DPSS ePolicy

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

Family Stabilization (FS) provides intensive case management (ICM) and services to participants and their families who are experiencing an identified barrier that destabilizes the family and interferes with the participant's ability to participate in Welfare-to-Work (WtW) activities.

• Participants enrolled in FS are not subject to the WtW minimum hourly participation requirements.      

The passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 74 resulted in a new state-mandated CalWORKs WtW activity, FS, which became effective January 2014. 

Family Stabilization

The program/activity to address WtW participants and/or their families' destabilizing situations/barriers.

Destabilizing Situations/Barriers

Destabilizing situations can include, but are not limited to:  

• Homelessness or imminent risk of homelessness;  
• Lack of safety due to domestic violence;     
• Untreated or undertreated behavioral needs, including mental health or substance abuse-related needs, and/or     
• Other non-medical needs.

FS Care Coordinators

Department of Mental Health (DMH) staff who are co-located at a GAIN Regional Office for the purpose of providing additional support to FS GAIN Services Workers (GSWs)/Contracted Case Managers (CCMs), Homeless Supportive Services GSW/CCM, or Family Preservation/Family Reunification GSW/CCM, and participants enrolled in FS. (Two FS Care Coordinators are assigned to GAIN Regions; one to Region IV and one to Region V. The need for additional Care Coordinators will be evaluated.)

FS/WtW Plan

Similar to the WtW2 Form, the GN 6392, Family Stabilization/WtW Plan Agreement Form records the requirements and details of a participant's FS activity. The FS/WtW Plan allows the FS GSW to develop a comprehensive plan that assists the family in resolving the identified barriers.

Intensive Case Management (ICM)

An increased level and intensity of case management is utilized for participants enrolled in the FS Program. Specifically, FS GSWs/CCMs are to have more frequent contact with participants, primarily upon initial acceptance into FS Services. Examples of ICM may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ensure that each family understands the program and services available.      
• Provide prompt referrals to appropriate and available community services needed to assist the family in being involved concurrently.    
• Develop an FS/WtW Plan to assist the family in regaining stability and ultimately entering a WtW plan.  
• Frequent and ongoing contact with each family, ranging from daily to weekly or less often, depending on level of need and progress in FS, via phone and/or in-person, along with service providers, to determine the effectiveness of service provision.      
• Assess regular progress toward FS/WtW plan goals and make the necessary changes to improve the family's success in achieving them. 
• Provide WtW program exemption, program deferral, Good Cause, and/or any other recommendations.

Make every effort to engage families who are not making adequate progress, including through home visits.

Participant Eligibility

All assistance units (AUs)/households that include individuals required to participate in the WtW program are eligible for FS services. Eligibility applies to AUs/households in which the only adult is:

• Non-compliant;
• Sanctioned; or
• A recent non-citizen entrant.

FS services are not limited to the aided or work-eligible adult and should address FS issues for children in the AU/household and for ineligible unaided AU/household members.

Participant Ineligibility

Participants are not eligible under the following circumstances:  

• AUs that do not include a work-eligible adult who is required to participate in WtW;  
• Cases where all adults have exceeded the 60-month CalWORKs time limit;
  
• Fleeing felons;   
• Ineligible non-citizens;   
• Non-needy caretaker relatives; and    
• Adults receiving Social Security Supplemental Security Income.

Barrier Identification

The GSW/CCM may identify destabilizing situations or barriers at the time of Appraisal or at any point during participation in WtW activities.

FS Services

The State mandates that the following services be provided through the FS Program: 

• Domestic Violence;    
• Homeless and Housing;    
• Mental Health (MH) Treatment; and    
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment.

Participant Option (Accept/Decline)

FS-eligible participants who identify a barrier may accept or decline FS Services. This designation must be recorded on the GN 6393, Request for Family Stabilization Services Part I or Waiver of Family Stabilization Services Part II Form.

Failure to participate in FS

Participants enrolled in FS are not subject to the WtW minimum hourly participation requirements. However, FS participants must comply with the requirements of the FS/WtW Plan.
 
Part of this process should consider whether the participant may qualify for an exemption or whether FS services remain appropriate for the participant.

MH and SUD Treatment Services for Children

Children of participants enrolled in FS are eligible to receive MH and SUD treatment services.

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