This class action case involves access to mental health and support services for those in foster care or at risk of removal. LA county already settled, but there will be a hearing on the settlement with the state. The Order, Notice and Proposed settlement are attached to the letter. The hearing is 12/1/11 in Los Angeles. [Download]
This letter extends the sunset date for the Qualified Individual (QI) program to December 31, 2011. The QI program pays the Medicare Part B premium for those with income below 135 percent of the federal poverty level. [Download]
Another 12 months without taking group home rate applications. [Download]
Federal rules previously sanctioned the entire household, even if only one member of the household refused to cooperate with the QC review. New federal rules now apply the sanction for non-cooperation with the QC review to the individual. If it is determined that the entire household is “complicit” with the refusal to cooperate, the sanction shall be applied to the entire household.
The sanction period is also extended from 95 days to 125 days (state) and for refusal to cooperate with the federal QC reviewer from seven months to nine months after the end of the annual review period. These changes are effective beginning October 1, 2011. [Download]
A reminder and clarification about the program. The RMP is an optional county program that enables homeless, disabled, and/or elderly CalFresh individuals to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants. FNS has stated only those CalFresh recipients who are elderly and/or disabled, and their spouses, or homeless individuals, can get RMP – not the other household members. Counties need to file certain documents with the state, and among other things, the MOU must include that the restaurant provide low-cost or discount meals during regular hours to eligible homeless, elderly or disabled persons and that they advise participating restaurants of the penalties for illegal activities, and contain demographic information. [Download]
A description of what needs to be in a Kin-GAP case plan to meet federal requirements. [Download]