Information about the federal Adoption Incentive Program (AIP), of $1,454,711. The AIP payment is required to be reinvested into the child welfare system, directed to counties that reported increased legal permanency outcomes for foster youth in FFY 2008. The incentive payments are to fund activities to improve legal permanency outcomes for foster youth ages nine or older. These activities include, but are not limited to: Post adoption services to avert adoption disruptions; Preparing youth for permanency by resolving barriers to adoption; Intensive family finding to locate relatives willing to make lifelong commitments to youth, including adoption and guardianship; Support to ensure successful permanency options for older foster youth; Recruitment of adoptive parents who are committed to keeping sibling groups together; Reunification with family members whose services were previously terminated. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACL 10-52: Release Of Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) Grievance Hearing Regulations (11/30/10)
Passing on the new CACI Grievance Hearing regulations required by the Gomez v. Saenz court ordered settlement agreement. The regulations were effective September 3, 2010. [Download]
ACIN I-79-03E: Correction To ACIN I-79-03 Food Stamp Q&As (12/2/10)
Clarification of ACIN I-79-03, regarding the question about “Eligibility Determination Drug/Alcohol Treatment Facilities.” The CWD should not deny the case because the AR did not initiate the application. However, the certification needs to be done through the AR prior to authorizing aid. The AR is not required to apply in person for the household. The AR may file an application in person, by fax or other electronic transmission, by mail or by completing an on-line application on behalf of the household. (MPP section 63-300.3) [Download]
ACIN I-100-10: CalWORKs Program: Implementation Of Homeless Assistance Program Regulations (12/3/10)
More final regs… This ACIN transmits final regulations amending the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) Program to implement AB 335, to include a DV exception to the “once in a lifetime” limit on HA. The new rules were initially implemented through ACL 08-42; the final regulations became effective on September 25, 2010. The new rules permit recipients to verify DV with a sworn statement, unless the CWD documents in writing an independent, reasonable basis to find the recipient not credible. The DV may be verified by a sworn statement for up to two periods of temporary HA payments and two payments of permanent HA. The CWD is required to immediately inform HA program recipients (based on DV), of the availability of DV counseling and services, and refer them to services upon request, and provides for an offer of a “homeless avoidance plan.” [Download]
ACIN I-101-10: CalWORKs: Final Regulations On Inter-County Transfer (ICT) Process (12/3/10)
Sending on the final regulations amending the face-to-face and verification requirements for non-needy caretaker relatives getting CalWORKs on behalf of a court dependent child (and who is not receiving federal Foster Care), who are in an Inter-County Transfer. The law was initially implemented through ACIN I-05-09, dated January 20, 2009. The final regs were effective September 25, 2010. The sending county must provide documentation to the receiving county verifying caretaker relative status and foster care placement authority. [Download]
ACL 10-13: Elimination Of The Eight-Month Time Limit For Afghan And Iraqi Special Immigrants (11/16/10)
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2010 , enacted on December 19, 2009, extends benefits for Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants (SI’s). These folks are now immediately and continuously eligible for SNAP benefits, and are treated as refugees, provided that other program eligibility requirements are met. They are no longer subject to the eight-month federal limit. The change in policy is effective immediately. SI recipients whose eight-month period expired and who were not eligible for or transitioned to CFAP must reapply, and their benefits are not retroactive. SI recipients who are currently in their eight-month certification period must be transitioned to federal CalFresh for their 12-month certification period; SI recipients who are receiving CFAP benefits must be transitioned to federal CalFresh; SI applicants or recipients who were denied, due to the expiration of their eligibility time period, on December 19, 2009 or thereafter should have their denials reconsidered to the extent they were otherwise eligible. [Download]