Sick leave for CalWORKs Subsidized Employment program

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The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions for sick leave in the CalWORKs Subsidized Employment program. AB 1522 requires, after July 1, 2015, that an employee who works more than 30 days within a year from the beginning of employment is entitled to accrued sick leave of no less than 1 hour for every 30 hours worked. An employee is entitled to use accrued sick leave starting the 90th day after the beginning of employment.

For purposes of accrued sick leave, the employer is entity paying wages and taxes for the Subsidized Employment participant.  Subsidized Employment participants are not exempt from sick leave unless they are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.   Counties should ensure that employers of Subsidized Employment participants are complying with sick leave requirements and the appropriate amount of sick leave has accrued since July 1, 2015.  ACL 16-17 (March 4, 2016).

Resource Family Approval program

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The California Department of Social Services has issued information about the Resource Family Approval (RFA) program. RFA is a new foster caregiver process that is a one-time approval with the same assessment, information and training for all foster caregivers. The assessment includes home environment, background checks, psychosocial assessment and training.

Placements can be made prior to approval in emergencies if the home passes inspection, the foster caregiver passes a criminal records check, and the foster caregiver initiates the RFA process within five days. Placements can also be made prior to approval if there is a compelling reason based on the best interest and needs of the child, the foster caregiver has already completed the home assessment, and post-placement the foster caregiver completes the psychosocial assessment and training within 90 days. Foster care benefits cannot begin until the RFA approval process is completed.

Five counties have already implemented the RFA. Nine counties will implement the program between January and June, 2016. All counties must implement RFA on January 1, 2017. ACL 16-10 (February 17, 2016).

Clarifying the definition of Medi-Cal carved-out drugs

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DHCS has clarified to managed care plan how it defines carved-out versus capitated drugs once any particular drug is FDA-approved.  In general, any new combination of drugs that includes a carved-out drug may be considered a carved-out drug.  This includes new strengths, formulations, and delivery systems.  DHCS maintains a list of carved-out and capitated drugs in the Medi-Cal Providers Manual.  APL 16-004 (2/19/16).