Update : CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) Family Services Program

Transcription

1 Santa Clara County Social Services Agency page 1 Date: 12/12/14 References: ACLs 14-12, and CR 6696 Cross-References: CWES Updates and 14-17, CalWORKs Update 14-13, Agency Memo 14-09, and CP Update Clerical: Handbook Revision: No Yes Family Services Program Background Since the implementation of the Welfare-to-Work (WTW) program, Santa Clara County Social Services Agency (SSA) has been providing a wealth of services that are designed to stabilize and assist families with WTW participation. These services include social work, domestic abuse, mental health and substance abuse counseling. On January 2014, Assembly Bill (AB) 74 enacted a new component of the WTW program called Family Stabilization. In February 2014, SSA incorporated this new component by providing Family Stabilization Housing Assistance. And beginning July 2014, At-Risk Youth Services was added to the menu of available services. On September 2014, Senate Bill (SB) 855 authorized additional funding to selected counties for a CalWORKs Housing Support Program (CHSP) designed to assist eligible CalWORKs families. Santa Clara is one of the selected counties and will utilize this program to augment existing housing services. Policy Effective October 2014, a new Family Services (FS) Unit that encompasses the wealth of services provided, including housing programs, has been implemented. This unit provides a multidisciplinary approach to WTW services that includes intensive case management strategies designed to ensure a basic level of stability within a family. The following applies to Family Services (FS): Participation is voluntary. Requires the development of a Family Service Plan (SCD 2392).

2 page 2 May be provided at any point in the WTW flow process as long as the family contains an eligible adult with time remaining on his or her WTW 24-Month Time Clock. Participation is not subject to the WTW minimum weekly hourly requirement as long as the client is complying with the FS plan. Appropriate support services are provided. Frequent and on-going contact ranging from daily to weekly, depending on client s situation. Stops the WTW 24-Month Time Clock for up to 6 cumulative months, if meets an existing Good Cause Criteria. The clock can be stopped by selecting WTW Good Cause status in the Maintain Activity Status window in CalWIN. Maximum length of the plan is six months as a stand-alone plan or an integrated plan. Extensions will be considered on a case by case basis; however, under a FS Plan, the WTW 24-Month Time Clock can be stopped for 6 cumulative months. Failure to comply and complete plan results in termination of services; however, the termination is not subject to the non-compliance process. Instead, the participant is transitioned to a WTW Plan. A new CWES Handbook Chapter, Family Services Program has been added to the handbook. [Refer to Family Services Program, page 11-1for additional information/referral process.] Family Services Team The Family Services (FS) Unit is comprised of the following team members: Employment Counselors Social Workers Domestic Violence Advocate CalWORKs Health Alliance CWES Supervisor FS Support Staff

3 page 3 FS Plan Descriptions To track participants in a FS Plan and participants who transition from a FS Plan to a WTW Plan, the following plan descriptions are to be entered by the FS EC Specialist in the Maintain Employment Plan window, [Plan] tab: FSONLYPLAN-# Use when participant signs a FS stand-alone plan (SCD 2392). FSINTGPLAN-# Use when participant signs a FS integrated plan (WTW 2 and SCD 2392). WTWPLAN-CMPLTDFS-# Use when participant signs a WTW plan (WTW 2) after completion of the FS Plan (FSONLYPLAN-# or FSINTGPLAN-#). WTWPLAN-FAILEDFS-# Use when participant signs a WTW plan (WTW 2) after failing to complete the FS Plan (FSONLYPLAN-# or FSINTGPLAN-#). One-time only housing payments without ongoing Family Services do not require a FS Plan in CalWIN. Housing Assistance Programs In addition to other services that are designed to assist families with WTW participation, SSA has been providing and augmenting housing related services as follows: Since February 2014, Family Stabilization Housing Assistance was implemented to assist CWES clients who received an eviction notice, are homeless or behind on rent. The assistance is to cover housing costs associated with first and last month rent, and security deposit. In the month of June 2014, a one-time housing subsidy was mailed to WTW clients, including WTW Sanctioned individuals, to assist with the rising costs of housing. Beginning in November 2014, additional housing funding through Senate Bill (SB) 855 is available through a CalWORKs Housing Support Program (CHSP). The first housing program option to be explored by the FS EC Specialist is the CHSP, if the client meets the criteria. Financial Literacy Workshop Financial Literacy Workshops/Workbooks are designed to assist families with financial housing budgeting. Completion of the workshop/workbook applies as follows:

