DPSS ePolicy

To convert existing policy to new writing style only – No concept changes

Linkages is the interdepartmental partnership between the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This partnership was formed to develop and provide enhanced service coordination and seamless service delivery for mutual or potentially mutual cases/families.

Through this partnership, two existing programs, Family Preservation (FP) and Family Reunification (FR), were enhanced and new protocols were added to improve collaboration between both departments. The central protocols are:

1. Family Preservation Service Coordination:  The FP Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Services Worker (GSW) attends Multi-Disciplinary Case Planning Committee (MCPC) meetings with the Family Preservation Agency (FPA) Worker and Children’s Social Worker (CSW) to incorporate appropriate activities in the participant’s Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Plan.
2. Family Reunification Services:  For former CalWORKs participants whose children were removed from the home, as identified by DCFS, the Linkages GSW (LGSW) initiates referrals to GAIN requesting FR services.
3. DCFS Referral Notice – DCFS 5122:  A screening tool for CSWs and LGSWs to screen families for potential CalWORKs or General Relief (GR), Medi-Cal, or CalFresh eligibility and make expedited referrals to the appropriate CalWORKs district office when economic need is a factor.
4. DCFS Collocation:  LGSWs are collocated at DCFS Offices to integrate GAIN and CalWORKs expertise into DCFS’ Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings (formerly Team Decision Making [TDM] meetings) and case consultations outside of the CFTs.

Linkages originated in 2003 as a statewide project sponsored by the Child & Family Policy Institute of California with the goal of effectively integrating CalWORKs and Child Welfare Services. This interdepartmental partnership was implemented first as a pilot in Los Angeles County in 2006 and completed countywide implementation by the end of 2009.

With the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 429 the State allows for participants who are no longer receiving a cash grant to begin/continue receiving WtW FR services for 180 days after all the children have been removed from the home and placed in out of home care. The Courts or DCFS may extend FR services beyond 180 days with Good Cause.
 

Term- Child and Family Team (CFT) Meeting

Description- Meetings convened by DCFS consisting of a group of individuals, identified by the family. The purpose is to identify the strengths and needs of the child or youth and his or her family and to help achieve positive outcomes for safety, permanency, and well-being through a variety of team based processes.

Term- Community Based Liaison (CBL)

Desciption- DCFS Supervising CSW who initiates the FP referral process via the DCFS automated system and acts as the FP liaison for their respective DCFS Office and the GAIN Linkages Liaison.

Term- DCFS Family Centered Services (FCS) System

Description- DCFS computer application used by the CBL, FPA, FP GAIN Services Supervisor (GSS), and FP GSW to review, monitor and update FP cases, and provide comments and results of MCPC meetings.

Term- FP Service Coordination

Description- The coordination of services for CalWORKs families where the WtW eligible participant has a FP case plan in place with DCFS. FP Service Coordination is available throughout the life of the DCFS FP case.

Term- FR Service Coordination

Description- WtW services available for eligible participants who have a DCFS FR case plan in place and who were CalWORKs eligible at the time DCFS removed all their children from the Assistance Unit (AU). Services are available for 180 days with the potential for a Good Cause extension of up to an additional six months as determined by DCFS, or the Courts.

Term- Intensive Case Management (ICM)

Description- An increased level and intensity of case management utilized for participants engaged in Linkages protocols. Specifically, FR/FP GSWs are to have more frequent contact with participants, CSWs and FPA. Examples of ICM may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ensure that the participant understands the program and services available;
• Develop a WtW Plan in coordination with DCFS to assist the participant in meeting Plan goals;
• Provide prompt referrals to appropriate and available services and issue Supportive Services (e.g. transportation, ancillaries, etc.) in a timely manner to assist the family with reunification and family stability;
• Assess regular progress toward WtW/DCFS Plan goals;
• Frequent and on-going contact with the participant, at least once per month, via telephone or in-person, with a follow-up email to the CSW, FPA, and service providers, to maintain service coordination and avoid duplication of services;
• Facilitate communication with Linkages Eligibility Workers (EW) when a special six-month manual redetermination is required for FR cases; 
• Provide WtW Program information and guidance to participants when they are reunified with their children; and
• Make every reasonable effort to engage participants who are not making adequate progress which may include recommending home visits.
  
  

Term- Linkages GAIN Services Worker (LGSW)

Description- A DPSS LGSW is collocated at each of the 17 DCFS Regional Offices. The LGSW functions as the CalWORKs/DPSS program expert who facilitates case coordination and assists in expediting services to families who are receiving DPSS benefits and those who may be potentially eligible.

Term- Multi-Disciplinary Case Planning Committee (MCPC) Meeting

Description- A planning committee meeting composed of the referred family, contractor (e.g., a DCFS FPA) staff, CSW, and the FP GSW when possible. The purpose is to develop a service plan to address the family’s needs, which may include other contracted (e.g., from DMH, Probation) services and/or linkage services.

