To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Child Support Services Regarding Continued Access to the State of California’s Child Support Enforcement System
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services Deputy Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with the California Department of Child Support Services regarding continued access to the State of California’s Child Support Enforcement System for a period of 36 months from the date of execution; and
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services Deputy Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with the California Department of Child Support Services, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Services - Contracts unit with one fully executed, certified copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to applicable local, state and federal requirements, individuals receiving, or applying for, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Cal-Learn (CalWORKs) and Medi-Cal program benefits must provide information regarding non-custodial, or absent, parents of aided children to the California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). Such information, which is kept in the Child Support Enforcement System, is utilized by DCSS to obtain federal reimbursement of the funds used to support the CalWORKs and Medi-Cal programs.
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services (DHHS - Social Services) utilizes the information contained in the Child Support Enforcement System to ensure the proper calculation of CalWORKs benefits provided to individuals and families residing in Humboldt County. The attached memorandum of understanding with DCSS will allow DHHS - Social Services to continue to access the Child Support Enforcement System for a period of 36 months from the date of execution.
Accordingly, DHHS - Social Services recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS - Social Services Deputy Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with DCSS regarding continued access to the State of California’s Child Support Enforcement System for a period of 36 months from the date of execution. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Social Services Deputy Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with DCSS, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in accessing the State of California’s Child Support Enforcement System.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with the attached memorandum of understanding with DCSS regarding continued access to the State of California’s Child Support Enforcement System. However, the information shared is utilized by DCSS to obtain federal reimbursement of the funds used to support the CalWORKs and Medi-Cal programs, and DHHS utilizes this same information to ensure proper calculation of benefits.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approval of the attached memorandum of understanding with DCSS will not impact current staffing levels.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached memorandum of understanding with DCSS regarding continued access to the State of California’s Child Support Enforcement System. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will severely limit DHHS - Social Services’ ability to complete eligibility casework for the CalWORKs program.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Child Support Services Regarding Continued Access to the State of California’s Child Support Enforcement System
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-22
Meeting of: 2/23/2021
File No.: 21-173