Title
Receive an oral report regarding the implementation of enhanced self sufficiency support efforts as authorized by SB 1041 (the California Budget Act of 2012) and efforts to meet California's Work Participation Rate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that Health and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors receive an oral report from the Department of Social Services on the implementation of enhanced self sufficiency support efforts as authorized by SB 1041 (the California Budget Act of 2012) and efforts to meet California's Work Participation Rate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
SB 1041 shortened the number of months CalWORKs parents can participate in the Welfare to Work (WTW) program from 48 to 24. With the implementation of the new WTW 24-Month Time clock, came the addition of new valuable services/resources to support families in moving towards self sufficiency.
Throughout the State, CalWORKs families began being impacted by the new WTW 24-Month Time Clock in January 2015 (two years after the new law took effect in January 2013). Monterey County families will begin to be impacted later this year. When a family reaches their WTW 24-month time limit, CalWORKs grants are reduced and the family is no longer eligible for additional supports available through the CalWORKs employment services program (wage subsidies, transportation and ancillary assistance, CalWORKs employment case management). Child care is available for working CalWORKs families whether or not they have reached the WTW 24-Month time limit and can continue for up to 24 months after their CalWORKs is discontinued.
SB 1041 also put into place two significant opportunities for extending the WTW 24-Month time clock for CalWORKs families: The first opportunity extends the 24 month clock for families who meet participation requirements by completing the required 35 hours of allowable activities for two parent families and 30 hours per week for all others for each month f...
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