and forward input about the development of Ca1WORKs and'WTW
programs and services;
• identify and coordinate public participation in the development of the County..
�- mare Reform.Plan-and.the implementation of Ca1WORKs;
• other activities as identified
V1I. Interagency Collaboration Work Groupi
This work group will actually consist of a sub-groups that will collaborate on specified
areas of County Welfare Reform Plan and Ca1WORKs implementation development.
County welfare reform planning staff will meet with staff from these agencies,
departments and groups individually to determine how each fits into the spectrum of
tasks and.activities to develop and implement state welfare reform at the local level.
Then, if needed, representatives from these entities will be partnered with work group
staff to .develop the required new programs and services. Sub-groups identified so far
County Wdfare Reform Plan Dendopma *rdWOM Implementation: Work Groups MoM 5
r " U v MA
. `
include:
• District Attorney's Office, Family Support Division
-1 collocation, or availability by telephone, of DAFS staff at the time of the
initial CalWORKs interview (County Welfare Reform Plan requirement);
V criteria for determination of cooperation with Family Support
requirements (DAFS responsibility);
explore the feasibility of participating in the Child Support Assurance
Demonstration project;
criteria for determination of good cause for noncooperation with Family
Support requirements (SSD responsibility).
V identification of mutual training needs.
• County Health Services Department
coordination of activities re: CalWORKs immunization requirements for
non-school-age children;
• County Mental Health and County Drug and Alcohol Divisions
development of a model for identification/screening for mental health
and/or substance abuse referrals;
f (included in the model) development of criteria for determination of
treatment and integration of treatment recommendation into WTW plans;
development of processes for interagency activities;
coordination of funding for CalWORKs mental health and/or substance
abuse treatment and activities.
• Child Care Task Force, SSD Child Care staff, Community Services Head Start
input into the development of new child-care service delivery system; . «ry
expansion of access to child care;
expansion of child care capacity in the county;
V training of child care providers;
coordination of Social Service child care payment delivery system;
other activities as identified.
• Work Force Development Panel representatives'
linkages for development of the county's Community Service Plan;
'This group includes representatives from: the Contra Costa and City of Richmond Private Industry
Councils: the three Employment Development Department offices in the county;Adult Education, K-12,
Community Colleges;employer groups;Social Services;and others.
County Weyarc Reform Plan Devclopment/Ca1WORKs Implementation: Work Groups Model 6
1J "
I development of education, training and job readiness activities for W'I'W
participants;
v coordination of the Regional Work Force Preparation and Economic
Development Act implementation (including the establishment of a
Neighborhood Development Corporation);
I development of the Job Creation Task Force, if applicable;
d development of activities re: job creation investment fund;
I identification of uses for EDD Employment and Training Fund monies;
I partnerships with the private sector to. identify jobs (County Welfare
Reform Plan requirement);
I identification of local labor market needs (County Welfare Reform Plan
requirement);
I other activities as identified.
• Transit Providers
I N1TC, County Connection, WESTCAT, Tri-Delta Transit, BART, AC
Transit—to coordinate funding priorities for urban and rural areas (existing
transit and transit alternatives) and to identify service and coordination-of-
services needs.
• Board of Supervisors/Family and Human Services Subcommittee/Board Staff
I coordination of public input and interagency meetings;
I receive progress reports on welfare reform County Plan
development/CalWORKs implementation;
I coordination of application for Neighborhood Development Corporation
status (with Community Development Department and other agencies/
groups);
I development of a grievance procedure for certain W'I'W issues;
r -1 development of dda care services delivery systehi--. `
I coordination with the activities of the Children's Policy Forum.
• Probation Department
I participation, as appropriate, in development of Comprehensive Youth
Services Act services.
• Domestic Violence Groups
I gather input on development of a protocol for evaluating risk of abuse for
domestic violence victims participating in CaIWORKs program
requirements;
,,r recommendations on the development of criteria for waiving program
County Welfare Reform Plan D"ckpment/Ca1WORKs Implementad= Work Groups MoM 7
requirements for domestic violence victims; `•-�'''
I recommendations on development of integration of domestic violence
services in WTW plans.
