A reminder of the requirement that social workers are responsible for educating foster children in out-of-home care of their personal rights, at least once every six months. The information must be provided in an age and developmentally appropriate manner, and addresses the child’s questions and concerns in the child’s primary language. An interpreter must be provided if one is needed. To help workers meet this obligation, DSS posters and brochures, available for download at the FCO website. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACIN I-79-08: California State Ombudsman For Foster Care (11/12/08)
This Notice provides (belated) information about the increased duties of the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman (FCO). The FCO is an autonomous entity within the CDSS, whose purpose is to provide Foster Children (WIC 300 and 600) with a means to resolve issues related to their care, placement, or services.
Since 2006, complaints previously received by the CDSS Operations Bureau (OB) were re-directed to the FCO. The FCO Complaint and Inquiry Process is listed in this ACIN. [Download]
ACL 08-56: CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program – Questions And Answers (11/5/08)
All those burning questions answered. Examples include: When does an “incident of homelessness” end? anticipated income as countable for Total Monthly Income; eligibility when shelter is available at no cost; the impact of new household members mid-quarter, and more. [Download]
ACIN I-85-08: County Children’s Trust Fund Share Of Kids’ Plate Revenue (11/14/08)
Notice that the state is doing its own economic stimulus package: within the next 90 days it will distribute Kids’ Plate revenue (from the DMV sale kids license plates). The total revenue for SFY 2007-2008 is $1,264,000. Each county’s share is based on their proportion of the State’s children’s population age 0-18. The funds must be distributed as follows: • 50% to the Child Day Care Licensing Unit of the DSS Community Care Licensing Division; 25% to the DHS Childhood Injury Control Program within the California Department of Health Services; 22.5% to County Children’s Trust Funds; and 2.5% to the State’s Children’s Trust Fund. [Download]
ACIN I-62-08E: Correction to ACIN I-62-08 (11/14/08)
The fix-it to the ACIN on Confidential Tax Information Requirements, this notice rescinds use of the Attachment (letter to employers) because of concerns “about the wording.” (Like saying the person is suspected of fraud). The new ACIN just tells counties to use existing 3rd party verification systems if the recipient does not provide the verification. [Download]
ACIN I-67-08: Letter Of Intent re: Participation In The Transitional Housing Placement And/Or Housing Program-Plus; Transitional Housing County Coordinators Assignments (10/27/08)
Information for the counties on the process for new and continuing participation in the Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) and/or Transitional Housing. These programs provide housing and life skills in order to achieve self-sufficiency. The THPP is for foster youth, who are at least 16 and under 19 years old, to develop independent living and employment skills. THP-Plus serves individuals who are at least 18 and under 24 years old who have aged out of the foster care system. The letters are due 11/14/08! Also list the county coordinators. [Download]