To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair to execute, three originals of the MOU between the California Statewide Automated Welfare System; and
2. Direct Clerk of the Board to route three fully executed copies with original signature of the MOU to the Deputy Director, Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services Branch for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160 Budget Unit 511)
DISCUSSION:
In October of 2017, the federal Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services mandated that California implement a single system for eligibility determinations and benefit calculation regarding public assistance programs. This mandate called for all 58 counties to transition to the CalSAWS system by the end of 2023 in order for the state to continue to receive Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for CalSAWS, and to comply with state and federal technology architecture standards. All counties have been working together since January 2018 to create the CalSAWS.
At this time, the Department of Health and Human Services Social Services Branch seeks Board of Supervisors’ approval of the MOU with CalSAWS. The purpose of this MOU is to define areas of understanding relating to the agreement between the CalSAWS and the county regarding the system agreement associated with the CalSAWS and other areas of mutual interests. It is conditioned that the consortium enters into this same agreement with all other California counties.
Background
On May 30, 2007 (item C-19), the Board approved the MOU with California Statewide Automated Welfare System Consortium IV (C-IV). The C-IV provides eligibility determination and benefit calculation for public assistance programs.
Since 2010, Humboldt County has been one of the 39 counties that have shared use of C-IV. Eighteen other counties used the CalWORKS Information Network (CalWIN) System, while Los Angeles was the only county in California that used the Los Angeles Eligibility, Automated Determination, Evaluation and Reporting System (LEADER) to determine benefits for public assistance programs.
On July 29, 2011, the State of California presented to the FNS and CMS, its plans for reducing the complexity of the eligibility system configuration in California. Those plans included taking the necessary steps to consolidate the existing CalSAWS Consortia from three to two systems. The recommendation was to merge the Los Angeles County and C-IV Systems. In September 2011, AB 16 passed. AB 16 called for “the migration of the 39 C-IV Counties into a single system jointly designed by the 39 counties plus Los Angeles County”.
Since AB 16 passed, Los Angeles has completed migration to LRS (Leader Replacement System), and an LRS/C-IV Executive Leadership Committee was formed to merge LRS and C-IV into one system: California Automated Consortium Eligibility System (CalACES). On July 11, 2017 (item C-24) the Board of Supervisors approved an MOU with CalACES. Migration to CalACES was due to be completed in early 2020. The new FNS and CMS mandate now calls for all 58 California counties to use the CalSAWS system.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
All costs relating to the migration and usage of the CalSAWS system are paid through Social Services Fund 1160, Administration Budget Unit 511 and will be included in the proposed budget for FY 2019-20. There is no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board may choose not to approve the contract with the California Statewide Automated Welfare System. This is not recommended. The Department would recommend the approval of the contract to allow continued migration to CalSAWS and ongoing support in Humboldt County after full implementation.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding between the California Statewide Automated Welfare System and the County of Humboldt
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-19, C-24
Meeting of: 05/30/07, 07/11/17
File No.: 19-323