• Cities
I determination of impacts of welfare reform at the city level;
I development of linkages and intersects among.city activities and services
with those of the SSD and other groups working on welfare reform.
• Schools, School Districts, Community Colleges, State Colleges and Universities
participate in development, as appropriate, of Instructional and Job
Training Plan;
d coordinate in the development of processes to evaluate Self-Initiated
Programs;
I coordination of development of processes for monitoring school attendance
of children receiving CalWORKs benefits;
,( determine areas of linkage for employment, training and job readiness
activities;
participate as appropriate in developing CalWORKs evaluation.
• District Attorney's Office,Welfare Fraud Investigations Division/SSD Fraud Staff
collaboration in the development of criteria and processes to implement
new sanction legislation;
d identification of potential savings re: detection of fraud;
d developing processes, in collaboration with program and systems staff, for
operationalizing"fleeing felon" and substance abuse conviction legislation.
• Other groups as identified
VIII. Staff/Participant/Public Information Work Group:
This group will ensure that staff, CalWORKs and other public assistance participants
and the public are informed about the changes,taking place over the next few months.
Activities include:
a.series of mailings.to program participants and job-seekers to inform them
about welfare reform changes;
,( coordination of speakers,to make SSD staff available to inform a variety
of audiences about welfare reform;
I development of other internal and general public informational materials
County Welfare Reform Plant Dmckpv=VCdWORKs Xmpkm=VM0M Work Groups Model 8
relating to Ca1WORKs and welfare reform.
other activities as identified.
Summary
The tasks to be accomplished over the next few months are many and challenging. The
"work group" model is designed as part of an overall process to provide a timely,
coordinated and comprehensive response to the call for development of the County
Welfare Reform Plan and the implementation of Ca1WORKs and state welfare reform.
County Welfare Reform Plan Development/CalWOPKs Xmpkmentatiom Work Groups Model 9
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R � WE LFARE4R 'FORM .t. .
, E
Bulletin 97=04 f Y September, 1997
Gontra Costa County Social Service Department
This is the fifth in a'series of u tes from the Contra Costa Coun Soc>al'Service De artment SSD on the
P ty _ P ( )
subject of Welfire`Reforin.These bulletins'will be issued quarterly or as-needed to inform Social Services staff,
.F..
other`agenaies, public offieiaLs, employers, non-profits,social service program participants and others in the
commuiu as utformat on becomes.available This Bulletin outlines;the.new state welfare reform law,
It
including the creation of ahe CalWORKs program to replace AFDC and GAIN, and County Welfare Reform }
Plan requirennents:
CaIWORKs-WORK OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO KIDS PROGRAM
TnAugust, 1997,the Legislature.passed, and the Governor signed, bills to create a new program that;replaces
:AFDC and GAIN;'i nplements'federal welfare`reform requirements and addresses major welfare refozm issues
-such as job creation and economic development,local and regioi a1 partnerships, mobilization of many state
agencies to offer education and training and support services. The key features of the new CalWORlrs program
.,..are.,outlined below,"along with the:requirements
for a County Welfare Reform Plan,-key welfare reform
'Unplementation dates and proposed strategies for a coordinated, comprehensive county-wide mobilization to
meet challenges of welfarere£orm.
What is CaIWORKs?
Ca1WORKs is the state program that replace the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)and
,Greater Avenues for Independence:(GAIN) programs.in Califori iia.., CalWORKs is.designed to implement
federal welfare reform requirements outlined mi last year's federal welfare reform law, the Work Opportunity
and Personal Responsibility Reconciliation Act of 1996..,The Ca1WORKs program is funded , a combination
of fedezal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.(TANF) block grant funds, required state mauntenance=of
effort(MOE) funds,and county funds &5
x,zF�l,.
- 1 x
Vf/hat are the key features of the Ca/WORKs program anal state weffare reform?