Term- Six-Month Special CalWORKs Redetermination

Description- A special six-month CalWORKs manual redetermination (of the existing AU prior to the removal of the children) is requested by the FR GSW and must take place for the participant to continue receiving FR services. Services can be extended for an additional 180 days provided the parent remains otherwise eligible to CalWORKs, and DCFS has requested the need for the extension. Due to the limited amount of time available for FR services the EW will expedite this special manual redetermination. Confirmation from the EW to the FR GSW must be provided before the FR GSW can grant the six-month FR extension of WtW services.

Term- WtW Services

Description- May include employment and training related services, as well as Specialized Supportive Services (SSS) available to eligible participants that include:

• Domestic Violence (DV) Services;
• Mental Health (MH) Services;
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services; and
• Family Stabilization (FS).
   

Requirement- Who qualifies for FP Service Coordination?

Limit/Condition- Participants who have an open CalWORKs case, are eligible for WtW services, and who have a FP case plan with DCFS. FP Service Coordination includes: FP GSW participation at the MCPC meetings, case plan coordination in collaboration with the CSW, Transportation, Child Care, and ICM. FP Participants are subject to WtW Participation Requirements.

Requirement- Who qualifies for FR Services?

Limit/Condition- Participants who have a DCFS FR case plan in place, who were in CalWORKs at the time DCFS removed all their children from the home, volunteer to receive FR services, sign a WtW Plan, and make good progress toward their DCFS Plan, may qualify to receive WtW FR services. FR services are voluntary and include DV/MH/SUD Services, Transportation, and may include FR Housing Support and FR Moving Assistance as well as ICM by FR GSW. FR participants who apply for GR may opt to receive FR services through WtW, provided they meet program requirements.

Requirement- Who qualifies for a Potential Eligibility Referral Notice (DCFS 5122)?

Limit/Condition- Families, caretaker relatives, and individuals who are involved with DCFS, can receive a DCFS 5122 Referral from the CSW or the LGSW after they have been screened for potential eligibility to DPSS aid programs.

Requirement- Who utilizes the services of a Collocated LGSW?

Limit/Condition- CSWs have access to the expertise of a DPSS LGSW either formally or informally: Formally by completing an Information Request Form (IRF) to obtain specific DPSS case information, and informally by verbally asking for general DPSS information.

Form- ABCDM 228, Applicant’s Authorization for Release of Information

Description- Used by the applicant/participant/case payee/consumer to authorize the Department/agency to release specific case record information.

Form- GN 2016, Identification of a Participant with Family Preservation Program Needs

Description- Generated via the automated DCFS FCS by the CBL to notify the FPA and DPSS FP Liaison of a CalWORKs participant who is receiving FP services or is scheduled to start services. Also used to notify the FP GSW of subsequent MCPC meetings.

Form- GN 6007B, CalWORKs Supportive Services Enrollment Termination Notice

Description- Completed by the treatment service providers to notify the GSW whenever a CalWORKs participant is no longer receiving treatment services at their agency, such as dropped-out, change of provider, or completed.

Form- GN 6008, Mental Health, Substance Abuse/ Domestic Violence/ Family Preservation Program Service Provider Progress Report

Description- Completed by the treatment service provider to notify the GSW of the participant’s progress, completion, termination, and/or any other significant changes. This form is automatically generated by CalSAWS every 90 days and mailed to the CalWORKs-contracted treatment service providers to be completed and returned within 15 days of receipt. For non-contracted providers, FP and FR, the form is completed manually and mailed every 90 days. Progress reports for linkage services are shared with the CSW as part of service coordination.

Form- GN 6154, Notification of Family Preservation Program Activity in WtW Plan

Description- Used by the GSW to notify participants in the DCFS FP Program of activities and hours authorized for inclusion in their WtW Plan. It also advises participants of the number of additional required hours of participation in WtW, if any.

Form- DCFS 5230, AB 429-Family Reunification Notification Gram to DPSS GAIN Services Workers, Parts I and II

Description- Manually initiated by the LGSW in consultation with the CSW for new referrals. Completed by the LGSW and reflects recommended WtW activities/services needed. The LGSWs email it to the Linkages Liaisons at the DPSS GAIN Regional Offices and CalWORKs District Offices.

Form- DCFS 5230, Part III

Description- Completed by the CSW when informing DPSS of FR termination or requesting an extension. The FR GSWs email it to the Linkages Liaisons at the CalWORKs District Offices.

Form- DCFS 5122, DCFS Referral Notice

Description- Pre-populated form generated by the DCFS computer system used by CSWs to screen families, caretaker relatives, and individuals, for potential eligibility for CalWORKs or General Relief, and by LGSWs to screen for Medi-Cal or CalFresh. If potentially eligible, refer the families/individuals to apply at the corresponding CalWORKs District Office. Applications shall be processed as immediate need.