DPSS ePolicy

Revision of existing policy and/or procedure(s)

What changed?

Procedures have been revised to refer to the current California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) term and process, removal of 24/48-Month Time Clock (MTC) language, inclusion of 60-MTC, and ePolicy reference.

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

The Family Stabilization (FS) Program allows a participant to attend FS activities that address barriers to Welfare-to-Work (WtW) participation on a full or part-time basis without being subject to WtW minimum hourly participation requirements.  Conversely, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) regulations prohibit a stand-alone remedial education or English-as-a-Second Language activity and an education/training program that does not lead to employment within 12 months.  FS activities that do not call for federal exemption from WtW activities, but are allowed under Assembly Bill (AB) 74, are not consistent with Refugee Employment Program (REP) based on federal ORR regulations.

Effective January 15, 2015, FS services were added to the REP/Refugee Employment Acculturation Services contract to allow eligible CalWORKs REP cases with participation in FS activities, without participation in other activities consistent with ORR regulations, to remain in REP.  Participation in FS activities includes Domestic Violence (DV), Homeless and Housing, Mental Health (MH) Treatment, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment, or other available stabilization services (either stand-alone or in concurrence with a REP activity). 

If at any point a Refugee Case Manager (RCM) learns that a CalWORKs REP participant screens positive for, or self-identifies with any destabilizing barrier, the RCM must explain the FS Program and follow the FS Program policy (refer to Administrative Release [AR] 6283, GAIN Family Stabilization Program, policy dated December 22, 2014).  Should a CalWORKs approved REP participant decide to participate in one or more activities allowed under the FS Program, the participant’s case is to be updated accordingly in CalSAWS.  In addition, the RCM is to follow the case management procedures provided herein.

With the passing of Senate Bill 1232, previously established WtW 24-MTC that eliminated “core” vs “non-core” distinction for WtW activities by allowing an educationally focused plan for longer than 12-month is fully eliminated as of May 2022.

Family Stabilization (FS)

The program/activity to address WtW participants and/or their family’s
destabilizing situations/barriers.

Destabilizing Situations/ Barriers

Destabilizing situations can include, but are not limited to:

1. Homelessness or imminent risk of homelessness;
2. Lack of safety due to Domestic Violence;
3. Untreated or undertreated behavioral needs, including Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder related needs; and/or
4. Other non-medical needs.

Family Stabilization (FS)/ Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Plan

Similar to the WTW 2, Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignments 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 RCM 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 utilized for participants enrolled in the FS Program.  Specifically, RCMs are to have more frequent contact with participants, especially upon initial acceptance into FS services.  Examples of ICM may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Ensure that each family understands the program and services available;
2. Provide prompt referrals to appropriate and available community services needed to assist the family in being involved concurrently;
3. Develop a FS/WtW Plan to assist the family in regaining stability and ultimately entering into a WtW Plan;
4. Frequent and on-going contact with each family, ranging from daily to weekly or less often, depending on their level of need and progress in FS, via phone and/or in-person, along with service providers to determine the effectiveness of service provision;
5. Assess regular progress toward FS/WtW Plan goals and make the necessary changes to improve the family’s success in meeting these goals; and
6. 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 which may include home visits.

Participant Eligibility

All CalWORKs Assistance Units (AU)/households that contain individuals who are required to participate in the WtW Program are eligible for FS services.  This includes CalWORKs AU/households in which the only adult is:

1. Non-compliant;
2. Sanctioned; or
3. A recent non-citizen entrant.

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

Participant Ineligibility

Participants are not Participants are not eligible under the following circumstances:

1. CalWORKs AUs that do not include a work-eligible adult who is required to participate in WtW;
2. Cases where all adults have exceeded the CalWORKs 60-Month Time Limit;
3. Drug and fleeing felons;
4. Ineligible non-citizens;
5. Non-needy caretaker relatives; and
6. Adults receiving Social Security Supplemental Income.

Barrier Identification

Destabilizing situations/barriers may be identified at the time of Appraisal or at any other point in time during participation in WtW activities.

FS Services

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

1. DV;
2. Homeless and Housing;
3. MH Treatment; and
4. SUD Treatment.

Participant Option (Accept / Decline)

FS eligible participants who identify with a barrier have the option to either accept FS services or to decline/waive 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 or not the participant may qualify for an exemption, or if 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.