4 page 4 Family Stabilization Housing Prior to receiving a Family Stabilization Housing Assistance payment, completion of a Financial Literacy Workshop/Workbook is required. Effective immediately, referrals to the workshop are done by the FS EC Specialist through the CalWIN Client Referral Subsystem, instead of using the Activity Referral Form, (SCD 1723). Metro Senter Rd (Provider ID 3042), has been added as a CalWIN Client Referral Subsystem provider for tracking referral outcomes for Financial Literacy Workshop, FS Stblztn-Financial Workshop, referral [Need]. Referral/ Outcome When adding the subsequent housing services referral in the Client Referral Subsystem, the FS EC Specialist uses one or more of the following housing services referral [Need] types based on client s housing situation: Family Stablztn Rental Assist (Family Stabilization Rental Assistance) for payment of 1st and/or last month rent required to secure housing. Family Stablztn Security Dep (Family Stabilization Security Deposit) for payment of security/deposit required to secure housing. Family Stablztn Utility Paymnts (Family Stabilization Utility Payments) for payment of utility costs needed to retain/obtain housing. Family Stablztn Moving Costs (Family Stabilization Moving Cost Assistance) for payment of moving costs associated with securing new housing. FS Stablztn Hotel Assist (Family Stabilization Hotel Assistance) for payment of emergency lodging/hotel costs. Family Stablztn Other (Family Stabilization Other) for other assistance related to homeless support/services. Authorization/ Payments Authorizations and payments are done by the FS EC Specialist via Warrant or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). In most instances, the payment is issued via EBT when the participant is the payee, unless client chooses to receive warrant. A warrant must be issued when the participant is NOT the payee, or participant chooses to a receive a warrant. One or more of the following Family Stabilization housing ancillary payment subtypes is used:

5 page 5 FS Stablztn Rental Assist FS Stablztn Security Dep FS Stablztn Utility Paymnt FS Stablztn Moving Costs FS Stablztn Hotel Assist FS Stablztn Other When issuing via EBT, select Batch mode. After issuing the payment, the referral [Outcome] tab for the [Need] is to be updated to Approved. The ancillary payment subtypes of FS Stablztn Homeless and FS Stablztn Eviction are obsolete. CalWORKs Housing Support The Financial Literacy Workshop/Workbook is available for the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (CHSP). Referrals for the workshop are done by the FS EC Specialist through the CalWIN Client Referral Subsystem for tracking outcomes for CHSP-Financial Workshop referral [Need]. Authorization/ Payments Although authorizations and payments are done by Abode Housing Services outside of CalWIN, the Client Referral Subsystem is used for tracking the referral outcome. Referral/ Outcome The FS EC Specialist will use the Client Referral Subsystem to refer client to Abode Housing Services, and to track referrals and outcomes as follows: Selects, Abode Housing Services (Provider ID ) as the Referral provider with CWES Senter Road as Office Location. Selects one of the following Referral [Needs], based on client s residence at the time of application: CHSP-Shelter CHSP-Non-Shelter CHSP-Ordered by Court When is notified by Abode Housing Services of type of approval, selects one of the following corresponding approval [Outcome] types:

6 page 6 Rental Subsidy Moving Costs Security Deposits Credit Repair Legal Services Household Items Employment/Education Travel & Trans Vouchers Insurance Motel Voucher Utilities Financial Workshop Housing Search and Placement Home Habitable Costs Other Financial Assistance When FS EC Specialist is notified by Abode Housing Services of type of denial, selects one of the following corresponding denial [Outcome] types: Denied-Not on CW Denied-Ineligible Residence Denied-No HSP Funding Denied-Ineligible Denied-Other (Withdrawal/Cancellations) Discontinuances When notified by Abode Housing Services that services are discontinued, the FS EC Specialist selects from the drop-down menu the following CalWIN case comment types to track the discontinuance reason: CHSP-Housing Stabilized CHSP-Discontinued from CalWORKs (CW) CHP-Non-Compliant CHSP-Inelig per County (Cnty) Requirements CHSP-Out of County CHSP-Other Family Services Correspondence The following brochure, forms and notices are used for the Family Services Program as follows: SCD 2390 The Family Services Program (SCD 2390) brochure is provided to WTW participants during Orientation as part of the Orientation packet. The brochure may also be provided at any point during the WTW participant flow process.

