Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services or designee to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Child Support Services allowing select individuals within the Community Benefits branch of the Department of Social Services to access the Child Support Enforcement System to the mutual administrative benefit of both parties; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social services or designee to sign up to three amendments to this Memorandum of Understanding where the amendments do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services or designee to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Child Support Services allowing select individuals within the Community Benefits branch of the Department of Social Services to access the Child Support Enforcement System to the mutual administrative benefit of both parties; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social services or designee to sign up to three amendments to this Memorandum of Understanding where the amendments do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY:
The Child Support Enforcement System (CSE) system is the result of a federal and state partnership established to ensure that children receive the financial and medical support to which they are entitled from both parents. The system is used by the state to locate noncustodial parents, establish legal paternity, and obtain and enforce child and spousal support orders. In addition, the CSE system serves as the official system of record for all child and spousal support payments received by custodial parents from noncustodial parents.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) authorizes designated Community Benefits Branch staff, who have successfully completed the required background checks and training, to access the CSE system for the limited purpose of obtaining child and spousal support information necessary to make benefit eligibility determinations.
DISCUSSION:
The Third-Party Access (TPA) MOU authorizes the Community Benefits Branch to access the CSE system. This access is essential to the branch's ongoing ability to effectively serve the community. By allowing designated staff to retrieve verification of child support information directly from the CSE system, the MOU reduces the burden on residents to obtain and provide this documentation themselves. The agreement also clearly defines the scope of services, outlines the responsibilities of the Community Benefits Branch, establishes recusal requirements, details security provisions, and specifies the appropriate use of the system.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This MOU does not allocate any funding to the County of Monterey, and there is no cost to the county.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This MOU supports the Well-Being and Quality of Life Strategic Plan Goal adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing the Community Benefits Branch with an additional resource to better serve the County’s most vulnerable residents. Access to the CSE system enables staff to process case actions more efficiently, reducing the time customers wait to receive the benefits to which they are entitled. Additionally, it lessens the burden on customers to provide verification of support income, as designated staff are able to obtain this information on their behalf. This streamlined process promotes more accurate and timely eligibility determinations for the entitlement programs offered.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
__X_Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Aaron McDougal, Management Analyst II, x8558
Approved by: Roderick W. Franks, Director, x4430
Attachments: Memorandum of Understanding
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.