State Lfetime limits oC60'."months for nonexempt adults begin 1/1/98 Since federal;timeclimits'for t
z �'✓,.�� ��. fi. .. .rpt..:, + A,.�-�k'��,„:1 k.�.�.;' ,s - o`-,#'!rf . v 5 .1..-.:>e,Nr ;: r s r•�u .mit s'•..� �i3t"�%ib4*s��3,S�kI.E.:.f � it.k
�fastulies;be an in 11%96 smonths of aid lie and 2001£o 'yycyertain paztic�pants will be istate'f
!i h.'.•2g .r. S { A d A`. y JSK-A
r,. Nix
*++.",' ++ `: rys-q� -' 9 i F �' . c y1 T^r N.d-3i• c* d. ` r " yt >*
ze x' »,
404_ 041 004 .: 32 .."k•?r'3°F`�✓„�
,ACoun}�Welfaretl� -to Plan reli�ired by about 5 mionths;rom now This lan' ust escxxbe o�w �
�..lyiyt��yU�v>r�xX yx, w �4�-A` a�r? -s� iL, �r ,'s�s'S�'r3��.;;,r�,�k��-
r; ,.
the:county will address many elements:and ser�v¢ices required unyyder the new law,a r
t�t Y' v!3e` - �,u..' r:y:�tSoY,." 1 w.,$Yi• 'f.� ��'i� '� �" '�,!1 ;�.h ��;1 u p z � r
elfare=to- DirPa_rtici anon uizemeints� one�ce t.a�duts ' t' uivo, ear - Dirk
efirvxfi f,Ii a 0 o eek as.o 98 >n t ;A 8 and- 2'' urs
o Brit ` 'n arc arm
y�.
F
..,r.:.u.,..;r..{,. : _....:;.7t., _�....., ..: y.�...,.. ..,,, ,: ."< .. �5..•. � .. l'?. ._. . .. ;a•;'.. �,?�'` n...�n ,. Yr'a¢".....}¢ ,. _...._. ,- ,., _ ....,,.-+` .., - .. .:fu..
_9
Felony Convictions anyone concocted of a felony mvolvung a controlled sub , ,stance after 12/3I/97, barred�R4
by.h ( y L ?f, .q, t.:•? t .s '.( ,}„ ]; i ftE fi ! g1 1'fi'+lyR 4,11'. A
for L{fe from'Ca1WORKs `
14-,i
''� `t�,t & :4 •Rrt1.'i:.j- -� jµ S ",hf+ E:
•<x. .y.. ct tx:}•E. ✓ .t4��'�R,;. ��'"�-lid���'�.
• `Counties'can'`apply to be included in waiverrs ani emonstration protects to test new budgeting ,
systems, altexnative WTW models, child support assurance or nucxoenterpnse programs' -�
• Job ctreation and economic development task foi�oes,boards and funding are" d to CaIWORI's law
County Social Service Departments.must partner with.public and private agencies and groups,'ani$wit ,{
employer`communnitiy; to"create jobs aril services for W'TW paiticipanits� �
,.•t .f °p-E.-. ,r rye, �� fi 1r! ix.<
What is the County Welfare Reform Plan?
Under the terms iof the new state welfare laws, every county in California must submita County�17elfarC
Reform Plan that outlines various activities and processes at the local level }It is.- Intent o£the I egrslature r ��
that the Plan bu>Id on,not supeisede;welfare refozin efforts already underway tun the county ;Tlus�i neazis;that; t
4 ei 4\.:^
in Contra Costa County,part of the Plan will be documenting current efforts ltketthe SSD Redesign; the Onec
Stop yEmployment Services efforts underway by`the'Contra Costa Nand Richmond Private Industry,,Coiuicds ,::.
(PTCs),the Childrezn,s Policy Forum, the county wide Work Force Development AdvisoryPanel (conststtng§of 4:
the heads of the SSD, PTCs, EDD, Comma uty Colleges;Adult EducatioWK 12,employer groups and otheis) f;
and other efforts. t
However,there are other Plan elements that require us`to develop new processes and services; to identifyand
measure outcomes,`and to work with others to make.new plans for welfare reform We will be working hard
to develop and/or document these in the.Plan. The Plan must be submitted to the state by-about'S months '
from now .;,Some of the elements o£the plani include:
F
How the county will collaborate.with other public and private agencies to provide for training and support,_
servrces ,.