7 page 7 SCD 2391 The Family Services Request (SCD 2391) is a substitute for the State Family Stabilization Program Evaluation Request, (FSP 1) form. The SCD 2391 is provided by CWES, Benefits and Community Partners and completed by clients to request FS services. Clients are to complete the SCD2391 and submit to their assigned EC. SCD 2392 The Family Service Plan (SCD 2392) describes the services that are provided to the client. It contains timelines for achieving goals and is completed as follows: When client agrees on an integrated FS Plan, a WTW 2 is also completed. When client agrees on a FS stand-alone plan, only the SCD 2392 is completed. FSP 2 The Family Stabilization Program Denial (FSP 2) is a new state Notice of Action (NOA) that is used to notify clients of the reason for denial of FS services. FSP 3 The Family Stabilization Program Change in Program Status (FSP 3) is a new state NOA that is used to notify clients that they are being removed from the FS program due to not having a good reason for not complying with the FS Plan. The NOA includes an appointment section to schedule client to sign a WTW Plan. NA 823 The Notice of Action - Ancillary Expenses Approval/Denial (NA 823) is used when approving or denying Family Stabilization Housing Assistance. This form is also used per existing ancillary procedures when approving/denying ancillary. SCD 2361 The Family Services Housing Assistance Program Application Cover Sheet (SCD 2361) is revised and provides instructions for completing the SCD SCD 2360 The Family Services Housing Assistance Program Application (SCD 2360) is revised and is used to request Family Stabilization housing assistance and CalWORKs Housing Support (CHSP). The SCD 2360 is provided by CWES, Community Partners and completed by clients to request FS Housing services. Clients are to complete the SCD 2360 and submit to their assigned EC.

8 page 8 SCD 2359 The Family Services Housing Stability Plan (SCD 2359) is revised and is used by the FS EC Specialist to assist client develop a housing stability plan prior to authorizing housing payment. SCD 29 The CalWORKs Referral Results (SCD 29) is revised and is also used to incorporate into the FS Plan other FS services, such as Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Social Work Services (for DV continue using the CalWORKs Domestic Abuse Service Plan - SCD 1555). SCD 1555 The CalWORKs Domestic Abuse Service Plan - (SCD 1555) includes steps/timelines for service provider s activities, which are incorporated into the FS Plan. This form is also used per existing DV procedures. SCD 1554 The CalWORKs Domestic Abuse Participation Status (SCD 1554) includes exemption/waiver information, which is incorporated into the FS Plan. This form is also used per existing DV procedures. SCD 2393 The CalWORKs Housing Support Program (CHSP) Community Partner Referral form (SCD 2393) is a new form used by CalWORKs Community Partners and Employment Support Initiative (ESI) to refer eligible CalWORKs individuals to the CHSP. Obsolete Form With this update, the Family Stabilization Service Plan (SCD 2366) is obsolete. Case Comments The following case comments have been added to the Maintain Case Comments window in CalWIN and are used as follows: For tracking case movements and general FS comments: Assign Fam Stablztn EC Speclst Used by designated FS Support to document housing referral assignments to FS EC Specialist. Family Services Case Update Used by FS EC Specialist and assigned EC to document FS related case updates and action plans. Handbook Chapters The following CWES Handbook Chapters are revised with this update: Chapter 4 - Orientation & Appraisal Chapter 28 - Ancillary

9 page 9 Chapter 30 - Domestic Violence Chapter 34 - Documentation Chapter 41 - Health Alliance The Handbook Table of Contents is updated with this update. The following Common Place Handbook Chapters are revised with this update: Chapter 19 - IDM Chapter 23 - Forms Available in Shelf Stock Implementation These changes are effective immediately. Training Training will be provided. Supervisors Supervisors must review the information contained in this update by December 26, Denise Boland, Director Department of Employment and Benefit Services Contact Person: Jesus Manzanero, Application & Decision Support Specialist II, (408)

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