CDSS has issued new instructions about the Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC). These changes and all rules for the program are compiled in the ARC Implementation Guide. Prior All County Letters regarding the ARC program, except for ACL 15-54 about notices of action, are superseded by the ARC Implementation Guide.
CDSS highlights two changes to the ARC program. First, counties are to change from paying ARC benefits prospectively to calculating the days a child is actually placed and paying the caregiver in arrears. Counties are not required to take measures to mitigate financial hardship from this change but are “encouraged to do so if feasible.” Counties should make this change by June 30, 2017.
Second, ARC benefits will no longer be distributed using electronic benefits transfer.
The computer consortia must develop and submit plans to CDSS outlining the timeframe for making required programming changes. (ACL 16-92, December 23, 2016.)