Information on resources available to improve services to LGBTQ youth, their caregivers and LGBT prospective foster and adoptive parents. The letter also states that LBGT families must be recruited. The notice includes links to several policy and practice papers that support gay and lesbian parenting, and a reminder that AB 458 mandates that all state licensing and foster care providers get initial and ongoing training on anti-discrimination provisions. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Author: Jodie Berger
ACL 10-46: FY 2010-11 CalWORKs Child Care Program Budget Changes (10/18/10)
Information on this year’s budget impact on CalWORKs child care. The payment ceilings for license-exempt child care providers has been reduced, and the funding for the eliminated for Stage Three child care, effective on November 1, 2010. The letter indicates that counties must issue NOAs to the license exempt provider families for Stage 1 families, at least 10 days prior to 11/1/10.
Families that would otherwise have transitioned from Stage One to Stage Three directly, due to program barriers that prevented the transfer to Stage Two, shall continue to be provided through Stages One and/or Two if not more than 24 months have elapsed since the client left cash aid. CWDs are also strongly encouraged to refer families for placement on the central eligibility list once a family is stable and transferred to Stage Two. [Download]
ACL 10-45 ACL 10-45: New Federal Requirement Added To The 90-Day Transition Plan (10/14/10)
The feds now require informing youth aging out of foster care about heath care directives. This letter explains them, and attaches a modified transition plan and informing notice. [Download]
ACL 01-10: CalWORKs and Food Stamps Program Whereabouts Unknown and Client EBT Usage (1/29/10)
Guidance to CWDs on how to handle cases when the whereabouts of an AU/household is unknown, because of returned mail, etc. Of note, for CalWORKs, residence in the state, but not in the county, is a requirement for continued eligibility for aid, and so AUs may not be automatically discontinued for “whereabouts unknown.” The worker must attempt to contact the AU and give them an opportunity to clarify the discrepancies, send an incomplete QR 7 notice, and make a Balderas contact before terminating aid, as well as before any referral for a fraud investigation.
For Food Stamps, CWDs cannot terminate for “whereabouts unknown,” but only for loss of residency, based on “reliable information.” When residency is questioned because of EBT usage, workers must attempt to contact the recipient for clarification, prior to any fraud referral. The letter reviews why recipients may be using EBT cards outside their home county, and why this is permissible if it does not involve a change in residency. Use in another county/state cannot be a presumed change in residency. [Download]
ACL 10-44: Out-Of-State EBT Card Usage Reports (10/6/10)
Announcing a new “EBT out-of-state cash transaction report” (attached to the letter) “that will enable counties to prioritize their efforts on cases with a potentially higher likelihood of not residing in California.” The report identifies cases that have performed 100 percent of their EBT cash and food stamp transactions outside of California in a given month. Includes a reminder to follow the instructions specified in ACL 10-01 to determine whether the case remains eligible for aid, should be discontinued, and/or referred for fraud investigation. [Download]
ACL 10-43: End Of The TANF ECF Subsidized Employment Programs And Resumption Of AB 98 Provisions (10/1/10)
The TANF ECF program ended on September 30, 2010. The Feds have not approved an extension to TANF ECF or additional funding, so this letter explains how to the close out procedures. [Download]