Guaranteed Income pilot for nonminor dependents exiting foster care

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iFoster is operating a Guaranteed Income Pilot Project statewide.  Youth can be eligible for the iFoster Guaranteed Income pilot if they 1) are exiting extended foster care in California, and are California residents, except for youth exiting foster care in San Francisco, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Napa, San Mateo, and Alameda (because those counties operate their own guaranteed income projects for exiting foster youth); 2) are youth in foster care who are expected to exit foster care on their 21st birthday and who apply within 90 days prior to, or 30 days after, their 21st birthday, for the enrollment window specified above; 3) have income below a predetermined threshold; and 4) are not currently enrolled in another Guaranteed Income Pilot Project.

iFoster will give $750 per month for 18 months to 354 people who qualify for the program. Individuals will be selected for receipt of guaranteed income using random assignment or a lottery. Participants will be selected by random assignment or lottery on a regular basis over 12 months.  Youth exiting extended foster care in any county except Napa, San Mateo, and Alameda.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) encourages counties and probation departments to give information about iFoster to youth exiting foster care during their transition planning. iFoster will work with CDSS to verify a youth’s eligibility and help them complete the application.

Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2024.  Individuals who are not selected for the program may still be able to be compensated for participation in research activities. iFoster will provide resource navigation services including referral and application, and government benefits counseling and application support, to all youth referred by counties regardless of eligibility for or enrollment in iFoster’s guaranteed income pilot. (ACIN I-60-23, October 16, 2023, and ACIN I-60-23E, August 7, 2024.)

CalFresh Student Handbook Version 2.0

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has released its CalFresh Student Eligibility Handbook version 2.0.  The Handbook provides guidance regarding student eligibility for CalFresh, key definitions, student exemptions, student income, and verification procedures.

Version 2.0 updates sections about the Restaurant Meals Program, paid work exemption, Local Programs that Increase Employability, exception for community colleges offering baccalaureate degrees, student income eligibility for CalFresh, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and verification of exemptions.  (ACL 24-31, May 3, 2024.)

Increase in CalWORKs vehicle value limit

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The California Department of Social Services has informed counties that the vehicle value for the CalWORKs program increases to $32,968 effective July 1, 2024. This increase also applies to Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance, and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP). The vehicle value is the amount of the value of a vehicle that does not count toward the program resource limit.

The welfare department computer systems will be programmed for the increased vehicle value effective July 1, 2024. (ACL 24-36, May 31, 2024.)

Suspension and expulsion from subsidized child care programs

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The California Department of Social Service (CDSS) has issued a Child Care Bulletin (CCB) regarding the implementation of Assembly Bill (AB) 2806 which implements new rules limiting the expulsion and suspension of children in child care and development programs. AB 2806 mandates that the CDSS contracting agencies, in consultation with parents and guardians, must take certain measures before expelling or suspending children from services. The intent of the legislation is to significantly reduce the number of children expelled or suspended from programs. Additionally, the legislation provide special safeguards for children with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) or Individualized Family Support Plans (IFSP), ensuring their disabilities are appropriately addressed in cases of disciplinary action within educational settings. A child cannot be suspended for more than 10 days without re-convening with Local Education Agency parents and relevant members to consider special support services.

Effective January 21, 2023 child care contractors in programs like general child care and development CCTR (centers only), migrant child care and development programs excluding migrant alternative payment programs (CMIG), and childcare and development service for children with severe disabilities (CHAN), are mandated to comply with certain requirements before expelling a child. This does not apply to licensed family child care providers until a joint labor-management committee makes recommendations.

Programs cannot suspend a child due to behavior or urge parents to pick up their children prematurely. Suspension should only occur in exceptional circumstances where there is a safety threat that can otherwise be resolved. Before deciding on suspension programs must collaborate with parents or legal guardians to use resources to try and avoid suspension. If the suspension is still deemed necessary, programs must facilitate the child’s return to participation by engaging with parents, developing a plan, offering referrals to community services, and, if the child has an IFSP or IEP with written parental consent, contacting the agency responsible for seeking consultation.

