Just a friendly reminder to counties that they must keep track of “time on aid” for both CalWORKs and Tribal TANF. Although Native Americans can elect to be in either program, both programs are subject to the 60-months time on aid.  People can switch back and forth between the programs, but the County must obtain time on aid from the tribal TANF program, and send to the Tribal TANF program information about time on CalWORKs.  Counties must have MOU’s with the Tribal TANF programs, which include this procedure. [Download]

For the less welfare-nerdy (see ACL 07-05), a summary of the major changes to TANF in light of the federal Deficit Reduction Act and the federal Interim regulations, and California’s response to these changes. And yeah for our clients, this letter also clarifies that despite the changes that have been made to the TANF program at the federal level, the structure of CalWORKs welfare-to-work has not changed.  CalWORKs continues to require counties to offer a broad range of employment and education activities, behavioral health services, and other activities necessary to help recipients achieve self-sufficiency. No point summarizing this. Anyone doing CalWORKs work needs to read and memorize this. Pop quiz tomorrow. [Download]

54 pages of instructions and definitions for counties to do data reporting for the feds. For Uber-welfare nerds who want a handy place for all the federal Welfare to Work defintions, rules on absences from assigned activities, documentation rules, and more. [Download]

Info about how Tribal TANF and CalWORKs interact, starting with “how do you start a tribal TANF program?” and going through caseload transfers, “opting out ” of tribal TANF, sanctions (tribal TANF is not required to have or continue CalWORKs sanctions), Welfare to work services, and more.  [Download]

The 2nd of two ACL’s describing the end of durational sanctions.  This one instructs the counties to follow the instructions for a first sanction that were set out in the original sanction ACL. Recipients can “cure” a sanction whenever they contact the county; the county has 10 days from this contact to develop and get the recipient to sign a “cure” plan. The plan length cannot exceed the original “failure” activity, or 30 days for on-going activities. The sanction ends if the county cannot provide support services. Food Stamps sanctions, which remain 3, 6 and 12 months, end as soon as the CalWORKs sanction is fixed. Includes revised notices and request to cure form. [Download]

Apprenticeships can lead to high paying jobs, but have been underutilized by the CalWORKs welfare to work program. This ACIN explains the value of apprenticeships and provides information on how to access them. [Download]