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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
This letter corrects the date that affected beneficiaries will see the Part B premium deducted from their Social Security checks. Checks will be affected December, 2008, not November as stated in ACWDL 08-48. Counties are also reminded that they can suggest the 250% Working Disabled Program to beneficiaries as a program in which beneficiaries are not responsible for the Part B premium. DHCS sent a letter in October, 2008 alerting beneficiaries that they would have to begin paying the Part B premium; unfortunately they sent this letter to beneficiaries who are MSP eligible too. In November they will send a letter to the same group of people with more information about the Part B premium, MSPs, SOC, and the 250%WDP. Enclosed in this ACWDL is a copy of the letter SS will be sending to beneficiaries regarding the Part B premium. [Download]