Programs cannot expel a child due to behavior or encouraging parents to voluntarily enroll their child in programs due to behavior. Before expulsion, programs must take immediate action including consulting parents, mental health professionals, and teachers to ensure the child’s safety in the program. If the child has an IFSP or IEP and with written parental consent, the agency responsible should be contacted to seek consultation and if appropriate comprehensive screenings to address the child’s needs. If after all this a program determines that a child’s participation is a serious safety threat, it should assist the parents in finding other suitable enrollment.

Contractors must follow due process requirements when proposing disenrollment.

Beginning July 1, 2023, upon enrolling, programs are required to inform parents and legal guardians in writing about limitations on expulsion and suspension along with information on how to appeal both. In the event a child is suspended or expelled they must be issued a “Notice of Action, Recipient of Services,” as described in Section 18095 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. If a child is suspended guardians must be notified 24 hours in advance. Parents and guardians must appeal within 14 days of being notified of expulsion or suspension.

Future guidance for data collection will be provided for contractors but for now, they must maintain records on the number of times expulsion/suspension was initiated, the outcome, and how long a child was excluded. The data should include for each child, at a minimum, age, sex, race, ethnicity, foster status, home language, disability, and whether the child has an IFSP or IEP.  (CCB 23-24, September 6, 2023.)

 

CalWORKs MBSAC increase

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has informed counties that the CalWORKs Minimum Basic Standard of Care (MBSAC) will increase by 4.32% effective July 1, 2024. This is an annual cost of living increase. This will increase the MBSAC in Region 1 to $899 for a 1 one-person assistance unit, $1,476 for a two-person assistance unit, $1,829 for a 3 person assistance unit and increasing with increases in assistance unit size. The MBSAC for Region 2 will increase to $853 for a 1 one person assistance unit, $1,401 for a 2 person assistance unit, $1,736 for a 3 person assistance unit and increasing with increases in assistance unit size.

The MBSAC is the maximum income before deductions that a family can have to be eligible for CalWORKs.

The same increase will apply to the MBSAC for Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program. The same increase will apply to the CalWORKs Income in-kind level, which is the maximum amount of in kind income that is counted against the grant. (ACL 24-37, May 31, 2024.)

Changes to CalWORKs Home Visiting Program

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The California Department of Social Services has issued process changes regarding County Welfare Departments (CWD) and the CalWORKs Home Visiting Program (HVP). CalWORKs HVP is a voluntary program that supports the health, development, and education of parenting individuals and infants born into poverty. HVP participants must meet both of the following criteria:

  1. Either pregnant or the caretaker of a child less than 24 months of age at the time of program enrollment
  2. Either
    1. A member of a CalWORKs assistance unit; or
    2. The parent or caretaker relative for a child-only case; or
    3. Apparently eligible for CalWORKs aid

Following the 2024-2025 ACWDL letter, the process for continuing country participation in HVP programs has changed. CWD’s that opt to maintain CalWORKs HVP eligibility (while keeping the same evidence-based model) are no longer required to complete a county plan application on a annual basis. Bi-annual county plans are replaced by a directors certification. The CWD certification requires the following:

  1. Provide CWD primary contact information.
  2. Provide caseload projections.
  3. Confirm the evidence-based home visiting model for HVPs.
  4. List all home visiting partners and their primary contact information.
  5. Review mandatory criteria for implementing the program and any additional criteria.
  6. Agree to terms and assurances, including operating within relevant laws, regulations, program guidance, and the HVP county plan.

The process for new county participation in HVP has changed. CWDs must create a county plan and submit it to the CDSS. CWDs must work with home visiting partners to complete the application. This includes information about proposed and selected county partners and an explanation of how the partnership will provide the best services for CalWORKs recipients. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be submitted with the RFCP application. The MOU should list specific roles and responsibilities of the CWD and home visiting agencies, including data sharing, reporting, distribution, collection of consent forms, enrollment, outreach, and claiming of funds.

If CWDs choose to add or change the HVP plan on file with the California Department of Social Services, they must submit a new county plan. Changes to county HVP’s require CDSS approval prior to implementation.  (ACWDL, April 10, 2024.)