ACWDL 09-10: Implementation of AB 1512; clarification and instructions for disenrollment of children in foster care from the COHS and Medi-Cal change of address procedures for children in foster care and adoption assistance programs (3/5/09)

AB 1512 requires that foster care children that have moved to a new county be disenrolled from the County Organized Health System (COHS) in the previous county within two working days of a request from certain entities. Foster care kids and kids in the adoption assistance program are not required to be in managed care in most counties, in COHS counties they do have to be in the COHS. In the past when FC and AAP kids moved out a COHS county they either were unable to disenroll right away or were disenrolled only to be automatically reenrolled at the beginning of the next month. This new letter lays out a process that implements AB 1512 and is designed to correct the past disenrollment problems. Counties will immediately enter in the county system the child’s new residence address and where necessary the residence county code and counties will contact the Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman’s office to disenroll the child. When the ombudsman’s office is contacted not by the county but by an authorized medical decision maker the ombudsman’s office will disenroll the child and instruct the decision maker to contact the FC or AAP worker in the county of responsibility to ensure that the new residence address is updates in the county system. The letter also contains information regarding access to mental health services and instructions for when a Foster Child moves out of state. [Download]

ACL 09-15: Implementation Of AB 1512; Clarification re: Disenrollment Of Children In Foster Care From the County Organized Health System And Medi-Cal Change Of Address Procedures For Children In Foster Care/Adoption Assistance from Medi-Cal HMOs (3/5/09)

A reminder that the law now requires that foster care children who have moved to a new county of residence be disenrolled from the County Organized Health System (COHS) in the previous county of residence within two working days by the entity or person authorized to make medical decisions on behalf of the FC child. Includes “how to” instructions, including a reminder of the crucial need to immediately update the MEDS system of the new address. [Download]

ACL 09-07: TANF Work Verification Plan (3/5/09)

Effective 10/1/08, here’s the “how to verify WTW activities” letter. Reminder to counties that this is JUST for counting towards federal work participation, and does not alter CalWORKs rules (i.e. individual assessment used to develop assignment of activities). Of note: study time; excused absences; job search time calculation as hours not calendar weeks; BA’s and other advanced degrees are permissible voc ed. Finally, the letter describes permissible verification of hours of participation: The verifying party confirms the participant was enrolled in an allowable course of study during the period of time for which hours are being reported and that the hours of participation correspond to the days classes are scheduled.

Counties are reminded that homework time must be allowed in the County plan, but are encouraged to use language that is not overly narrow to ensure inherent flexibility to accommodate any regulatory changes to this provision in the future. [Download]