• The county's patnerslups with the private sector, including employers and employer associations,`and how
those artnerslu swill Iden obs for Ca1WORKs program m reel lents 'f
P P t'f3'l P P
Means the county will use to identify local labor market needs.
• The range of welfare to-work activities the county will offer rec�pnents and the identification of any:_allowable
activities that will not be offered r ,� 1
• Tle"process the county will use to provide for the availability o£ substance abuse and mental health` x>
_ � � � -
treatmeht services for welfare to,work'participants r
,The steps`the county will take to provide for child care and transportation seances F'
The county's "pre employment" community service plan. r$�h ';
r -r: x. r r�. a y'p!. SR3' Sc' .f
Coun trauung CaIWORKs articipants who are victims of domes_ c violence ' s -� ' `
4.
G £ePTNt '"f.: .W+,<`..':.:;'fig S!'.'.' .2'2':47. •'ti:('Yt wv•`.;!'1 1:' t
' The erformance outcomes dentified durung the local planning process that the county3br therocal
cies`wxllatr ckto measue{tlieextent to�wluch thecoun s roj(e�Y'�'�� x meetsocallYsestablishro eetives
5te+d' .DY+•x,:a.: . ,i? ..•'Ii.gr � 's.# r ,�.:x<,wf••t�:. +pw `y}r 'S��'i ': -, ' ..�C:` y&2s _! s}r3u" ,.,F•
��The meansthe:county used to ens�u�reroad public input to the:,development of the coon p
6� t;z � s #`+z w'.; +'•4ct, '",+ tai }�Y c`?.l.err � "l dna'✓kr ty�`y �
v
,:.DU aget t`sVedues the source-> d expenditure�of,£ands for the ro, 2m�'`•�,, l
.._-}' • `� �°�+�-'�'�`` --a �t Lw:sra..�< ';}?�+��{a3,:hs . �t tri w°'"¢t-Y
_� o e coon will assist amitE
Re'
aware transitioning off aic r
a eralru reiments�o " e Filo az�t;
`� ars arnt ulIclin„ •4—, ar . orm
'1
Questions and Answers about the County Welfare Reform Plan and
Ca1WORKs Implementation
What is the County Welfare Reform Plan?
The County Welfare Reform Plan is a document that is required from each county
telling how it will implement the new state welfare reform laws passed in August, 1997.
Included in the new laws are specific requirements for the content of each county's plan.
The plan must describe various aspects of the county's welfare reform service delivery
efforts, both in and outside the Social Service Department.
What is CaIWORKs?
"CalWORKs" is the name of the state's new program to replace AFDC and GAIN.
CalWORKs stands for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids. Like
the federal welfare reform laws passed in 1996, CalWORKs is time-limited and contains
work participation requirements which must be met by each county. There are other
new programs and services, such as a set of "welfare-to-work" services, a "diversion"
program, a new child care service and payment delivery system, a community service
plan, and an employment retention function, among others, that must be developed and
implemented soon to meet Ca1WORKs requirements.
How long do we have to develop the County Welfare Reform Plan and implement
CaIWORICs?
Some CaIWORKs rules took effect when the laws were signed, in August.-Most of the
CalWORKs rules take effect in January, 1998. Each county must submit its County
Welfare Reform Plan by January, 1998. Some of the new rules, notably a county's new
"welfare-to-work" services, begin for new participants between January and April, 1998,
and must be phased in for all participants by the end of 1998.
What is the framework for developing the County Welfare Reform Plan and
implementing CalWORKs?
