HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10221991 - 2.3 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on Beet_,,22 , 1991 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson, Powers
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: Discretionary Social Welfare )
Programs adopted pursuant to ) Resolution No. 91/711
Government Code section 26227 )
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors resolves:
In addition to the aid and' care which it must provide under
Welfare and Institutions Code section 17000, or any other aid and care
which is mandated by law, acting under the authority of Government
Code section 26227 to establish discretionary . county programs to meet
the social needs of the population of the County, the Contra Costa
County Board of Supervisors hereby adopts and establishes the
following programs. Notwithstanding that the following programs
comprise conditions to eligibility for benefits under Welfare and
Institutions Code section 17000 or otherwise, no person may claim or
demand the benefits of any of the following programs as an
entitlement. If any of the following programs which is a condition to
General Assistance eligibility 'is unavailable, General Assistance
eligibility will not -be subject to that condition.
1. To meet the General Assistance goal of self-sufficiency through
employment, and to assist more recipients to maintain jobs, the Social
Service Department shall adopt policies for two work incentive
programs (set forth below) for Employable General Assistance
recipients; to be applied in conjunction with the employment services
program provided pursuant to Board Resolution No. 91/607 .
- a. Work incentives should be set at a level sufficient to
encourage recipients to find employment. The work experience will
promote self-esteem and dignity, which are necessary for eventual
self-sufficiency.
b. Work incentives should encourage recipients to retain
employment.
C. Work incentives should encourage recipients to find work
that provides sufficient income and upward mobility to ensure eventual
self-sufficiency.
2. Program: Income Disregard for Employable General Assistance
Eligibles
a. The Social Service Department shall adopt policies for an
Income Disregard work incentive program, which will be a pilot
program.
b. A portion of monthly gross earnings shall be disregarded in
determining. General Assistance eligibility and benefit levels
according to a percentage scale, �as follows:
Amount of earnings disregarded
First $100 1000
Second $100 67%
Third $100 50%
Fourth $100 33%
Fifth $100 20%
Sixth $100 -0-
C. The disregard may be allowed for a period not to exceed
three months..
RESOLUTION NO. 91/711
a.t
2. Program: General Assistance Grant Diversion
a. The Social Service Department shall adopt policies for a
Grant� Diversion work incentive program, which will be a pilot program.
b. The General Assistance grant payment will be utilized s a
wage subsidy paid to private sector employers.
C. Employers must pay minimum wage or more. The recipient must
be employed at least 80 hours per month. The recipient will receive
regular paychecks and any other benefits provided by the employer as a
member of the employer's work force. The--employer must have Worker's
compensation.
d. An amount equal to the individual's monthly General
Assistance grant is diverted to the employer for a period not to
exceed three months.
e: The employer must agree to retain the recipient as an
employee once the subsidy period ends, unless a valid reason for
termination exists.
f. For the duration .of the Grant Diversion contract, the
recipient will continue to receive the services. of the Employment
Services staff.
g. Once a grant diversion job placement has taken place,
participation is mandatory. Failure or refusal to cooperate with Grant
Diversion program requirements, without good cause, will result in
discontinuance of General. Assistance, and a period of ineligibility
will be applied.
I hereby cortify that this is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on 1ho date shown.
ATTESTED: i -k/ ;Z_
PHIL BATCHELOR, Cicrk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
By ___ f Deputv
Resolution No. 91/ 711
cc: County Counsel
Social Service
County Administrator
Auditor-Controller
cll 2, 3
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES WORK INCENTIVE POLICIES:
INCOME DISREGARD AND GRANT DIVERSION
October 22, 1991
SERVICES FOR EMPLOYABLE RECIPIENTS
GOAL: PROVIDING EMPLOYABLE CLIENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO
OBTAIN AND KEEP EMPLOYMENT.
BACKGROUND
Employment Services is a multi-phase service program for General Assistance recipients designed to assist
unemployed persons in preparing for, obtaining, and keeping unsubsidized employment. Additionally, failure to
cooperate or comply with the requirements of Employment Services results in discontinuance of aid and the
application of a period of ineligibility.
Thirty-six percent of our employable recipients -- 24% of the total General Assistance caseload -- are
between the ages of 18 and 24. These young adults often have no work skills,but beyond that, many lack daily living
skills. In general, they have poor self-esteem which,combined with their lack of skills, makes the goal of obtaining
and maintaining employment seem out of reach. We do not envision GA as providing long-term assistance to these
clients while they pursue training programs. The program will provide some assistance in terms of job skills and life
skills training in order to reduce the numbers of recipients who, after obtaining employment, return to GA because
they do not know how to be productive and live a life that does not include welfare.
