DPSS ePolicy

The purpose of this document is to provide revisions to the CalWORKs Home Visiting Program Policy.

NOTE: Changes are shown highlighted in gray throughout the document.

The Home Visiting Program (HVP) allows counties to provide home visiting services to a member of a CalWORKs assistance unit who is pregnant or a parent/caretaker relative of a child aged 0-36 months at the time of enrollment. Cases can be sanctioned, child-only, or exempt. Individuals who have applied for CalWORKs are eligible for HVP while CalWORKs approval is pending. If the CalWORKs application is denied after HVP enrollment, the denied applicant may remain enrolled in HVP. CalWORKs, Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN), CalWORKs Refugee employment Program (REP), and Cal-Learn participants are eligible. HVP hours count towards the GAIN required participation hours. Participation in HVP is voluntary and participants can enroll at any time within the window of eligibility. Participants already enrolled and attending other GAIN activities may also request to participate in HVP. Clients may request to participate in the program as an Exempt-Volunteer using the Caring for a Child 23 Months or Younger exemption. The exemption is requested by completing and signing a CW 2186A, CalWORKs Exemption Request Form.

Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) has partnered with the Department of Public Health (DPH) to provide home visiting services to CalWORKs/GAIN/REP CalWORKs participants. Three home visiting programs are offered through HVP: Healthy Families America (HFA), Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), and Parents As Teachers (PAT). DPH operates a designated HVP telephone number, through which participants can begin the enrollment process. DPH initiates referrals to home visitor providers.

To meet the specific needs of the parents, enrollees are eligible to receive up to $1,000 in Material Goods for the duration of HVP. The Material Goods funds can be used for items related to the care, health, and safety of the child and family. Approved items include, but are not limited to child safety kits, car seats, appliance repairs, adaptive equipment for children with disabilities, and resources related to child and family language and literacy needs. Material Goods are processed by the home visitor.

As a result of Assembly Bill 1811, the State established a new CalWORKs Home Visiting Program (HVP) and Senate Bill 80, modified the eligibility criteria. The purpose of this voluntary program is to support positive health, development, and well-being outcomes for pregnant and parenting women, families, and infants born into poverty, expanding their future educational, economic, and financial capability opportunities, and improving the likelihood that they will exit poverty.

Apparent Eligibility

An individual who has applied for and is eligible for CalWORKs aid as defined in the MPP 40-129.11; “Apparent Eligibility” means that the information provided on the Statement of Facts and information otherwise available to the County indicates that the applicant would be eligible for aid if the information on the Statement of Facts were verified.

Contracted Case Manager (CCM)

A contracted employee that directly provides case management services to GAIN or REP Welfare-to-Work (WtW) participants.

Electronic File Transfer (EFT)

A secure way of communicating between the GAIN staff and the Home Visiting providers.

Healthy Families America (HFA)

An evidence-based home visitation program model applying an infant mental health approach dedicated to uplifting children and families. HFA targets pregnant mothers and new mothers within the first three months after a child’s birth. Service provision continues until the child enters kindergarten.

Home Visiting Nurse (HVN)

An HVN is a PHN employed by DPH to deliver NFP services to CalWORKs/WtW participants. HVNs are co-located at GAIN Regions.

Home Visitor

Staff that conduct home visits via one of the three Home Visiting Models (HFA, NFP, and PAT) for the Home Visiting Program. HVNs are home visitors.

Nurse Family Partnership (NFP)

An evidence-based home visitation community health program model that targets high-risk, low-income mothers pregnant with their first child. Participating mothers are partnered with a PHN early in pregnancy and receive in-home support and guidance through their child’s second birthday.

Parents As Teachers (PAT)

An evidence-based home visitation model promoting optimal early development, learning and health of young children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers through a comprehensive system of supports and innovative solutions.

To comply with requirements from the State, a voluntary participant must meet both of the following:

The individual is:

• Pregnant; or
  
  
• A parent/caretaker relative of a child less than 36 months of age at the time of enrollment.

AND

The individual is:

• A member of the CalWORKs Assistance Unit; or
  
  
• The parent or caretaker relative of a child-only case; or
  
  
• A pregnant individual who has applied for CalWORKs aid; or
  
  
• An individual who is apparently eligible for CalWORKs aid.

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