1440 Substance Use Disorder

GAIN

1440 Substance Use Disorder

Release Date

03/02/2026

Section Heading

Purpose

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s)

This release provides Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)/Refugee Employment Program (REP), GAIN Services Workers (GSWs), and Contracted Case Managers (CCMs), with instructions on processing cases for participants in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) activities.

What changed?

CalWORKs 60-Month Time Clock (MTC)
Client Engagement and Navigation Services (CENS)
Telephonic Signature
Termination of GN 6137, Clinical Assessment Activity form

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

Policy

SUD services are provided to participants to remove barriers that may interfere with their ability to obtain and/or maintain employment. All participants are to be offered SUD services. It is essential that the participant is informed at every opportunity of the numerous services available, despite any language obstacles. A participant can be identified as having a SUD service need through self-disclosure during the appraisal and the Online CalWORKs Appraisal Tool (OCAT), observation, or via the screening form GN 6140A, Screening for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Instructions for GAIN Staff Use Only. Once CalWORKs eligibility is established, participants with a need for SUD services will be expedited into GAIN so that they can be referred to a County-contracted treatment services provider. SUD services are included in the participant’s Welfare-to-Work (WtW) plan which may include but are not limited to Mental Health (MH), Domestic Violence (DV), Learning Disability (LD), and/or Family Stabilization (FS) to assist them in overcoming barriers to employment and obtaining self-sufficiency.

Background

N/A

Definitions

CENS Referral

A referral to a SUD CENS area office for a SUD Clinical Assessment (CLA) when a participant is screened by the GSW/CCM, and the score reflects a SUD need. The CENS counselor will provide a CLA appointment to the Case-Carrying GSW/CCM.

Clinical Assessment (CLA)

CLA is conducted by the County-contracted SUD provider to determine if there is a need for SUD treatment services.

CalWORKs Clinical Assessor

A CalWORKs County-contracted Clinical Assessor determines if there is a need for SUD treatment services.

Post 60-Month Time Limit

A participant who has exhausted the CalWORKs 60-Month Time Limit prior to requesting SUD services may be referred to a CLA and subsequent treatment services to be evaluated for an extender, if applicable.

Reverse Referral (RR)

A RR is used by the contracted SUD provider whenever a participant begins receiving treatment services at their facility without receiving a direct referral from the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). The SUD provider informs the GSW/CCM by sending the CalWORKs Treatment/Services Verification (PA 1923) form, also known as the RR to the PA 1923 Centralized Unit to determine eligibility.

Satisfactory Participation

Satisfactory participation means complying with the activities and hours identified in the WtW plan, which includes SUD services, and is required unless Good Cause is established.

Specialized Supportive Services (SSS) Referral

A MH, SUD, LD, FS, and/or DV referral is provided to a WtW participant by a GSW/CCM when a barrier has been identified.

SSS Screening Tool

The GN 6140A form is used to screen for SSS needs at CalWORKs application, redetermination, GAIN appraisal/orientation, and vocational assessment.

Substance Use Disorder Services

CLA, case management, residential treatment/rehabilitation services, employment counseling or individual counseling services, provisions of Community Service Jobs and other appropriate services.

Supportive Services

Participants may receive supportive services, such as childcare payments, transportation funds, and/or work-related expenses, for SUD services.

Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Activity

WtW activities are designed to help participants successfully achieve their employment goals. Some examples of WtW activities include appraisal, Family Stabilization, Focus 360, and vocational education.

Requirements

N/A

Verification Docs

N/A

Attachments

N/A

DPSS ePolicy

NAVIGATION