The Board of Supervisors has authorized increased staffing for the Employment Services program. Under
a six-month pilot project we will have a total of 2 Job Developers, 5 Social WorkersNocational Counselors, 5 Job
Placement Specialists and 6 Program Assistants for the purpose of obtaining maximum participation of all
employable recipients in each component of the service program.
COMPONENTS OF THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM
♦ Assessment of employability and issuance of first workfare assignment. The assessment process
consists of two parts: testing and an individual interview. The interviewer uses the test results and
the individual's employment history to assist with determining the appropriate assignments for the
person. Upon completion of assessment, employable recipients will be immediately assigned to their
first workfare assignments. Young adults will be,assigned to specific work crews. Recipients also may
be given other special assignments, such as referrals for substance abuse counseling or to adult
literacy programs.
♦ Continuing workfare participation, which provides work experience and the development of work
habits. Young adult work crews will be established for projects operated by the General Services
Administration. There also continue to be a variety of other workfare assignments with various
county departments, as well as other public and private non-profit agencies. Participants are
instructed in the use of task-related materials, tools, and techniques by the operating agency, and
perform various work assignments which otherwise would not be done. Clients are assigned to the
workfare slot most appropriate for their experience and skill level.
♦ Monthly job club meetings which serve as peer support groups and include job search direction, and
continuing life skills training. The Job Club meetings will be attended by employers/recruiters.
Specific job search assignments will be given.
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♦ Training. Clients identified as appropriate for training will be assisted with referrals; attendance and
participation will be monitored.Some additional training programs may be established in cooperation
with General Services Administration: recycling, gardening, etc. Recipients who are enrolled in
training must also attend the monthly job club meeting, and some may continue to have a monthly
3vorkfare assignment, depending on the hours of the training program.
♦ Job Search Workshop. This is an intensive seven day curriculum for those recipients considered to
be most "job ready," who are in need of assistance with job applications, interviewing, etc. Job
referrals are provided..
♦ Self-improvement workshop. The goal of this class is to increase self-esteem and help young adults
learn how to present themselves so that they make a good impression and are comfortable in work
situations.
♦ Job development. Two Job Developers will contact employers to identify potential jobs for recipients.
Information regarding the jobs and their qualifications will be provided to the vocational counselors,
who will refer individual clients who meet the qualifications to apply for those jobs.
WORK INCENTIVES
To meet the goal of self-sufficiency through employment, we wish to be able to assist more recipients to
maintain the jobs we help them to obtain. We are proposing the adoption of two work incentive components: an
income disregard policy and a Grant Diversion program.
Controlling Principles:
♦ Work incentives should be set at a,level sufficient to encourage recipients to find employment.
The work experience will promote self-esteem and dignity, which are necessary for eventual self-
sufficiency.
♦ Work incentives should encourage recipients to retain employment.
♦ Work incentives should encourage people to find work that provides sufficient income and
upward mobility to ensure eventual self-sufficiency.
Assumptions:
♦ Under existing policy, it is estimated that 80% of those recipients who obtain employment and
who are discontinued from GA, lose those jobs and return to GA within 12 months.
♦ In designing work incentives for GA recipients it is necessary to keep in mind differing
educational, skill, and motivational levels.
♦ Supportive services provide a final work incentive to get the job, keep the job, and leave GA
dependency, and are an integral part of any incentive proposal.
2 .
Pros:
♦ In the long run, recipients are able to find employment with sufficient pay or upward mobility
pptions. (e.g. employment begins as part-time, and can be expected to result in full-time
employment at the end of the three month period.)
♦ Meets the principle of providing an incentive to find employment by helping to cover the up
front costs of a new job, e.g. clothing, transportation, mandatory deductions, etc.
Cons:
♦ Aid payment costs will increase at least in the short-term.
♦ Additional administrative complexity.
INCOME DISREGARD
Proposal:
Establish a pilot program under Government Code §26227, to provide assistance for a period not
to exceed three months, whereby a portion of monthly gross earnings would be disregarded in
determining eligibility and benefit levels as follows:
Amount of earnings disregard
First $100 100%
Second $100 2/3
Third $100 1/2
Fourth $100 1/3
Fifth $100 1/5
Sixth $100 and above -0-
Example: Client obtains job working 20 hours per week at $4.50 per hour. Gross = $90/week x 4.3 weeks
_ $387
First $100 - 100
Second $100 - 67
Third $100 - 50
Fourth $100 - 33
(or portion thereof)
non-exempt $137 income applied against grant
Fiscal impact:
Assumptions:
♦ Under the proposed policy, it is estimated that 200 recipients who obtain part-time
employment will be eligible for the income disregard.
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♦ These recipients will be eligible for monthly grants averaging $100 per month for
a period of three months. At the end of three months, GA will be discontinued.
