Although the Family Reunification (FR) regulations were effective in April, the notice is just going out now, the state having given up on writing Q & A’s to clarify the new policy for now. Counties must provide welfare-to-work (“WTW”) activities and supportive services to the parents of children in out-of-home care, via Child Welfare Services, if necessary for family reunification (“FR”). Of note:

• 18- or 24-month time limit does not apply to FR services.

• Sanctioned adults can still get FR WTW services.

• A CalWORKs assessment and WTW plan are required for any WTW activities and services separate and beyond those specified in the FR plan.

• CalWORKs WTW sanction provisions don’t apply to reunification parents if they are soley in an FR (vs. a WTW) plan.

• Time during which a sanctioned individual is a reunification parent counts toward meeting the CalWORKs minimum sanction period. [Download]