There will be a variety of activities going on in the next few months. They include:
• Documentation of existing welfare reform efforts in the county, including
IM/GAIN Redesign, the county Work Force Development Panel and others
• Meetings with other departments, agencies and groups with identified.mandates
under the new welfare reform laws
• Public forums and development of mechanisms for input from program
1
participants and from the public
• Development of a new child care service delivery system and a community service
plan
• Formation of a Social Service Department County Plan Advisory Group to give
input to the process of developing the County Welfare Reform Plan and the
implementation of Ca1WORKs
• Social Service work groups to develop the new programs and services mandated
by welfare reform
What is the County Plan Advisory Group?
County Plan Advisory Group (CPAG) has been formed to get input from, and inform,
staff about the work being done to achieve two goals mandated by state welfare reform:
• Develop the County Welfare Reform Plan
• Implement the new CalWORKs program
This group is an ad hoc group that is expected to meet about every 4 weeks to review
progress toward these goals and offer input.
Who are the members of CPAG?
• Line staff representing SEIU and AFSCME
0 Social Service Department Executive Team
• Division Managers for IM/GAIN/Child Care Policy, GA, Welfare Reform
Planning, Staff Development and Social Services/Child Welfare
• Redesign Action Team Coordinators and Task Force Chairs
• Program Analysts for AFDC, GAIN, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, Welfare Reform
Planning, Child Care
0 Personnel, Information Technology, Fiscal, Facilities and Program Integrity
Managers/staff
What are the Social Service workgroups going to do?
The work groups will bring together members of existing groups, such as the Program
Committees, Redesign Action Teams (including Pilot Unit staff) and Task Forces; and
administrative support staff from Fiscal, Information Technology, Facilities and Welfare
Reform Planning to work on the new programs and services that must be developed to
implement Ca1WORKs.
2
How are the work groups and the CPAG related?
Work group members will report their progress toward developing new programs and
services at each CPAG meeting to keep the advisory group informed. The advisory group
can.then offer input into the development of these new programs and services.
How will these efforts be integrated with existing department activities,
particularly the IM/GAIN Redesign?
The goal of the efforts of the next few months is to maximize the resources we already
have working on welfare reform efforts--namely the Program Committees and Redesign
Action Teams and Task Forces. The IM/GAIN Redesign is in Phase II of
implementation. All the Task Forces and Action Teams are represented on the CPAG
and will be part of the work groups to implement Ca1WORKs. Redesign activities, such
as the pilot projects, lobby redesign and community/employment resources efforts, will
continue during the time the CPAG and work groups are convened.
After the new programs and services are developed, local Action Teams and department-
wide Task Forces will play a major role in the implementation of Ca1WORKs in the local
offices. Action Teams and Task Forces will continue to operate after the work of the
CPAG and Ca1WORKs work groups is completed.
Why do we have to do so much, so fast?
There are several reasons:
• The County Welfare Reform Plan/Ca1WORKs implementation requires
substantial .change to department policies and operations, and'in a very- short
time. The "lifetime limit time dock" of 60 months begins for every current,
nonexempt AFDC participant on January 1. 1998. We must implement certain
rules, such as neva budgeting and asset determination methods as well as the new
child care system, on that date. In addition, most adults participating in
CalWORKs will begin participating in "welfare-to-work" services soon after our
County Welfare Reform Plan is submitted. The sooner we can offer new services
to our participants, the sooner they can partner with us to achieve their self-
sufficiency goals.
• The County Welfare Reform Plan requires that our department collaborate in a
substantive way with other departments, agencies, groups and the public to ensure
that employment and support services resources are maximized and most
effectively utilized. Many partners have a role in welfare reform at the local level.
It takes a big effort to organize all the input and cross-collaboration that must be
3
completed to implement CaIWORKs. The SSD Welfare Reform Planning staff
will contact and meet with many outside groups and, as appropriate, bring outside
groups into contact with the SSD work groups for specific implementation efforts.
• There are some sanctions we can avoid, and incentives we can take advantage,
that start in the time frames mentioned above. Counties which fail to meet e
work participation rates requirements will lose money if the state is sanctioned by
the federal government for this reason. On the plus side, counties have the
opportunity to keep, and reinvest in CaIWORKs, monies saved by helping
families get jobs, stay employed, or avoid CaIWORKs altogether.
4
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