♦ Sixty percent of these recipients will maintain the employment, and will not return to GA
within the next twelve months.
♦ Forty percent (80 persons] will lose their jobs and will return to GA within twelve
months.
GRANT DIVERSION
Proposal:
Establish a pilot program under Government Code §26227 to provide assistance for a
period not to exceed three months, whereby an amount equal to the General Assistance
grant is diverted to an employer.
The program will be patterned after one which has been operating successfully in San
Diego County.
Under GA Grant Diversion, the General Assistance grant payment is utilized as a wage
subsidy paid to private -- both profit and non-profit -- sector employers who are willing to
hire GA recipients. Grant Diversion, acting as an incentive payment to employers , will
provide work experience to GA employable persons resulting in unsubsidized
employment. In effect, during GA Grant Diversion, the welfare check is converted into a
paycheck.
GA Grant Diversion participants will be placed into employment with private sector
employers paying the minimum wage or more. The recipient must be employed at least
80 hours per month. The recipient will receive regular paychecks and-any other benefits
provided by the employer as a member of the employer's work force.
Employers must have Worker's Compensation. The employer is advised of Targeted`Jobs
Tax Credit and other incentives.
The recipient's monthly GA grant will be used as a wage subsidy or incentive payment to
be issued to the employer for each of the first three monthly employment periods
completed. The employer must agree to retain the recipient as an employee once the
Grant Diversion subsidy period ends, unless a valid reason for termination exists.
For the duration of the Grant Diversion contract, the recipient will continue to receive
the services of the Employment Services staff.
Once a grant diversion job placement has taken place, participation is mandatory. Failure
or refusal to cooperate with Grant Diversion program requirements, without good cause,
will result in discontinuance of General Assistance, and aperiod of ineligibility.
4
Fiscal impact:
Assumptions:
♦ The controlling factor for'Grant Diversion is locating employers willing to
participate in the program.
♦ Marketing will be done by the Employment Programs Job Developers as
they make contact with prospective employers. (Informational flyers will be
used.)
♦ Recipients will be advised that prospective employers contacted through
the recipient's own job search efforts may be referred to the Job
Developer for.information regarding Grant Diversion.
♦ Under the proposed policy, it is estimated that 100 recipients.who obtain part-
time or full-time employment will participate in the grant diversion program.
♦ The monthly grant amount will be diverted to the employer for three months. At
the end of three months, the subsidy will be terminated, and .GA will be
discontinued.
♦ Sixty percent of these recipients will maintain the employment, and will not return
to GA within the next twelve months.
♦ Twenty percent of the recipients assigned to the program will fail to cooperate,
and will be discontinued;,a one-month period of ineligibility will be applied.
5
INCOME DISREGARD EXAMPLES
L CURR4NT PROGRAM/NO EMPLOYMENT
Client A has no income, and receives the maximum grant for one person living alone, $342, for
the entire calendar year.
VCONTH G12ANT; EARNZNCxS TOTAL
INCaIViE T.
CLIENT
JANUARY $342 70- $342
FEBRUARY $342 -0- $342
MARCH $342 -0- $342
APRIL $342 -0- $342
MAY $342 -0- $342
JUNE $342 -0- $342
JULY $342 -0- $342
AUGUST $342 -0 $342
SEPTEMBER $342 -0- $342
. 00TOBER $342 -0- $342
NOVEMBER $342 -0- $342
DECEMBER $342 -0- $342
TOTAL $4;104 0 ;` $41Q4.
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2. CURRENT PROGRAM/EMPLOYMENT
Client B's standard of aid is $342, for one person living in unshared housing. On March 20th he
gets a job at Target, working 20 hours per week at.$4.35 an hour. He will receive his first
paycheck on 3/30. Under existing poli his projected earnings of$374/month make him
ineligible for GA, and he is discontinued effective 3/31.
Mr. B is fired on April 20, receives his last paycheck on 4/30, and reapplies for GA, which is
restored May 1st.
On 8/27, Mr. B gets a job at McDonalds working 24 hours per week, at $4.50 per hour.. He will
receive his first paycheck on 9/8. His GA is discontinued effective 9/30. On 9/9 he is fired, and
reapplies for GA. The discontinuance is rescinded, and a September overpayment due to
earnings is computed.
MONTH; GRANT EARNINGB TO'I'AI
INCfJM TC):><
:L IiENT.:.:..
JANUARY $342 -0- $342
FEBRUARY $342 -0- $342
MARCH $342 $87 (1) $429
APRIL -0- $261 (2) $261
MAY $342 -0- $342
JUNE $342 -0- $342
JULY $342 -0- $342
AUGUST $342 -0- $342
SEPTEMBER $342 $180 (3) $522
OCTOBER $342 -0- $342
NOVEMBER $342 -0- $342
DECEMBER $342 =0- $342
TQTAL $3762 $528 $4290:
(1) 1 week's work
(2) 3 week's work
(3) 2 week's work
3. PROPOSED DISREGARD POLICY
(Same circumstances as example #2)
Client B's standard of aid is $342, for one person living in unshared housing. On March 20th he
gets a job at Target, working 20 hours per week at $4.35 an hour. He will receive his first
paycheck on 3/30. The income disregard will be applied for a maximum of three months -- April,
May & June.
Mr. B is fired on April 20, receives his last paycheck on 4/30.
On 8/27, Mr. B gets a job at McDonalds working 24 hours per week at $4.50 per hour. He will
receive his first paycheck on 9/8. He is eligible for the disregard for three months, September,
October & November. On 9/9 he is fired.
MONTH GRANT EARNINGS... TOTAL,
TNCQME TlJ .
CLIENT.. ..
.... .................. ... ... . ... . ... ..... .........
JANUARY $342 -0- $342
FEBRUARY $342 -0- $342
MARCH $342 $87 (1) $429
APRIL $262 $261 (2) $523
MAY $342 -0- $342
JUNE $342 -0- $342
JULY $342 -0- $342
AUGUST $342 -0- $342
SEPTEMBER $302 $180 (3) $482' .
OCTOBER $342 -0- $342
NOVEMBER $342 -0- $342
DECEMBER $342 -0- $342
TOTAL $4326 $528
(1) 1 week's work -- disregard = $87
(2) 3 week's work -- disregard = $181
(3) 2 week's work.-- disregard = $140
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4. PROPOSED DISREGARD
Client D receives $342, the maximum grant for one person living alone. On February 25th he
gets a job at Kentucky Fried Chicken, earning $4.35 per hour, working 20 hours per week. His
gross earnings are estimated at $374 per month. The income disregard will be applied for three
months -- March, April and May. His GA grant is discontinued effective May 31. By June, Mr.
D's employer has increased his hours to 32 per week. His monthly gross income is $600. He
remains employed and does not return to GA during the year.
MONTH GRANT E A2NTNG5 TOTAT
- CLTENT
JANUARY $342 -0- $342
FEBRUARY $342 -0- $342
MARCH $104 $374 (1) $478
APRIL $104 $374 (1) $478
MAY $104 $374 (1) $478
JUNE -0- $600 $600
JULY -0- $600 $600
AUGUST -0- $600 $600
SEPTEMBER -0- $600 $600
OCTOBER -0- $600 $600
NOVEMBER -0- $600 $600
DECEMBER -0 $600 $600
TOTAL $996 $5322 $6318
(1) 4 week's work -- disregard = $270
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5. PROPOSED'DISREGARD
Client E lives in shared housing with 2 other people. His GA grant,is $192. On April 28th he
gets a job at Taco Bell earning$4.35 per hour,'working 20 hours per week. He receives the
income disregard for May, June and July. In July, his hours are increased to full time. He does
not return to GA within the year.
MONTH' GRANT EARNINGS TOTAL
NCO1viE T
CI TENT
JANUARY $192 -0- $192
FEBRUARY $192 ' -0- $192
MARCH $192 -0- $192
APRIL $192 -0- $192
MAY $88 $374 (1) $462
JUNE $88 $374 (1) $462
JULY $88 $374 (1) $462,
AUGUST -0 $752 $752'
SEPTEMBER -0- $752 $752-
OCTOBER -0- $752 $752;
NOVEMBER -0- $752 $752
DECEMBER -0- $752 $752
TOTAL '! $1032 $4882 $5914
(1) 4 week's work -- disregard = $270
10
2. 2
2..3
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this. Order on October 22, 1991' , by the following vote:
AXES: Supervisors Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson, Powers
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
--------------------
SUBJECT: General Assistance Standards and Programs
In its consideration of proposed amendments to standards for
administration of the General Assistance Program and two work
incentive programs for General Assistance recipients, the Board heard
comments from the following persons:
Philip Bertenthal,. Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation,
P. O. Box 2289, Richmond; and
Lawrence Gault, 417 E. Santa Fe, Pittsburg, 94565.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board adopted
Resolutions 91/710 and 91/711 to implement the amendments and work
incentive programs as referenced above.
On recommendation of. Supervisor McPeak, IT IS BY THE BOARD
ORDERED that County Counsel and the Social Service Director are
REQUESTED to review a proposal for an operational definition on
the word eviction.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED:
PHIL BATCHELOR,Ciork of the Board /
Cc: County Counsel, of Supervisors and County Administrator
Director, Social Service ev
County Administrator- ,Deputy